1947 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible

D

DaleM

Junior Member
I'm trying to complete the overhaul of the convertible top mechanism on our 1947 Super Deluxe and have hit a dilemma. Beside each of the lift cylinders is an assist spring that attaches to the tops frame, where do they attach at the bottom? It appears that a bracket may be missing. Any thoughts or illustrations would be extremely helpful.
 
I recollect that they are attached to some kind of bracket attached to the floor pan. This was based on a picture I saw in one the Ford manuals. Will try to take a look at the manuals I have to see if I can come up with the picture. This is how I mounted mine and they seem to work ok. I would take a pic for you on what I did, but I would have to pull the panels apart to do so.


Again, this was a guess and could be wrong


Edit- I found the picture. It's in the Ford V8 Service Bulletins 1941-48 Complete, Page 317, Subject # 50600. It shows the spring but not what it is fastened to, but the spring points straight down
 
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There is a place in Punta Gorda, Fl. that has all the
top parts. It's called hydro electrics. I'll look up the
phone number. G.M. 1-941-639-0437
 
The springs were considered to be a counter balance springs.The top will work just as well with out them.They do very little.I have done a few of these cars with out the springs with no problems. Dave Collette
 
Hydro electric could not help with the springs or illustrations and I did find an original set of springs at Gene's Hot Rod Shop in Florida. I have used the top and found it works fine without the springs in place but we would like to finish the car as original as possible. Dave do you have any pictures of the panels at the bottom of the lift cylinder that would show the attachment point?
 
I found a set of counter balance springs from Don Baxter in Lawerence Kansas. He had some made when he was restoring his '46 convertible. I don't know if he sold them all. I never tried to raise or lower the top on my '47 without them. The lower end is attached to a sheet metal tab on the floorboard' with a hole for the end of the spring. I assume the springs were important because they are sturdy and the top mechanism is designed for them. They make raising and lowering the top, particularly when trying to latch the top to the windshield frame.
 
On my 48 (which I have owned since 55) there is a L bracket attached to the front of the wheel well about even with floor.
 
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