Guys,

Thanks for the advice and info - it is much appreciated.

Mal, I looked up the spring rate in my parts book. As best I can determine, for a model 1901 without side mounts it reads:
Part no. 348377..... 1525# x 74 rate. I can't interpret that for you but for comparison my limo with sidemounts it would be Part no. 364609..... 2300# x 120 rate. Quite a difference.

Just as different chassis and bodies had different shock absorber tuning (valving), if you check the parts book you'll see that they also had different spring numbers (rates) for different body weights and passenger loadings. In earlier years Packard did quote the spring rate in the parts book so perhaps if you have a 41 parts book you could find that data for your specific chassis and body type which your spring maker would certainly need. But though I appreciate the shipping cost issue, I'd recommend buying new springs from someone like Kanter's who has already done all the work to spec them out.

The spacer you see if a cheap way to restore car riding height by compensating for spring fatigue by jacking up the coil. Though a common enough practice years back, it surely detracts from ride properties.

The front shock absorbers on my '41 120 Coupe are shot so I'm getting them rebuilt.

Also, it appears the front coil springs may be well and truely cactus as well. So I'm thinking of having some new ones made up, but before doing so are there any dimensions and specifications I need to tell the spring maker?
Like length under no load and under max load?
What is Max load?
I've heard of "spring rates" - is this info required?
Any other info needed?

I've posted a pic of one of the front coils, taken after the '41 was jacked up and with no load on the spring. Under load the springs appear to be almost fully compressed and the only thing giving either of them some room for travel is the spacer you see between the coils, both have one spacer each.

Another question - Is the spacer a cheap way of prolonging spring life? I don't want spacers if that's the case.

More photos of the springs are included in the attached link, Nos 13 to 17 and some more towards the end of the album.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ozstatman/WadesWorkshop

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Quote:

fredrickr,

A lot of work has been done but there's still a lot lot more to go. I'll be brave and stick my neck out - Guesstimate of value $4/5K max?? I know it'll be wrong!

Anyone seen this 1941 Special on eBay? Any feed back on its value? I think that this might be the perfect pre-war companion to my '56 Clipper.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching&viewitem=&item=230198996724&_trksid=p3907.m32

A 4 car garage with a work shop.(instead of a 2 car garage)
A hydraulic hoist.
New rubber moulding for my back windows

Mal,

It be pretty cold here now so my blog probably won't be updated until spring. Well unless we get Indian summer weather here then I can sneak in and get some more sanding and priming done. See I don't want to do anymore sanding and break through to bare metal. Been there with the body being bare all last winter.

FYI,
Don't us WD40 on bare body metal. It is no fun getting that stuff off?..

My wish list:

More/better lighting in the garage
Heat in garage (maybe I should look into solar panels to help save on energy cost)
Metric Wrenches (for my new iron)
Better spray guns

I can't ask for to much I already spent quit a bit on powder coating, metal work and paints.

Well I thought I would start this thread as a place where people can post what they wish Old Saint Nick would bring them this year. So lets everyone have fun with this:

My wish list:

A good set of mechanics work gloves
More lighting in the garage
A good set of body work tools (hammers, dollies, etc)
Blast Cabinet (with media)
A floor creeper that will hold my big ass
A good running 55 Two-Tone Super Clipper Hardtop or Constellation
and many more things.....