Author Topic: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro  (Read 8656 times)

Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #90 on: March 05, 2020, 04:24:10 PM »
Ok thanks Bob. Would that give the correct  finish after media blasting. That would be the option for an original set with rust etc. On a new set I would chemical strip to give the correct bare metal finish treated with T9. I guess I answered my own question regarding the original leafs especially if pitted, that painting would be the only option ad T9 on pitted springs especially after media blasting would not look correct at all. For some reason I thought that the original springs were phosphate and oil. Glad I didn't phosphate them yet!
Rust inhibitor will not effect the look in a positive way after media blasting. New clamps should not need blasting or further appearance help . A new or used clamp that has been blasted to get rust or paint off would need to be tumbled to bring it back to a more proper look. The leafs should be coated with which ever rust inhibitor used on regardless of if painted or not. The springs were a typical spring steel dark blue gray finish which looks so  dark that it is confused by many as ether black painted or phosphate .
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline bullitt68

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #91 on: March 05, 2020, 04:30:47 PM »
Rust inhibitor will not effect the look in a positive way after media blasting. New clamps should not need blasting or further appearance help . A new or used clamp that has been blasted to get rust or paint off would need to be tumbled to bring it back to a more proper look. The leafs should be coated with which ever rust inhibitor used on regardless of if painted or not. The springs were a typical spring steel dark blue gray finish which looks so  dark that it is confused by many as ether black painted or phosphate .

Thanks Bob understood. Hopefully the chemical strip of whatever paint the manufacturer uses will yield a close to original look, that can then be sprayed with T9. Since I have a few sets of used original leafs I may paint a set to see what they look like. Perhaps someone who is building a driver will be interested in an original set. If that is the case I may paint up a few sets if they turn out ok.

Now all I need is a nice set of shock plates and I am all set on the rear suspension. So far no luck on sourcing a nice set! Most parts up here are always rusted and pitted, which can be restored when being painted to some degree of success, but parts that remain bare metal are harder to find in good condition. I have tried to restore some parts and I am less than pleased with the result. Like the leaf springs I will probably paint them and see if anyone wants them, since I have so much time into these parts as it is, with evaporust bath, then media blasting, grinding, vapour blasting and then the final tumbling process,
« Last Edit: March 05, 2020, 04:38:41 PM by bullitt68 »
Mike
1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 Raven Black, 4 speed
8R02S162374, San Jose, June 5, 1968

Offline ruppstang

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #92 on: March 05, 2020, 08:16:07 PM »
I would buy the Scott Drake ones and strip off the plating. That yields a new pit free bare metal finish.

Offline bullitt68

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #93 on: March 05, 2020, 08:32:09 PM »
I would buy the Scott Drake ones and strip off the plating. That yields a new pit free bare metal finish.

Thanks Marty. By plating do you mean paint? My understanding is that they are painted black. FYI I have been researching various manufacturers/suppliers trying to find the closest to original springs, not concerned with the bottom leaf of course. So far here is the short list: If anyone has any experience with any of these springs please feel free to chime in. I do plan to strip them and refinish in bare metal.

Scott Drake (Photo 1-4)
Virgina Classic Mustangs (5-8)
JR Springs (9-12)
Eaton (No Photo)


« Last Edit: March 05, 2020, 10:33:35 PM by bullitt68 »
Mike
1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 Raven Black, 4 speed
8R02S162374, San Jose, June 5, 1968

Offline ruppstang

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #94 on: March 05, 2020, 09:48:58 PM »
Sorry I was not clear, I was talking about the spring plates. They come zinc plated.

Offline bullitt68

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #95 on: March 05, 2020, 10:30:33 PM »
Sorry I was not clear, I was talking about the spring plates. They come zinc plated.

