Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1940 dodge coupe alinement specs, bias ply tires, front end alignment specs


Question
do you know where I can find the front end alignment specs for a 1940 dodge coupe, it has all the original steering box ect, and it "wonders" all over the road. very hard to drive

Answer
Caster spec is 1N to 1P (degrees)
Camber spec is 0 to 3/4P    "
King Pin inclination is 4 3/4 to 6 degrees
Toe-in is 0 to 1/8 inch (for the original bias ply tires - if you are running radials, this has to be fine tuned  to make the car drive correctly - usually 0 is the right place.)

If the car wanders after all the settings are right, investigate the steering box for play and wear.

Remember these cars will never drive as well as modern rack and pinion type steering - the cars were designed to run 40 MPH in the old days = they are not suitable for freeway cruising at 65+!

Dick