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So my wonderful wife got some money and decided to buy me a new hotrod! It runs great, but needs a little bodywork and stuff here and there. the biggest issue is a worn out steering box! stock unit. ive been all over the web lookinh but cant seem to find a new or rebuilt unit, any ideas?
And a factory sun visor. Don't see too many of those surviving the years, too cool.
Congratulations - fun, fun cars that lots can be done to for that fun
At least '52 thru '56 steering boxes for sure will work and most likely it will actually go back to '49. I used a '56, complete with deep dish steering wheel, on my last '53.
Wow,you lucky man, what a wonderful wife you scored back then and heck a differently a keeper for ever with pressies like that. That is a beautiful car and with just enough honey doe's to enable you to leave your own mark on it.
Looks great! Nice car.
I guess you have to let her buy that purse and pair of shoes now though!!!! hehe
Well, look at you, John !!!!!!!!:) I am so happy for you. What year exactly is it? I know somewhere between 52-54, but not saavy enough to tell the differences.
Are you sure it is the steering box, John? Lots of things act like a bad box but it can be idler, tie rod ends, etc. If it is the box there are some adjustments to take up some slop, but if that doesn't work I bet like IC2 says there are some other years that will work.............maybe even an adapter plate to bolt a later box in it's place.
The little lady did good, it is a really sharp car. :) Now wipe that silly grin off of your face ! :LOL:
Don
Its a 53 Don, mainline ive been told, cant tell the difference between the mainline and the customline. She buys all the shoes and purses she wants Don jr, she makes more money than me!
Whip, you nailed it! she is most definatly a keeper! i tried to buy a reliable gas saving car and she said you are buying the hot rod! And too top that she is letting me go to Rio at the end of the month for Rock in rio flying down with the band slipknot.
Im not 100% on ruling gear box totally at this point cause i have not checked the front end yet, but from driving it tracks pretty straight and not much vibration out of the front! lots of play in steering wheel travel though. I heard a rumor a certain volvo box is damn near a perfect replacment, but have not researched this yet.
Thats nice..For the record,my wifes 55Customline had a 54 steering box in it,and because its worn out,and already been rebuilt once,its getting the big biff over the shoulder,and we are using an Aussie power steering box out of a 1987 Falcon..coupled up to a modified 63 Fairlane column and wheel..Our friend Redneck,on here,has done his wifes 55Ranchwagon,and its not a biggie..In case you are wondering,,you guys can get a rebuild kit,I believe,,but it is for a LHD box..so no good down here..Enjoy it..and if you need more grunt,we are using a mid 90s injected 302 and 4speed auto from an Aussie Falcon as well.Should go well..Quote:
Originally Posted by hotroddaddy
I might need to get you too send me the parts for that swap! shipping might kill me though.let me know how that works for ya.
John, pull the cars front tires tight up against a curb so they can't move and have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth in it's play travel while you look at everything from the steering arm down to the arms on the spindles. You will be able to see where the play is coming from. I did that to a car I had years ago and watched the idler arm jumping up and down due to the slop in it. You might have less of a problem then you think.
So tell us more about your new car. Is it still a flathead?
Don
Here is a site that might help you decode the vin number to tell you exactly what model and all you have.
1949 to 1953 Ford Passenger Car VIN Decoding Chart
Don
John nice new addition to the family, and what a lovely wife you have. I feel lucky in that dept. too!
Ill try that method Don! It has a chevy 305 in it with a chevy 350 tranny. hurst ratchet shifter which is kinda a pain! im still trying to figure the rear end, i think its stock, but has around a 411 gear that really messes up highway. Sucks cause im taking it too daytona sat for the rumblers show at the Iron Horse.
Could be difficult..You would end up with a RHD 53 Ford...:DQuote:
Originally Posted by hotroddaddy
My friend has a new spline cut in the original Cusso drop arm,to mate up to the box,and the chassis rail has to be notched,to fit the box in where it belongs..Its a little bit of work,but thats how we have to do things down here..We havent got the same amount of repro bits and pieces at our disposal,we have to experiment and modify,like you guys wouldnt believe..Its called Kiwi ingenuity..:D
Hey,hows ya weather up there at the moment??
Hey John, try Dennis Carpenter for the steering parts. He lists some of the pieces in his catalog and may have more as his inventory changes.
BTW, that Brenda is one fine babe...............you owe her!
Super neat car John!!!!!! Great colors and a really, really nice interior!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter
Yes Bob she is! She finally graduated too.
I did look at that site and he does have some parts, Concours has a complete rebuild kit, but i was hoping to be lazy about it and just do a swap with a new one!Looks like a rebuild is my only option. Im kinda scared of all those ball bearings in those boxes!
IF you determine it IS the box, John, they do show up on Ebay fairly often. If you can get a Hollander Manual to find out all the years that will interchange it will give you a broader range to look for. Most old junkyards will have those manuals and can tell you.
But really be sure first, there are so many other parts in that system that are a lot weaker than the box itself. Also, most boxes have a screw on top or on the side that can be adjusted in to take up wear.
I have some very old Motor Manuals that cover cars of that era, when I go to the shop tonight I'll bring one home and see what I can tell you. Finally, is it possible the PO did something to the draglink to gain clearance for the 305 mill? You will need to get the car jacked up or on a lift to see what all you have going on under there.
I bet you are on cloud 9.............you've waited a long time between cars for this one. :D
Don
I just did a quick check and the idler arm bushings have some play in them. From that moving i cant reallt tell if the tie rods are moving .
Looks great! A wife who understands the sickness sure makes life nice, doesnt it? You could always switch to a 700R4 if that rear end is geared to low for the highway.
That's way good.................she earned it.Quote:
Originally Posted by hotroddaddy
It is good to have a wife who understands..Mine wants the Cusso finished,so I can get onto the Galaxie....cos she wants it ...;)Quote:
Originally Posted by falconvan
John, an idler can put a lot of slop in the steering. Start with that and keep checking, I bet your box will be ok, or just need adjusted. That is good news.Quote:
Originally Posted by hotroddaddy
Don
So i ordered a new front end kit. Inner and outer tie rods and adj sleeves, new draglink and idler arm and bracket. I hope it gets here before friday then i can get it installed before Daytona on sat.
I guess ill start with that and see what happens from there. That will hopefully take alot of the play out of things. I tried to find a complete bushing set, but no luck yet! i figured i should do all at one time.
Don,Are you and the boys gonna try to make it too the show on sat? Kinda a long drive for a small show huh?
No, John. We're going to be busting tail working on Dan's motor. Only less than 90 days till Turkey Run and we have a lot to do on it yet.
Hope you make it for Saturday, have fun. :)
Don
gotta love fords