Yes I believe that most of the aftermarket shock plates are zinc plated. NPD has the zinc plated ones and reasonable priced. I do prefer originals, but If I can't find a set of nice originals I will order some up and media blast them, then tumble etc. I also have been looking for some rear leaf shackles and no luck finding any originals yet, so I have already ordered some from NPD and will blast and tumble them to look correct

« Last Edit: March 06, 2020, 03:03:05 AM by bullitt68 »
Mike
1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 Raven Black, 4 speed
8R02S162374, San Jose, June 5, 1968

Offline bullitt68

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #96 on: March 06, 2020, 03:13:03 AM »
Just curious if anyone has seen this before. I was considering grinding down the welds and doing a clean blend, but I am not sure that the angle is correct on the ears that have been welded. Also note that I don't think this was as much a repair as it was a modification as the new ears are thicker than the original metal.
Mike
1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 Raven Black, 4 speed
8R02S162374, San Jose, June 5, 1968

Offline bullitt68

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #97 on: March 06, 2020, 03:15:58 AM »
Sorry I was not clear, I was talking about the spring plates. They come zinc plated.

Hi Marty. Have you blasted zinc plating before. I have only done it once and not sure how it turned out. Here is the NDP zinc plated shackle as well as a shackle with the wrong bolt configuration that I media blasted. How do you think it looks. Would this be an acceptable finish
« Last Edit: March 06, 2020, 03:18:47 AM by bullitt68 »
Mike
1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 Raven Black, 4 speed
8R02S162374, San Jose, June 5, 1968

Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #98 on: March 06, 2020, 05:24:39 PM »
Yes I believe that most of the aftermarket shock plates are zinc plated. NPD has the zinc plated ones and reasonable priced. I do prefer originals, but If I can't find a set of nice originals I will order some up and media blast them, then tumble etc. I also have been looking for some rear leaf shackles and no luck finding any originals yet, so I have already ordered some from NPD and will blast and tumble them to look correct
I take the zinc off by submerging in a muriatic acid bath . Three to four minutes and the zinc is gone. Then I put them in the tumbler. Less labor and better finish IMHO.
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #99 on: March 06, 2020, 05:25:25 PM »
Just curious if anyone has seen this before. I was considering grinding down the welds and doing a clean blend, but I am not sure that the angle is correct on the ears that have been welded. Also note that I don't think this was as much a repair as it was a modification as the new ears are thicker than the original metal.
Those are not worth any time spent on them given the modification.
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #100 on: March 06, 2020, 06:43:54 PM »
Just curious if anyone has seen this before. I was considering grinding down the welds and doing a clean blend, but I am not sure that the angle is correct on the ears that have been welded. Also note that I don't think this was as much a repair as it was a modification as the new ears are thicker than the original metal.

No - Too easy to find others typically rather than go through all that work. I guess for everyone else except for the guy that made those  ::)
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline bullitt68

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #101 on: March 07, 2020, 01:35:33 AM »
Those are not worth any time spent on them given the modification.

Thanks Bob. I can ad them to the reject pile that is constantly growing
Mike
1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 Raven Black, 4 speed
8R02S162374, San Jose, June 5, 1968

Offline bullitt68

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #102 on: March 07, 2020, 01:37:45 AM »
No - Too easy to find others typically rather than go through all that work. I guess for everyone else except for the guy that made those  ::)

Yes the guy who made those did a bunch of welding and reinforcement on the car. He also added washers to the floor shock mounts, and welded in traction bar hardware etc
Mike
1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 Raven Black, 4 speed
8R02S162374, San Jose, June 5, 1968

Offline RoyceP

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #103 on: March 07, 2020, 08:38:29 AM »
That type of reinforcement was necessary to delay failure of the parts when using air shocks. Very common on these cars back in the day. Notice I said delay rather than prevent.


Yes the guy who made those did a bunch of welding and reinforcement on the car. He also added washers to the floor shock mounts, and welded in traction bar hardware etc
1968 W code 427 Cougar XR-7 GTE Feb 23 Dearborn C6 / 3.50 open
1968 R code 428CJ Cougar XR-7 May 13 Dearborn C6 / 3.91 T - Lock

Offline bullitt68

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Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro
« Reply #104 on: March 07, 2020, 12:29:08 PM »
That type of reinforcement was necessary to delay failure of the parts when using air shocks. Very common on these cars back in the day. Notice I said delay rather than prevent.

Yes good point Royce. I had air shocks on my cars back in the day. It was standard procedure. Air shocks, slotted mags or Cragers, headers, aluminum intake, Access ignition etc were immediate mods made on the purchase of any car.
Mike
1968 Mustang Fastback GT 390 Raven Black, 4 speed
8R02S162374, San Jose, June 5, 1968