The Ford Barn

Ricosan · 10-16-2022, 06:43 AM

Good morning Guys,

I am trying to set the toe in on my 1933 wagon. I have searched every way I can think of to find information on setting the toe in but I get absolutely zero responses.

I am stuck after I mark the lines around around the tires on both sides. I’ve seen it done with a toe in gauge (you tube) which made it pretty simple. I don’t have a toe in gauge.

I can measure the distance of the lines straight across on the front with no problem but I can’t measure across the back because the wishbones and the bottom of the engine won’t allow a straight shot from one side side to the other? How do I get the back measurement so that I can compare to the front lines measurements from back to front?

Richard

corvette8n · 10-16-2022, 06:56 AM

Maybe a laser level?

Lanny · 10-16-2022, 09:59 AM

Get the tape measure as high as you can, (keeping it straight across) on the
rear tread of the tire and take the measurement.

Try to put the tape measure about the same distance up on the front tread
and measure it.

.

glennpm · 10-16-2022, 10:35 AM

I just did a geometry check to see the effect of measuring the rear dimension 8" above the ground for a 28" diameter tire. Result is for a 1/8" toe-in, the rear dimension would be the front dimension plus 0.125 minus .006"

This assumes that you measure the front at half the diameter or radius. If you measure both front and rear 8" above the ground you would deduct two times this or .012" less than the desired 1/8" toe-in which is less than 1/64"!

ford38v8 · 10-16-2022, 11:56 AM

Don’t make it complicated. Get a 2x4 and fasten uprights securely on both ends. A pointer in one upright and a horizontal rule on the other. Set the pointer on the mark on one tire and read the rule on the other.

Ricosan · 10-16-2022, 02:07 PM

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Thanks Guys. OK! I’ve got it. Looks like I can do it by myself if I use ford38v8s method. It looks like it would be pretty accurate to boot. I mat even have a suitable 2x4.
Richard

wamnram · 10-17-2022, 04:56 PM

A good old fashioned plumb bob works. Hang it from the center of the tires in front and mark the floor. Hang again from center of tires in back and mark the floor. Then just measure distance between marks with a tape measure.

V8COOPMAN · 10-17-2022, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wamnram

A good old fashioned plumb bob works. Hang it from the center of the tires in front and mark the floor. Hang again from center of tires in back and mark the floor. Then just measure distance between marks with a tape measure.

NO... NO... NO! That's just makin' it TOO EASY!

Coop

.

J Franklin · 10-17-2022, 09:53 PM

My tire shop does great alignment work, and I didn't even get my hands dirty.

10-16-2022, 06:43 AM	#1
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	Toe in Good morning Guys, I am trying to set the toe in on my 1933 wagon. I have searched every way I can think of to find information on setting the toe in but I get absolutely zero responses. I am stuck after I mark the lines around around the tires on both sides. I’ve seen it done with a toe in gauge (you tube) which made it pretty simple. I don’t have a toe in gauge. I can measure the distance of the lines straight across on the front with no problem but I can’t measure across the back because the wishbones and the bottom of the engine won’t allow a straight shot from one side side to the other? How do I get the back measurement so that I can compare to the front lines measurements from back to front? Richard

10-16-2022, 09:59 AM	#3
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,411	Re: Toe in Get the tape measure as high as you can, (keeping it straight across) on the rear tread of the tire and take the measurement. Try to put the tape measure about the same distance up on the front tread and measure it. . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

10-16-2022, 10:35 AM	#4
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,982	Re: Toe in I just did a geometry check to see the effect of measuring the rear dimension 8" above the ground for a 28" diameter tire. Result is for a 1/8" toe-in, the rear dimension would be the front dimension plus 0.125 minus .006" This assumes that you measure the front at half the diameter or radius. If you measure both front and rear 8" above the ground you would deduct two times this or .012" less than the desired 1/8" toe-in which is less than 1/64"!

10-16-2022, 11:56 AM	#5
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,648	Re: Toe in Don’t make it complicated. Get a 2x4 and fasten uprights securely on both ends. A pointer in one upright and a horizontal rule on the other. Set the pointer on the mark on one tire and read the rule on the other. __________________ Alan

10-16-2022, 02:07 PM	#6
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	Re: Toe in Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks Guys. OK! I’ve got it. Looks like I can do it by myself if I use ford38v8s method. It looks like it would be pretty accurate to boot. I mat even have a suitable 2x4. Richard

10-17-2022, 04:56 PM	#7
wamnram Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Tan Valley, Arizona Posts: 211	Re: Toe in A good old fashioned plumb bob works. Hang it from the center of the tires in front and mark the floor. Hang again from center of tires in back and mark the floor. Then just measure distance between marks with a tape measure. __________________ Wayne

10-17-2022, 09:53 PM	#9
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,969	Re: Toe in My tire shop does great alignment work, and I didn't even get my hands dirty.