Measurement Needed 51 Vicky

Lakesmodified

Lakesmodified

Junior Member
So I recently purchased a 51 Vicky
I noticed something that wasn’t right at the rear spring purches, so I’m needing a measurement, to figure out if my springs are weak, or if someone decided to change the shackles to the bottom in order to raise the rear of the car. I was planning on buying new springs, but now I’m not sure if I should be dropped springs or standard springs. What I need, is the distance between the opening of the rear fender Wells to the centerline of the rear axle. I took a couple of pictures, along with the one showing that the previous owner had flipped the shackles. Mine is approximately 9.25”
I’m trying to figure out what’s the original factory measurement. Thanks in advance. Ivan
UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT LOAD PICTURES
 
Lakesmodified said:
Thanks in advance. Ivan
UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT LOAD PICTURES
Click to expand...


Here are your pictures, Ivan! DD


474821



474822



474823


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The shackle should be up…… Mark
You might have to be laying down for that to look right !!
 

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flatford8 said:
The shackle should be up…… Mark
You might have to be laying down for that to look right !!
Click to expand...

Yes, I’m aware that a previous owner flipped the shackles, what I’m looking for is the distance from the fender opening to the centerline of the axle(center of the wheel) I’m going to replace the springs, and plan to install the shackles correctly, I’m just trying to figure out how much my springs are sagging
 
If it helps, I'll measure my '51 Club Coupe on my way back from town later this morning. The car was a good original that I went through, including disassembling, cleaning, and lubing the original springs, so it should be pretty close to stock. The shackles are in the stock (up) position.
 
I just got back from my shop. My car measures 8 3/4" for that dimension. There may have been a difference of 1/16" or so from side to side, as it is a little difficult to find the exact center of the stock hubcaps, but it's very close.
 
tubman said:
I just got back from my shop. My car measures 8 3/4" for that dimension. There may have been a difference of 1/16" or so from side to side, as it is a little difficult to find the exact center of the stock hubcaps, but it's very close.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that does help a lot; mine are approximately 9.25” and that’s with the shackles reversed, so my springs have definitely sagged quite a bit. I guess I’m going to order regular height springs, since I really don’t like the back lower than the front. Thanks again
 
Ivan, here is a picture of a '51 Vicky that appears fairly stock.
As you can see, the wheel opening lip is about at the top edge
of the wheel.
The wheel is 15", so measuring down to the center of it,
you would get a measurement of about 7 1/2".

Click on picture to Enlarge ;)
.
 

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Isn't the tire mounting surface 15" in diameter? If you account for the flange that holds the tire on, it's close to what I measured.

It's pretty hard to believe that I picked up an inch and a quarter by what I did to my springs (I did not have them re-arched). Unless we know what has been done to the Victoria pictured, it's hard to know exactly what's going on. Sevety tears of use can have it's effect.
 
Going out on a limb here, but I think flipping the shackles back to normal may lower it one shackle length, might be ok
 
Lanny said:
Ivan, here is a picture of a '51 Vicky that appears fairly stock.
As you can see, the wheel opening lip is about at the top edge
of the wheel.
The wheel is 15", so measuring down to the center of it,
you would get a measurement of about 7 1/2".

Click on picture to Enlarge ;)
.
Click to expand...

Thanks, beautiful Vicky
 
Ken Henry said:
Going out on a limb here, but I think flipping the shackles back to normal may lower it one shackle length, might be ok
Click to expand...

I would think if I flipped those shackles back that the rear would be sitting about 4” lower; from my guesstimate now, after seeing what stock looks like, I would say that my springs have sagged approximately 2”
Thanks Ken
 
Ivan, here is another '51 Vicky that appears fairly stock.
The rear wheel opening lip also looks like it would line up
close to the top of the wheel.
The other Vicky with the white top, and this one with the
black top both look like they sit about the same height.
But, just looking at the pictures is the best I can do, I
don't have any actual measurements for you...sorry

Click on picture to Enlarge ;)
 

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OK, one last picture of an artists rendering of a NEW 1951 Victoria
shown in a Ford poster.
It shows the wheel opening lip of the quarter panel to also be
very close to the top of the wheel.

Click on picture to Enlarge ;)
 

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