[DeTomaso] Big caster, big wheels and small problem

[Asa Jay Laughton]

Welcome to the world of the hand built Italian car,,, made by Will 
Demelo right here in the U.S.

"Heya Luigi.... passa me dat bigga hammer ova der, oh and grabba da file 
too."


Asa Jay

Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired
&  Shelley Marie
Spokane, WA
******************************
http://www.asajay.com   ***   http://www.teampanteraracing.com
   


On 5/9/2010 7:28 PM, Will Demelo wrote:
> After spending alot of money and time on a gr4 conversion, I had my A-arms
> modified by Johnny. I didn't check for clearance after the A-arms came back
> and yes, the tire grabbed by lower flare.
> I haven't been that upset in a long time....
> Will
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: " Charles Engles"<cengles at cox.net>
> To: "'boyd casey'"<boyd411 at gmail.com>
> Cc:<detomaso at realbig.com>
> Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010 9:57 PM
> Subject: [DeTomaso] Big caster, big wheels and small problem
>
>
>    
>> Dear Boyd,
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>             I was thinking about your recent post where you noted that your
>> new Johnny Woods modified front upper a arms would permit a maximum of
>> seven
>> degrees positive caster.
>>
>>
>>
>>             If you are also running wide front tires, then there can be a
>> small fitment problem.   On my late '74 Pantera with five degees positive
>> caster that uses 17x9 wide front wheels and appropriately wide tires, I
>> noticed that in a stationary position with the wheels turned there was
>> tight
>> clearance that I had not noted before.   In that situation, there was only
>> about  ¼" clearance between the tires inner edge and the front fender at
>> about 2 o'clock on the right tire.   It was tight and it was ok, until I
>> finally was in a low speed parking lot situation and must have hit a bump.
>> The aftermath showed that the tire must have snagged and twanged the
>> fender
>> lip.   It flexed the metal enough that the paint was damaged, although the
>> fender was fine.   A trip to my favorite paint and body man fixed the
>> paint
>> defect and resulted in some judicious and subtle tweaking of the fender at
>> that critical spot.
>>
>>
>>
>>            The point of this is that I think positive caster much beyond
>> four degrees plus 17x9 wheels and tires will alter the geometry of the
>> front
>> wheel such that the tire-fender kiss is much more likely.   Take note
>> after
>> you get everything installed and set up to be sure this little issue.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>                                 Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles
>>
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