Leaf springs and suspension bushings

[Dino]

I have no clue how to check if the leaf springs on my car are in good shape or not.  They look 40+ years old but no cracks or much rust.  I can only assume they have flattened out over time so I'm wondering if I should replace them or not.

I'm going to install Edelbrock IAS classic shocks front and back and all new bushings up front.  I want rubber for comfort and I know someone posted a link to a kit a while ago (pst?).  So should I buy new leafs as well or wait until the rest is done and see how she rolls?  Right now she feels very stable but unless I'm driving on smooth roads (very rare in Mi) I feel and hear a lot of banging.  My wife told me last week that r/t in my case stands for rattle trap....I can't say she's wrong.   

Which leafs are best for rough asphalt and daily driving stuff.  No racing whatsoever.

[twodko]

Hey Dino

I'd ask ya what's shakin' but.....well no.

I was having similar noisy problems as well. What my shop discovered was the upper rear shock mount bolts were lose and the gas tank straps were lose too. They tightened things up and now golden silence. Worth a look. Tell me what you find.
Also a buddy of mine, 68x426 member here, suggested I spray the leaf spring, shackles and bushings with silicon. Turned out not to be the problem but couldn't hurt.

[Dino]

Hey Dino

I'd ask ya what's shakin' but.....well no.

I was having similar noisy problems as well. What my shop discovered was the upper rear shock mount bolts were lose and the gas tank straps were lose too. They tightened things up and now golden silence. Worth a look. Tell me what you find.
Also a buddy of mine, 68x426 member here, suggested I spray the leaf spring, shackles and bushings with silicon. Turned out not to be the problem but couldn't hurt.

I'll be sure to check all those things as well.  I plan on taking it to my mechanic soon to have the new shocks installed, fix a minor trans leak and install my TQ carb.  I'm in the middle of reassembling it now.

Funny though, I was cruising around early this morning and came onto a newly paved road, doing 55 with 2.96 gears and it was dead silent purring like a kitten!  Then one mile later, back on the average Michigan road, it feels like you're gonna lose half the drivetrain!

[twodko]

And you weren't drinkin' or burning some bush.....