1953 caster/camber

[G Pennington]

Has anyone had any experience adjusting the front end alignment  on a '52 - '53 Series 62?  My shop manual essentially calls for zero caster and zero camber.
I kinda question this ... seems to me that a little positive caster would help tracking and a little negative camber would help cornering.  I'll be running radials... maybe that makes a difference.  Not too worried about tire wear (unless it's extreme) since the tires usually go out of date long before the tread wears out.  Good handling and safety are the prime concerns.

[Dave Shepherd]

If possible try and get some positive caster,  you may not have enough adjustment range to accomplish that without negatively affecting camber.

[bullet bob]

Gary. I'm getting ready to have an alignment done on my '53 also. Steering wheel is probably at a 45* angle although the car handles great. Probably going to go with factory specs. If you would sir, please post about what your alignment guy says/does. Appreciate it!

[35-709]

If you are running radials on a car that had bias-ply you want to have at least some positive caster.

[G Pennington]

At first, I was not able to get any positive caster by adjusting the upper eccentric bushing.  Had to remove inner/lower A-arm shaft and rotate it so as to move the A-arm forward slightly to increase caster (see 1952 shop manual page 6.5).  This was a major PITA because springs have to be removed.  Was finally able to get approx 3/4 deg of positive caster.
Set the camber at 1/4 deg both sides.  Unfortunatly, caster and camber are interrelated so one affects the other.
Set toe-in per factory specs.  Will have to go back and do final tie rod adjustments to center the steering wheel after I drive it.
No alignment shop around here that knows anything about these old king pin suspensions.  Did everything myself.  This magnetic caster/camber gage (pictured) is easy to use and not too expensive.

[Dave Shepherd]

That's the way we do it in my shop, very tough to get any positive caster, as you see.  We have turn plates so setting the caster is a smoother operation, because the plates are marked in degrees.  Btw, nicely done on your part, G.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Nice tool!

[Quentin Hall]

Gday Gary, I was trying to contact you via the forum messages but I’m not sure it is working. Could you email me at 53eldorado.qhemail addresses not permitted please.

[G Pennington]

Gauge came from Speedway Motors (Part # 91082605) $119.99.
EZ to use; good instructions.