I had my car re-aligned about 3 weeks ago from previous caster setting of -1 1/4 left/- 9/16 deg. right, to present setting ---- + 1-7/16 left and 1-31/32 right. All other setting camber and toe @ 3/16 respectively. The strut rods are out as far as he could get them. This change made a big improvement in overall performance. I still think I need another degree of positive caster to put the car where it should be. Next move, shim UCA front bolts. I also am posting a link I found recently that may be of interest to others considering this conversion. It describes pretty much to a T the experience I had. http://www.examiner.com/article/borgeson-power-steering-box-install-tips-and-tricks
If you havent dont the Shelby drop yet, you should. It will give you more caster as well as a more aggressive camber curve. I forget exactly what my numbers are but I have close to around 5* of positive Caster. Granted the spherical bearings in my components gives me more adjustability but I'd think you should be able to get more than you are. Having power steering allows you to run a lot more than not.
Not sure I want to go to that extent -- but don't rule anything out. Thanks for the suggestion, Chris! How much more caster you think will get w/ the drop? I think I will look into it! I have found some info on it. http://www.mmb.maverick.to/threads/shelby-drop-done-but-theres-problems.105040/
I couldnt say. It depends on the kit you go with. I used the templates from Total Control Products. They bring the UCA mount down and back (towards the rear of the car) Its moving the control arm back that adds caster.
That sounds like alot of caster normally when you go that much they track straight but get a stiff steering feel.was this made to fit Maverick or is it a universal type setup that's supposed to fit everything?
I don;t think those are bad numbers at all really. If you could reach 2 1/2 - 3°?.. you'd be golden. Once you reach around 2° you'll need to start modding. And if you go to that extent.. you may as well rear offset the upper a-arms on their cross shafts to gain another 1/8" inch while you're at it. Cheap mod and not much more work after all that hubbub anyways. It's really tough to get too much castor into these old cars and every little bit helps. Keep in mind that you will lean on your suspension and bushings a bit harder as the caster goes up.
Those are the numbers I am shooting for; plan to install one or two 1/8" inch shims. I think that will work for me.
Im running 265/35-18 and have no issues running that much caster. The Borgeson steering box is a Mustang piece being retrofit to the Maverick.
I don't believe the box is a Ford box, it looks like and fits like no Ford box I have seen. Since I got the box I have look under the hood of all kinds of Fords to see if it matches or resembles any Ford gear. None, I have seen comes close. This box is physically longer than any Ford box I have seen, which puts it much closer to the firewall and in some cases if a rag joint is involved - puts it slightly inside the firewall - as in my case. I believe Ford went to R&P "at least on some cars", in 78 when production ended on Maverick's and Comets ceased.
I once saw a post on where it was thought the box originated, can't remember for sure but I think it was foreign... Maybe Nissan or Toyota trucks??? I know the mounting is modified to fit...
I believe u are correct on a foreign modified box. I don't recall Ford ever having an intergrated box on those era cars. I like the fact all leaks are gone and only have two hoses - really cleaned up my engine bay of all hoses running everywhere and eliminated the fluid cooler. Once I get all my issues sorted out, will probably put the steer box, valve, pump and cooler for sale.
Normally when you get that far on adjustments you get like a memory steering when you turn the wheel won't center itself like you can go into a corner at hyway speed and let go of wheel and it will take the corner by itself. And it won't center itself after turn no matter what speed with a stiff turning also.
Maybe you're mistaking this for negative caster? He's gone to the positive side of things now. Good place to be because these old cars can use all they can get. Harder on the pumps and bushings for sure but it sure brings them up into the 20th century in a big way. Even if mojo wouldn't have swapped his PS setup.. anything he would have done to move over to positive would have had great results too. Plus he gains a better camber curve without even needing to mention Shelby. The PS upgrade just added more icing on the cake and sets him up to go even higher without making it a bear to drive at slower speeds. Mine will eventually be heavily mod'd to end up somewhere around Chris's setup too. Maybe some additional mod's get me to 7° or more after the plasma and welder get formally introduced to my Comet. Would be pretty tough and very expensive to get too much caster on these old cars.
The full size models had a integral box starting '65, likely it's too large to begin to fit into a Maverick though... Interestingly Mustang never had a integral steering sector, up through '73 used assisted system like Mav/Comet, '74 & up all used rack and pinion...
I heard it from a drunk guy once and always thought these box's originally came from GM? aw hell.. can't remember now. Maybe I was the drunk guy. lol
