[CAM]

Hi, I have owned a 64 Catalina HT for about 10 years... slowly worked through all the issues...rebuilt 389, Holley Sniper, T700R4, AC, rebuilt 3.45 rear end, new springs shocks, rewired, 4 wheel discs, and COOLING (a huge story unto itself)!! Now I want to be able to drive the beast without needing an ECG machine every time I do. I have all new springs, bushes and sshocks but the beast has a mind of its own. At any speed above 45mph it is totally unpredictable..all over the road...bumps drive my blood pressure through the roof. So, I have I looked at the basic geometry and am astounded that anyone could ever drive these, let alone race them. They have negative caster and a scrub radius of about 6 inches...admittedly with 245 tyres..perhaps a little big for the front.

So I have purchased after market tubular A arms so they wont fowl the cross member, but the aftermarket lowers do nothing for geometry so I plan to alter the ones I have. I plan to move the lower ball joint forward on the lower wishbone and move it out slightly to increase King Pin Angle to reduce scrub radius. I wall also alter the steering arm to ensure no increased bump steer. The main problem with this will be an increase in static Camber. Its currently zero but I will make it about 1.5 to 2.5 degrees negative. This may cause tyre wear but at least I can drive it.

I am shooting at a KPI of about 9 degrees (std in 7), positive caster of about 6 degrees using the modified lower wishbone and shims on the upper wishbone. This should keep the axle in the same place it currently is.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I cant believe I am the only one who is terrified to drive these things??

cheers and thanks
CAM
64 Catalina HT,

[WQ59B]

I used to push my Cat fairly hard years back. Had 225/70 radials, gas shocks and got the front end to (I think) +0.5 / +0.7 caster. It was fine before but I was really happy after that alignment- huge difference. Never scared of how it drove, but I was a bit of a wildman. Hit a deer at 100 and that retired it.