Thread: Fender clearance for '37 Buick Roadmaster

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Hi Dave,
Thanks for the feedback. Please check my math. One of my favorite options for my 1937 Buick Roadmaster is a 2003-2004 Crown Vic/Grand Marquis front suspension. See attached picture of one my friend just installed one on his ford truck. Initially I thought the suspen was too wide based on dimensions another hot rod builder shared. Turns our his Buick was the same year as mine, but was a 2dr bus. coupe where-as mine is a large 4-dr sedan. So I finally got my garage built and my car moved in. I measured the front fenders by clamping 2x4s to the outside using a level to make them vertical. Measuring this distance and then subtracting the width of the lip on each fender I have 74.37 inside clearance directly in-line with the front axle.
The 03 Crown Vic front track is 63.4" and stock tires are 225/60-16 or a width of 8.8". Adding this to the track gives an outside dim of 72.26" or 1.06" clearance per side. If I use 205 (8.07") wide tires the clearance per side increases to 1.45".
1) This does not take into account the lock to lock clearance, or the camber gain you mentioned.
2) Does clearance reduce, or increase when wheels are turned?
3) You mentioned that clearance is checked at mock-up. Do you remove the springs/shocks to check clearance at extremes?
4) You mentioned 7 deg camber gain. Does this translate to the top or the wheel moving outward at a 7 deg angle. Radius of a 205-65 R16 tire is 13.25" so by trig does this means the top moves out 1.62"? If so, then do I need at least 1.5+1.62=3.13" clearance on each side in the middle postion of travel?
5) I want to be sure an option will work before I buy a suspension. I could probably find a Crown Vic to measure clearances in center, and locked positions so I can see how turning effects clearance. I could also go to a narrower tire if needed.
Thanks for your help