Hot Rods Here's what I've been up to! 57 Ford

Nice. I did my alignment at a friend's shop after hours. The eve of my 2016 heart attack.. not that had anything to do with it.

One thing I should have done was to wait until the car was on the rack before I tightened the lower arm bolts. I tore one of my bushings since I tightened it when it was unloaded.

To get the upper arm to move (moving shims around), I had to jack it up under the lower arm so it would move. A big pry bar is essential.

Keep an eye on the shim stack up. The manual sez no more than 5/8". On these Fords you add shims to make the camber more +. The caster moves the same way.
Take it for a road test first. If the car doesn't pull to either side, leave the caster alone and work the camber. Your toe being badly off may hamper this. I should have measured the old tie rods and set the new ones the same length. I think my car was toed out about 3/4". Badly toed IN will make the car essentially un-driveable.

 

Well little update. Changed front tire size to a 185/65, aligned it myself but wasn't happy with it also had to clearance the lower control arm a little to clear the rotor. I took it to a shop yesterday and had it "aligned"..well let's just say it handles ok but it's dog legging...ugh so plan C is coming..

 

Bent rear end?

 

Maybe from the factory. The use of degrees to measure toe, something new to me.

 

The scallops make it a stand out.

 

I believe I'd be doing some basic measuring on that rear end from axle flange to axle flange, top and bottom, front to rear. Has something been welded on an axle tube?

 

They were a tough car. Ford got 2 of them and put 50,000 miles on them in 3 weeks non stop. Averaging 108mph including pit stops.

 

No it was incorrectly aligned by using computer..the rear end isn't bend nor are the spring bushings wore out.
In my area it's almost impossible to find a place that can align old cars.

 

Not sure as to what I saw back a page but I think you may have your heater hoses hooked up backwards. But I'm tired and going to bed! I'll check tomorrow.

 

They aren't hooked up at all.

 

Finally replaced the p***enger door gl*** and put the side molding back on!

 

Local cruise tonight

 

good stuff man! the stance on this thing is soo tough!

 

Thank you!

 

Another car show today! And on the 6th we welcome our baby boy to the world, Dallas Thomas Carr

 

Went to a cruise in a couple hours away, ran the car hard down the freeway there and back!

 

^^^^Nice!

 

The SHOP TICKET (FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT) is incorrect.

It needs a THRUST ANGLE ALIGNMENT whereas the solid rear axle is determined to be square with the frame (and if not why including a possibly bent frame). You then string the front axle off the rear axle to ensure the car will track correctly.

A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT is performed on an adjustable rear suspension (independent), squared and stringed to the front axle to endure correct tracking.

The truth of the matter is you need to find a specialty shop that can actually do an early style alignment. A modern shop can usually align three current cars in the time it takes to align an early style car and if there is anyone there that is familiar with and has the needed specialty tools to perform it correctly.

 

That's quite a stable of Fords....I dig it! Makes me miss my '59 F100.