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Author Topic:   68 alignment clarification
Fastback68
Gearhead

Posts: 2951
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99

posted 05-31-2001 01:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fastback68   Click Here to Email Fastback68     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi all! I'm back from the US with my poly bushings, and it's time to get the '68 realigned. I have a real problem with bump steer and hopefully this will help!
A while back, I saved a thread in which Sam and Jay discussed alignment , but being dumb I got confused Could I ask you guys to nail this one down?

For a neutral set-up Sam says ...
Caster: .50 positive
Camber: .50 positive (no more than .25 degrees difference)
Toe in: zero

Jay says ...
A little more caster than that will help keep the car on center (1 to 2 degrees is what Pro Motorsports and Mustangs Plus suggests) and it won't feel as 'vague' when you are going straight down the road.

So, I'm going to go for the 2 degrees caster. Here are the questions:
1) Sam says "no more than .25 degrees difference". What exactly does this mean? Difference from what? And will this be affected by changing the caster to 2 degrees?
2) Is there any harm in having a little toe in? Won't that make the car even less vague?
many thanks!
Simon

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richard bohm
Gearhead

Posts: 373
From: tucson,az-luray,va
Registered: May 2001

posted 05-31-2001 04:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for richard bohm   Click Here to Email richard bohm     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
when they say no more than .25 degrees difference, they mean if one side is .5 degrees then the other side needs to be at least .25 degrees but no more than .75 degrees. as far as toe in goes i recomend 1/16" to 1/8" toe in. as far as caster goes i think the factory recomends 3 degrees but i would have to check the manual(unfortunately it is 2100 miles away). if this is a street car then i would suggest 1 1/4 degrees camber on the left and 1 degree on the right. if this is a race car then the camber specs previously mentioned are fine.

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74merc
Gearhead

Posts: 865
From: Demopolis AL
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-31-2001 10:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 74merc   Click Here to Email 74merc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've got to find out for sure how mine was set, but the extra caster made it follow the road a little better, but its a PITA to turn now without power.
I'm going back closer to stock with alignment settings next time.

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Fastback68
Gearhead

Posts: 2951
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99

posted 05-31-2001 11:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fastback68   Click Here to Email Fastback68     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is good stuff so far - thanks! But someone out there has the perfect solution (for me, anyway!). Does everyone agree with Richard? Mine is a street car and handles great around town (just accelerating and braking), but the problem comes when I get on the freeway, and I'm in the "wrong" lane, i.e., the lane in which the heavy trucks have forced the asphalt into ridges. I know I have to convert to rack and pinion at some point, but for now, even cruising at 50 mph is scary when you have buses and trucks on either side of you. (Heh, Ed, you'll want to listen to this! You'll know what I mean!)
So, what are the optimum settings for getting a straight line with some kind of feel, while keeping the power steering?
Thanks again! Keep it coming!
Simon

[This message has been edited by Fastback68 (edited 05-31-2001).]

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mustangs68
Moderator

Posts: 21889
From: Buckroe Beach Va MCA#39406 M&M #12 Member Mustang Club of Tidewater
Registered: May 99

posted 05-31-2001 05:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mustangs68   Click Here to Email mustangs68     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Simon the info was from my sons alignment book he used when at Penske.
sam

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steve'66
Gearhead

Posts: 8754
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 05-31-2001 05:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for steve'66   Click Here to Email steve'66     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Simon,

we're running:

2* positive Camber
.5* positive Caster
1/8" Toe In

The car stays straight even with underinflated rear bias ply slicks, over inflated front radials, and the front end in the air at the drag strip. (110 mph) Adding more pos. camber definately helps the car stay straight, and the car returns to straight after making a turn. With your power steering you won't even notice the increased steering effort.

SteveW

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