negative camber to positive camber?

[fordchris47]

hello all, been awhile. ive got a 72' with a 390 and c6. well my tires used to wear on the inside but ever since I put the aluminum heads on the truck the tires started wearing on the outside. Is it possible by installing the aluminum intake, heads and headers I changed the camber of the front tires? you can see in the picture how the tire hangs, well it almost looks that bad when the trucks on the ground. could sitting in that position on the jack stands for approximately six weeks have effecting the angle of the tires? I know almost nothing about camber and alignment so im at a complete loss. what do I have to do put a bag of concrete in the engine bay to correct this problem? love my FE

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[fordchris47]

Ok, just came from a hot rod shop where a buddy of mine works. He looked at my tires and said I'm toed out too much, right around the time of the rebuild I replaced my center, drag link and tie rods. He said the front should be about a quarter of an inch out more in the front than the back of the tire, is he correct? Could it be this simple?

[fordchris47]

apparently my buddy was wrong I measured my front tires and I was an 1 1/2" toed in. I jacked up the front adjusted them evenly, both front and back of tire at 61 3/4 and hopefully I saved the new set of tires that were just put on. only time will tell.

[motzingg]

The twin i-beam will make the camber change (also the caster changes because of the radius arm) when the suspension loads or unloads.

That said, it shouldn't wear your tires too badly just to have it a hair positive. It will make the steering feel different.


If you want to 'fix' it you have to either change your ride height by modifying springs, or use a hydraulic ram and fixture to actually bend the forged I-beams.

There is a factory service bulletin in the Tech section of this website explaining how to do it. I'd probably find the oldest, crankiest mechanic in town and try to convince him to do it for ya, its probably one of those things you gotta see someone do to know how to do it.... I'm scared to do it on mine.

[fordchris47]

thank you motzingg, so far the changes I have made have made a world of difference, doesn't pull to the right any more and no more vibrations at 65mph. My tires were wearing really bad in only a short amount of time, especially the passenger side. I don't have any funds for my I beams being bent, what cut the springs? Heard you weren't supposed to do that, not that I couldn't do that I just don't want to make a major mistake considering I just replaced the shocks and springs two years ago. But I can cut them if I have to or the bag of concrete, haha just kidding. I've got four inches of play in my wheel that I've gotten used to over the past five years and now it almost stays straight at this point. I' check out the factory service bulletin. Thanks so much, a lot of people look but only one answered. Love my FE

[Mach428]

Changing the engine parts as you've described, while saving weight would not throw the camber adjustment out as much as you described your tire wear. You also mentioned changing the centerlink and tie rods. It is most likely toe-in setting since you altered that setting with the change.

A good alignment shop can set this for you and you most likely will not have to modify caster or camber settings.

A good rule of thumb for remembering caster and camber angles is "positive toward me." Standing at the fender of the truck facing the engine bay, positive CAMBER will be the top of the tire "toward you." So positive is toward you, negative is away from you.

Same thing for caster when standing at the fender facing the front of the vehicle. Positive CASTER will be the top of the tire "toward you." So positive is toward you, negative is away from you.

Good luck.

[fordchris47]

thanks mach428, learning something new every day. im hoping the adjustments I made with the toe in yesterday corrects my problem. if not it will be going to a shop to be done correctly

[abyars111]

I don't see any tires in that picture.

Just joking.

Does your wife/girlfriend know you posted that picture of her!

[fordchris47]

yes she knows but wasn't very happy about it. she's a good helper, works hard and not afraid to get dirty. I think she's polishing the outside of the holley don't quite remember. hell she changes her own oil when I don't have time to get to it and she's cute too, kinda like a win win

[abyars111]

sounds like a heck of a woman and a keeper for sure

I just had to poke you when I saw that picture.

[fordchris47]

heck of a woman for sure a keeper not so sure were currently separated and probably heading for a divorce(not because of the pic). im pretty busted up about the whole thing but i guess all good things must come to an end.

[abyars111]

I wouldn't say that.

If she's good then do what it takes to work it out.

[fordchris47]

I appreciate what your saying but its easier said than done, she has high expectations sometimes unreachable. not only that but she's changed from fun loving, throw caution to the wind, loved to be naked to uptight and all about business. a year ago she would have thought that pic of hers was funny and said post some more but instead I got my ass handed to me. the fun is gone, yes we still love each other but have different ideas on how life is supposed to go. oh yeah she's also unbelievably controlling which I've learned to deal with and all of her other issues(nobodies perfect) but she has a hard time dealing with mine, im usually the one at fault. I apologize to all the other members on the forum we kind of got off topic I haven't been able to give an update on the wearing of my tires cause I got my 883 iron back from the dealership who had it for seven weeks chasing a shorted wire, I've been riding that since last Wednesday. sorry to say 50 mpg and a lot more fun to drive but I do love my FE. course im not sure which is more dangerous my 43 year old truck or the bike.