63 rear aalignment?
Is the rear alignment of a 63 done with vehicle weight on rear tires? Are 63 and 64 trailing arms the same length? Can a quick check be done with a string from the front of a straight front tire to and over the rear of the rear tire? Jerry Gollnick? Thanks!
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Re: 63 rear aalignment?
Stan, Here's a link that will tell you what you need to know. http://www.duntovmotors.com/tech-alignment.php I did my car using that process. I also have a Fastrax tool for setting the camber as well as the caster on the front. I had it checked at a friends alignment shop and my settings were right on. -
Re: 63 rear aalignment?
Stan,
Weight needs to be resting on ground or else clearances and geometry of suspension will prevent proper set up. The rear alignment needs to be done prior to the front. Alignment guy should set the rear parallel and square with the frame. This will insure the car does not "dog leg" down the road. I think the drum brake trail arms are the same.
The string thing will only be of minimal good showing toe if the rears are set up with the frame as mentioned above.Comment
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Re: 63 rear aalignment?
And after any change the car must be rolled about 10 feet back and forth to let the car settle into the new setting, then recheck.Comment
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Re: 63 rear aalignment?
Jerry, This winter you told me that I needed to start with the true centerline. Do you have info on that? Thanks ! stanComment
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Re: 63 rear aalignment?
Gene, Do you know of a good C2 alignment shop in upstate NY or better yet the southerntier?Comment
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Re: 63 rear aalignment?
You can get close by using frame build data sheet.
I remove the trailing arms and find the center in the frame where the trailing arms will mount. Drop a string down from those two points and mark on the floor, then divide by two and use a square to go up on the cross member to locate the center point. that get you a point in the rear. Then go to the front and measure at the transmission mount crossover from frame outside to frame outside, divide by two . Mark this spot on the transmission mount crossmember. Now connect the two points with a string or with laser.Project past the rear crossmember to as far as the wheel hub centerline. This will be your centerline that allows you to balance the offset from center at the wheel hub flange. So what ever you do to get toe in on one side to the same on the other. When you are done you should have the desired toe in AND be equal distance from the true center on both sides. If I can clarify or help any other way just let me know. Don't forget to roll the car to return it to proper ride height when finished and before checking results of your last adjustment.Repeat as needed. i use sandbags in the car driver seat to simulate my weight in the drivers seat. This is needed for a race-car but not a street car. JerryComment
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Re: 63 rear aalignment?
why can't you just stringline the side frame rails in the box section at the height of the hub center. have the string extend from the rear to front and measure from the string to the rim edge to check toe in.Comment
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Re: 63 rear aalignment?
The side rail don't necessarily represent the same point from the cars center. When your dealing with 1/16 in toe numbers on each side and in the rear they need to be balanced from the center. Do a fun little experiment . see if you can get to a repeatable center point doing it both ways. Tolerances on the frame from the factory were plus or minus 1/8 inch. Which could put you off center by a 1/4 inch. Your frame may be perfect. Most frames , especially race car frames aren't that good.Comment
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Re: 63 rear aalignment?
Alignments aren't rocket science or magic. With a little work, you can get the same, and probably better results than an alignment shop, especially those that don't want to correctly align the rear because of the time involved with those nasty bolts and shims. I've done many C-1, 2 & 3 alignments at home for myself and friends with very positive results.Comment
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