Spring cleaning time for Elvis (1947 DeSoto Custom Sedan)

[Racer-X-]

Well, spring cleaning first, then spring painting, then installing the newly painted springs with the CalTracks traction bars.

 

This will be kind of a "project build" thread. 

 

We're at the point now of installing the CalTracks bars on Elvis, and I need to recondition the rear leaf springs for that.  I pulled the right side leaf spring pack off, removed the grease cover and found a big mess there.  Also, I've got new shackle bushings, but I didn't have the right bushings for the front spring eyes where they mount to the frame.

 

Thanks to @Sniperhere who got me the part numbers for those.  That was discussed over on this thread:

 

None of the local parts stores had them in stock.  So I called my nearby DeSoto Parts department, AMS NOS over in Fairmount Georgia.  Anthony there had some aftermarket equivalent to the 306448 bushings in stock.  So I headed over there to pick them up. 

 

As I'm walking in to see Anthony there and get the new bushings, I literally tripped over a pair of leaf springs that looked oddly similar. I asked about them. They were aftermarket springs for the 1949-1952 models of Chrysler cars, and they were virtually identical to what I had. I actually had the original spring with me, and we compared. All dimensions matched. These were designed with round plastic slip pads, and not for grease covers. They were slightly rusty (surface rust), but looked in good shape. The bushings were a bit dry rotted. They didn't look over 20 years old. Dayton 78-425. The paper labels were still on them and still readable.

 

So, I negotiated a price for the used ones (new ones of that part number are still available, BTW), and ended up getting bushings and two new spring packs.

Those are rated at 850 pounds each. I'm considering adding 1 upper leaf (not the eye leaf) from the original spring pack for a bit more support and stiffness. One complaint with Elvis is that the rear sags with 3 passengers in the back seat, and luggage in the trunk.

 

Here's my parts and supplies laid out.

 

 

[Los_Control]

I was going to get some springs reconditioned about 16 years ago. I had a Ford 1 ton work van. It lived a rough life as original owner was a plumber, 2nd owner was a contractor, I was 3rd owner and a carpenter ..... The springs were literally flat.

The shop I went to in Albuquerque Was a spring shop & did this type of work all day long on semi trucks. ...... This gives me confidence in their quality of work.

The price was incredibly cheap. ...... I would drop the van off, they would remove the springs, re-arch them, re-install them and the price was less then $300.

 

In the end I was always too busy working to give up the van for a day, it did ride like a Cadillac. .... Just seems like it is not a big job for those setup for it.

Glad you found some good ones.

 

[Sniper]

I watched an episode of Wheeler Dealers, I think, where they did a re=arch of a set of leaf springs.  I forget the exact details but they heated the spring up to remove the memory and I forget how they tempered, or whatever, after that.  Apparently, there is a cheaper way to reach, but it doesn't last.  I think it's just bending it cold, but don;t hold me to that.  Bot the show I mentioned but relevant