Craig, that's what I thought, but the 76 has one exactly the same. What are the odds thatnI end up with another maverick that has the same "incorrect" horn as me? Im ok with it. I did look through some old pics and found one with the original horn, it was different at one point. That is the Bonneville horn like I thought. Frank, youre funny! The best I can do is photoshop the pic so it looks blue and leave it black. Then noone will know for sure.
Started the next phase of this project, control arm bushings and spring perches. I got everything removed from the left side today. I can't get the old stuff off the control arm. I could grind off the bolts for the perches but I would still need someone to get the shaft out of the control arm, so I'm leaving it all and taking it to a shop.
Wow, you got the spring out?? Seems to be a common problem for people over the years..were you surprised at how long it was, when you removed the compressor?
"For me, perfectionism is a curse. Things rarely go as I plan and I end up setteling. Not this time." ......
Dave, it's still in the compressor. Im not sure I want to take it out. My plan was to cut a half coil out, but I don't think I have what I need to do that. I may just put it back, once the new hardware is installed on the control arm. If I do decide to cut, I will take it out.
Dropped the left control arm off at a local shop to have the old bushings removed. I will pick it up tomorrow. Wont have time to work on it again until Sunday.
Made good progress with the upper control arms and springs. Picked up the left side from the shop and put the new shaft in. It is a tricky process, but done correctly, it isn't that bad. Got it lubed up real good and installed along with the new spring perch. Then I proceeded to cut my coil spring. I researched it as much as I could stand. I was never able to get a definitive answer as to how much to cut. Looking up part numbers for springs, Ford used several different springs for all the different variations. For example a 74 with a 250 and ac used a different spring than the same car without ac. Factor in 4 engine sizes, ac, non ac, big bumper and small bumper, you have a lot of different springs out there. I was going to cut a half coil out but didnt think it would lower the car all that much. After looking at some profile pics of my car, I felt like 3" would be just fine. So I cut nearly a full coil out. After reassembly that side of the car sat less than 3/4" lower than the other. I stood on the bumper support and the cut side definatly sinks lower than the other. Under load, there was a 1 1/2 gap between the coils. With one coils almost removed I assumed it would drop about that distance. I think it is going to drop lower than that. I have 4 more springs in the yard if I need to do it again. Next I took the right side apart, it went much quicker since I knew what I was doing. I was even able to get the old shaft out. Problem was, one side of the control arm is stripped out and I will need to harvest one from my parts car. Hopefully the first one I pull is good. Here are pics of the work. Control arm back in place with the new spring perch. Cut spring. Notice the straightened area of the spring that was removed. The spring didn't sit right in the perch and had to be shifted over. The spring is about a half inch away from the tab on the perch. About to take the pressure off the compressor.
So how much was the overall drop? Do you think that gap matters? I wouldn't think so but thought I'd ask. I can't recall any time I've seen a spring rotate.
Im not sure how low it will go Kevin. Im guessing at least 3", but thats a guess. Ive been thinkibg about what to do if it goes too low, Im gonna drop the rear a little, lol. As for the gap, I think its fine, Im not worried. Just surprised that after all I read on cutting springs, I didnt see any mention about the spring not sitting in the perch right. I had it in the right place at first but the spring clearly sat crooked, so I used a flat bar and pushed it over before I set the weight back on it. Im anxious to get the motor back in to see the final result. I have 2 more sets of springs if its too aweful.
Don, I have a space in one of my springs too... I installed them 4 years ago and have been driving it three years, no issues as far as I can see... I didn't even notice it until last year when I put new brake pads on...lol...
