Caster on MII with manual rack

40cpe · April 14, 2007, 08:55:55 PM

I've searched archives for an answer and didn't find it as it relates to MII with a manual rack. My '40 Ford coupe has a MII front suspension (Heidts) with a stock upper a arms and just installed Heidts' economy lower arms. It has stock 4 cyl springs cut 1/2 coil and a Chassis Engineering sway bar. The engine is a 5.0L with AC and an aluminum radiator. My question is how much caster to align it to and not adversly affect slow speed steering. I'm reading 4 1/2 to 6 degrees is desirable and several are using that setting. What they aren't saying is if they have manual or power steering. I would like opinions from users of the manual racks about how much caster is optimum for straight steering and ease of parking, etc. It is set at 1.2 degrees now but requires a little more correction than I like. How much more can I go and still steer it at slow speeds? I know it's all relative, but I'm hoping for some real world experience from someone who has experienced both ends of the spectrum.
Thanks for any advice thrown my way.
Gene

enjenjo · April 14, 2007, 10:24:30 PM

You can go at least 5 degrees, I have gone as much as 7. Manual I would stick closer to 4 to 5.

Jokester · April 14, 2007, 11:55:27 PM

My 33 Chevy is manual and 5 degrees. Works great.

.bjb

Baby Deuce · April 15, 2007, 09:45:39 AM

Well, on a real Mustang II with manual steering, 5 degrees is the normal preferred setting, if that helps you at all.

UGLY OLDS · April 15, 2007, 11:41:04 AM

5 degrees positive on my Olds...Steers just like a Mustang II..

40cpe · April 15, 2007, 01:38:00 PM

Quote from: "Baby Deuce"Well, on a real Mustang II with manual steering, 5 degrees is the normal preferred setting, if that helps you at all.

I called Heidts for their recommendation before the alignment and their recommendation was 1 degree. Their tech/sales guy wouldn't even discuss alternate settings, just said that they recommend 1 degree positive. You would think that as much experience as they should have with these suspensions that they could share it with their customers.

Thanks to you all for reinforcing the 5 degree setting.

Baby Deuce · April 15, 2007, 08:47:21 PM

Quote from: "40cpe"
Quote from: "Baby Deuce"Well, on a real Mustang II with manual steering, 5 degrees is the normal preferred setting, if that helps you at all.

I called Heidts for their recommendation before the alignment and their recommendation was 1 degree. Their tech/sales guy wouldn't even discuss alternate settings, just said that they recommend 1 degree positive. You would think that as much experience as they should have with these suspensions that they could share it with their customers.

Thanks to you all for reinforcing the 5 degree setting.

Well, their stuff is aftermarket copies of Mustang II/Pinto stuff, so maybe they have some reason for suggesting the 1 degree setting, but with stock Mustang IIs, 5 degrees is much closer to the norm. I've owned and worked on many Mustang IIs and Pintos, but never played with Heidts stuff to know if it's any different. The factory stuff is unbeatable in it's original application, but I don't know about sticking Pinto components into other (heavier) vehicles!

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40cpe · April 15, 2007, 08:58:42 PM

Well, their stuff is aftermarket copies of Mustang II/Pinto stuff, so maybe they have some reason for suggesting the 1 degree setting, but with stock Mustang IIs, 5 degrees is much closer to the norm. I've owned and worked on many Mustang IIs and Pintos, but never played with Heidts stuff to know if it's any different. The factory stuff is unbeatable in it's original application, but I don't know about sticking Pinto components into other (heavier) vehicles!

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Heidts claims their stuff retains factory geometry. Also, their literature explains how a MII car with the engine/trans straddling the front suspension actually has more weight on the front suspension than a rod with the engine mounted behind the cross member. All this leads me to believe that the weight of a rod shouldn't be an issue with the suspension. If 5 degrees is good for a MII car, I'm game to try it on my car.