Best way to align front end before I take it onto alignment rack? is there any tricks with this car or is it straight forward?

 

Not really. (no tricks). I basically, tried to get it as close as possible using the usual home brew methods. The key, is finding a shop with vintage suspension expertise. I found a shop that caters to the local hot-rod and classic car guys. A good source for networking is the car shows.
Good Luck!

 

Do not, under any circumstances, take your car to a generic shop. Been down that road and the latest tech's do not understand caster, camber. Look and clearly understand before you take your classic anywhere. I took my 66 to a reputable shop and 3 hrs later they still didn't have it correct and couldnt get the alignment machine to read inches, "oh ya, we can can align that."...BS! I ended up building my own tools and my alignment is on the money using simple garage built items and a digital $19 level.

 

BTW, about a 6 inch piece of 1/2 tubing notched to clear the balljoint bolts with a piece of stock welded at a perfect 90 will allow you to set your caster. set the digital level on the stock. Understand the upper and lower ball joints should be pivoting on the same axes. In other words if all is set at 0 degrees the upper and lower b/j would be aligned identically.

 

Agree with ↑↑↑. The job isn't nearly as scary as the $$$$$ alignment racks with their computer consoles make you think it is.

Most simple alignments can be DIY'ed to entirely acceptable accuracy, plus you can dial in whatever specs you might want to try without having to argue with enybody or their machine's internal database. If you know you have frame damage/distortion, then you're best off at a race shop anyway.

Once you know what you're measuring (or computing in some cases with other DIY-adaptable methods), the rest is just turning wrenches kind of stuff. You do need to have a little patience and a little idea of what can cause "errors" (such as a not-quite-level driveway) and how to compensate.


Norm