Getting the castor right on a front crossmember (pics)

i like to set chassis up at desired ride height with the wheels and tires that are going to be used. this iliminates any suspension and driveline problems ,a final caster of 5 to 7 degrees will make the car handle well.

 

Damn...thanks for help better late than never

 

The motor should be at 0 degrees on the plane too, correct?

 

So let me see if I got this right. In his first picture he has the cross member going in the "WRONG" direction CORRECT? It should be going in the other direction? Just a little confused after reading all of this post.

 

The surface of the carb mounting base should be level.

 

He had it going the right way, just not enough. If it was at 4*, which he stated, then he adds 3* of rake, the rake takes away from the 4* leaving 1* which would not be enough.

 

the front crossmember angle really has nothing to do with the caster. The crossmember should be set so the spring is perpendicular to a line from the spring eyes at ride heigth thru the radius rod pivot point. The caster is set by bending the radius rods or adjusting the hairpins. I heat and bend the perches to take out any bind as the last step. I make new ends for the Ford radius rods with a drop for tie rod clearance and to increase caster.
I know I will be called a fool but I have been at this for 50 years and have been pretty successful with my rides.

 

Can't call someone who has success a fool.
Many ways to accomplish this. Sounds like you have a good formula.
If the crossmember has angle built in, and the spring is square to the xmember, and the axle is square to the spring, it works as well.

 

Thanks for all the help and knowledge

 

check out pete and jaked site they have some good info on chassis set up. Drive line angles set at desired ride hight are more inpotrant than intake angles. intakes can be milled or custom angled spacers made.

 

Setting up the x-member to the proper castor angle will prevent the spring and the shackles from being in a bind from the get go. I think this the way Henry Ford did it too. It worked for him for many years.