C2 Wheel Alignment

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Wheel Alignment

By the mid seventies there were three sets of specs - reset, warranty, and state inspection. The latter contained the very widest range.

Like I said, alignment is a tuning parameter and like engine timing there is no one magic number, but a range that is usually acceptable in most driving conditions.

I disagree with Terry on intentionally setting in cross caster to offset road crown.

If the chassis is straight and everything is equal side to side the car should track dead straight on a level road. On modern roads with minimum crown it should drift slightly to the right, but the amount of correction to keep it tracking staight is virtually unnoticeable This is what you want, so if you fall asleep the cars drifts off to the right and not to the left, potentially into the path on oncoming traffic on a two lane road.

I previously mentioned the difference in toe requirements for radial versus bias ply tires.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Wheel Alignment

By the mid seventies there were three sets of specs - reset, warranty, and state inspection. The latter contained the very widest range.

Like I said, alignment is a tuning parameter and like engine timing there is no one magic number, but a range that is usually acceptable in most driving conditions.

I disagree with Terry on intentionally setting in cross caster to offset road crown.

If the chassis is straight and everything is equal side to side the car should track dead straight on a level road. On modern roads with minimum crown it should drift slightly to the right, but the amount of correction to keep it tracking staight is virtually unnoticeable This is what you want, so if you fall asleep the cars drifts off to the right and not to the left, potentially into the path on oncoming traffic on a two lane road.

I previously mentioned the difference in toe requirements for radial versus bias ply tires.

Duke

[Eugene B.]

Re: Check the gas tank?

Gentlemen,
I read this thread with interest and found it very informative. I did not see anything about the quantity of gasoline in the tank.

It seems like I saw an old note that stated that the alignment (probably rear) should be performed with the tank half full of gasoline. At approx. seven pounds per gallon, I guess it would have an affect.

Perhaps others can comment and give me a memory check. Now the hard part. I have to save up my money to buy a half tank of gas!

Best regards to all,
Gene

[Eugene B.]

Re: Check the gas tank?

Gentlemen,
I read this thread with interest and found it very informative. I did not see anything about the quantity of gasoline in the tank.

It seems like I saw an old note that stated that the alignment (probably rear) should be performed with the tank half full of gasoline. At approx. seven pounds per gallon, I guess it would have an affect.

Perhaps others can comment and give me a memory check. Now the hard part. I have to save up my money to buy a half tank of gas!

Best regards to all,
Gene

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 Wheel Alignment

I agree with your comments if you live in an area that DOES have flat, level roads. If'n yer live back in thar hill liken I do, you'ns have to set specs as Terry mentione. If not you work hard to keep the car outta the ditch.

Just an Ole Hillbilly's comments.

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 Wheel Alignment

I agree with your comments if you live in an area that DOES have flat, level roads. If'n yer live back in thar hill liken I do, you'ns have to set specs as Terry mentione. If not you work hard to keep the car outta the ditch.

Just an Ole Hillbilly's comments.

[Donald T.]

Re: Check the gas tank?

There are two different sets of alignment specs listed in the AIM to account for those weight variables; each set with a slightly different range. A full tank will cause slightly more neg camber in the rear as opposed to empty. I doubt that any alignment shop will go into that level of detail though. They usually just get it within factory specs, and call it a day. Even if you specify exactly what you want, they may get it close and tell you want you want to hear, figuring that you will never know the difference or be able to verify. This has happened to me in the past. If you really want that level of precision, then you really need to perform your own alignments so you know exactly what you have. I got my alignment tools at Racer's Wholesale but other racing distributors carry them. You just need a camber/castor gauge and a toe gauge. Alignments are not that difficult to perform with the right tools. There is also info at corvettefaq.com on performing your own alignments even without the special tools.

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com

[Donald T.]

Re: Check the gas tank?

There are two different sets of alignment specs listed in the AIM to account for those weight variables; each set with a slightly different range. A full tank will cause slightly more neg camber in the rear as opposed to empty. I doubt that any alignment shop will go into that level of detail though. They usually just get it within factory specs, and call it a day. Even if you specify exactly what you want, they may get it close and tell you want you want to hear, figuring that you will never know the difference or be able to verify. This has happened to me in the past. If you really want that level of precision, then you really need to perform your own alignments so you know exactly what you have. I got my alignment tools at Racer's Wholesale but other racing distributors carry them. You just need a camber/castor gauge and a toe gauge. Alignments are not that difficult to perform with the right tools. There is also info at corvettefaq.com on performing your own alignments even without the special tools.

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com