1952-59 Ford Front End Alignment Shims

Ok boys and girls, I will be ***embling the front suspension on the '54 Club Coupe soon and I need a favor. Since my car had no front end shims to set the alignment, I was hoping some kind soul would measure the thickness of their shims (left side, right side, front and rear) so I can get a ball-park figure when I ***emble the front end. If two or more people can do this, I can take an average thickness and get it close.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Mark

 

I can understand your thinking, but even with an average, it may not be even close. It depends on every possible dimension between frames being perfect before welding. That is imposible. The factory tolerace was too great. Bolt it together, and trailer it to an alignment shop.

 

Ok, thanks. I'll give that a shot when I get the body back on the frame.

 

The reason I say that is because I worked the line at Ford. When building a T bucket frame, I asked an engineer for the specs for a new Galaxie frame, this in 1979. The factory spec on the frame was plus or minus 3/8. That means one frame could be as much as 3/4 inch different from another and be fine. My T bucket was 3/16.

 

That explains alot, Don. I just thought it would help to get it close for the front end shop.
Thanks for the info.

 

There are two types of shims that Ford used on the 54. The thickness is .12", and .03" in thickness. The part numbers on them are B4A 3043-A, and B4A 3043-B respectively. The shims can be ordered from C&G Early Fords or Obsolete Ford Parts.

 

Thanks "54" for the info. I've already got the shims from napa. A box of ***orted thicknesses was $12.00.