Suspension TECH Including Brakes, Wheels and tires

          
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Old 06-05-2022, 05:52 PM
steves1967 steves1967 is offline
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Default 68 Firebird front end alignment

With normal weight on the front suspension, I have a few degrees of toe-in. But when I lift the front of the car, the front wheels toe-out pretty severely. Normal driving it wouldn't be an issue- but I drag race this car.

Is there any way to correct this problem on a 68 Firebird? Maybe aftermarket A-arms??

  #2  
Old 06-05-2022, 08:08 PM
JLMounce JLMounce is online now
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This is bump steer. Aftermarket control arms will not correct bumpsteer.

Since the first gen is a rear steer design, adding positive caster typically has the net effect of decreasing bump steer.

When was the last time the steering was rebuilt? While first gens do have a good amount of bumpsteer, what you describe seems excessive. If the steering system is old and worn out, the excessive play can allow strange alignment issues to crop up.

If the steering system is in good shape, dial in as much positive caster as the system will allow and set your camber and toe with the suspension in expected droop where the car will be traveling down the drag strip.

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Old 06-06-2022, 07:32 PM
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Toe-in is measured in inches not degrees, usually 1/32-1/16" toe-in works well. I have 1/16" toe-in on my '67 FB race car and you can steer it with two fingers going down the track. You want up to 5 degrees caster to go straight. I had my car aligned with the front end raised to drive height when going down the track.

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1967 Firechicken, 499", Edl heads, 262/266@0.050" duration and 0.627"/0.643 lift SR cam, 3.90 gear, 28" tire, 3550#. 10.01@134.3 mph with a 1.45 60'. Still WAY under the rollbar rule.
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Old 06-06-2022, 08:20 PM
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Here's a pic of the car getting aligned.
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1967 Firechicken, 499", Edl heads, 262/266@0.050" duration and 0.627"/0.643 lift SR cam, 3.90 gear, 28" tire, 3550#. 10.01@134.3 mph with a 1.45 60'. Still WAY under the rollbar rule.
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