Thread: whose Chassis does everyone like?

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I'm using 37 split wishbones. I thought about making a reinforcing plate for the box, but now that I see that one I will probably buy it. Especially since it has a wedge shape to it and would probably be difficult to make. Does anyone make aftermarket pitman arms in various lengths? I would also like to be able to put the common Ford tie rod end on the bottom of pitman arm and to steering knuckle to simplify things.

As I recall, the Belond headers for the flathead were not symmetric and there was a special shape for the left side to avoid conflict with the steering box so a mockup without permanent welding at first seems like a good idea; maybe with headers on the engine. I applaud the idea of making a '50s set up but maybe looking at old Hot Rod magazines in your local library could help recreate what was the de facto setup in the '50s. Also maybe the front boxing only has to extend 6" or so from the front crossmember since the flathead mounts are on the water pumps rather in the center of the engins as with the now-common SBC setup. I keep thinking a '76 SBC is "modern"!

Don Shillady
Retired (?) Scientist/Teen Rodder

Pretty much any hotrod shop has Pittman arms

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/GmSear...itleDescr=True

http://www.yogisinc.com/results.cfm/...93/product.htm

I see plenty of pitman arms for GM and Vega boxes, but no Ford's. But I haven't checked So Cal yet.

The '56 Ford steering box set up is an old "classic" but may be tricky to recreate today. As to the location, it might be worth a long distance call to Brookville in Ohio since they routinely set up various jigs for Model A and Deuce frames, I had several useful chats with them regarding trans mounts and location of either power or standard master cyllinder locations. However they may try to talk you into a Vega box with a '35 style cross-steer setup. Articles on Magoo's '29 on Deuce rails emphasize the good qualities of the cross steering configuration and on the A frame I have there is plenty of clearance underneath for the extra tie rod. Hey it sounds like you have a collection of some neat parts, but all I can say is that the flathead exhaust manifold was a tight fit on the left side and maybe a Vega box can give more clearance and a cross steering setup. You could say you car was built in '75 with a '73 Vega box and still have an "early rod"! If you investigate the history of the flathead you may find that the Granatelli-Fords in 1934 (all 3)lost the Indy-500 due to the steering box seizing up due to heat from the very close exhaust manifold!

Don Shillady
Retired (?) Scientist/Teen rodder

Start here and look around the rest of the site; http://www.verntardel.com/catalog/chassis.html

Good prices on some parts I need, but still no pitman arm. It is also nice to know that the 56 gearbox conversion fits in the same holes as the 32 box(according to the description of the adapter plate they sell) I do have a pattern of where the original 32 box holes were.

The Pittman arm you need can be found here: http://www.classicautopartsgroup.com...%22Steering%22

Part # FO3-4555-200 $89.95

That's a stock 56 pitman arm, I'm looking for one I can run a standard Ford tie rod end on the drag link.

Originally Posted by Ralph Moore

That's a stock 56 pitman arm, I'm looking for one I can run a standard Ford tie rod end on the drag link.

If the problem is the tapered hole in the arm, Speedway has a reamer, p/n 910-89411 @$79.95, (and I do as well and no longer need )

I don't know if you could mod the original pitman arm to take a tie rod end. The 53-56 truck arm has the ball on the drag link end, which is bent up slightly from the end.You would have to cut that off and then drill/ream the hole. But then it might be too short, which would increase bump steer problems.???????

Ralph,
Is that ball bolted on as some vehicles have had in the past or is it forged as an integral part of the arm - obviously I'm not familiar with that pitman arm and I can't enlarge the picture. I also looked in the Mac's truck catalog as well but they don't have any picture.

What would prevent you from making your own pitman arm or do you have a dearth of machine shops in your part of AK. I does look fairly simple and a good grade of steel would do the job - again, I can't see enough detail.

The ball is forged as part of the pitman arm. Yea, my last resort will be to make a part, maybe I should just search the junkyards.

Originally Posted by Ralph Moore

The ball is forged as part of the pitman arm. Yea, my last resort will be to make a part, maybe I should just search the junkyards.

Ralph,
Probably anything that vintage has been crushed and sent to Japan to make new Toyotas and Hondas as for the most part has happened around here . Good luck!!

I have a pete and jakes chassis under my car and am very happy with it. The only thing I would do different now is spend the extra money and get the american stamping rails (which they tried to talk me into but I was the one that didn't listen).