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11-16-2021, 05:52 PM | #1 |
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My next adventure
In my previous vacuum guage thread I closed with “off to the next adventure” I will add also the the motor runs great even though I suspect it’s a little tired but I don’t want to check the compression and open that can of worms, something’s are better left unknown for the present.
My next project is to refinish the steering wheel. It’s off and in the final stages of JB weld and sanding, the column drop is refinished as is the tube and the center cap. But I made the mistake of trying to take up some of the steering wheel play and while the tires were off the ground I checked for lose wheel bearings turned them right and left and the steering box sounds like a rock crusher. I would like to take it out but I don’t have a hoist. The headers look a little in the way for going out through the passenger compartment. So finally the question. Can I get it out the bottom? I was thinking of possibly just getting the whole axle assembly out of the way?
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11-17-2021, 12:04 AM | #2 |
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Re: My next adventure
I have read where a lot of people, even at the request of the rebuilder cut the shaft and tube maybe six inches above the box and send it in that way. Sleeve the shaft and weld back. If it were me I would cut it now, deal with it, rebuild etc and weld er up. Think about the stresses. Shaft maybe 5/8" , circumference like an inch and 3/4 of weld to shear off by arm strength.
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Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson) |
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11-17-2021, 07:10 AM | #3 |
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Re: My next adventure
Thanks GB. That’s an approach I wouldn’t have thought of but something I could do.
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11-23-2021, 05:34 PM | #4 |
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Re: My next adventure
Does anyone have more advice before I cut the steering shaft to remove the steering box? I will get the sleeve before I cut and index it for length and clocking. Any more input would be appreciated.
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11-23-2021, 08:21 PM | #5 | |
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Re: My next adventure
Quote:
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11-24-2021, 07:08 AM | #6 |
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Re: My next adventure
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11-24-2021, 07:30 AM | #7 | |
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Re: My next adventure
Quote:
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11-24-2021, 09:33 AM | #8 |
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Re: My next adventure
Hey Crankster! Right now something’s are best unknown. It runs ok, doesn’t smoke, has its share of blowby. Had it out to repair oil pan leak and from what I saw it looks old but what I don’t know or want to know is how tired it is. It also steered OK, just a little slop that I tried to adjust out and then like I said I made the mistake of grabbing hold of a wheel and turning it right and left and heard the marbles rattling around, now I HAVE TO FIX it. Maybe next year I’ll do the compression test and HAVE TO freshen the engine up. Just trying to keep the money bleed under control.
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11-24-2021, 10:41 AM | #9 |
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Re: My next adventure
I have a stupid question. If one has a lift (or can get the car jacked up far enough), can the steering gear be removed from the bottom after removing the steering wheel and the appropriate fasteners?
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11-24-2021, 11:13 AM | #10 |
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My next adventure
Yabut, that's what I'm trying to tell you, if it's pulling 20" vacuum you already know compression is acceptable. Don't stress over this! Try some Marvel's in both the gas and oil per the directions on the can if it seems a little down on power.
Lower compression is caused by excessive wear in piston rings and cylinders but oftentimes this can be deceptive, in vintage engines it can also be caused by excessive carbon & gum varnish resulting in stuck piston rings. A solvent like Marvel's really helps with this, it was designed for dissolving carbon and gum residues, it also helps keeps valves moving freely too. It won't repair worn rings, but it's worth eliminating stuck rings as a possibility. |
11-24-2021, 12:30 PM | #11 |
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Re: My next adventure
Tubman, I guess this is exactly what I’m going to find out but the info I’ve run across says you need a lift. Stupid me for building with 10’ ceiling and having other toys. I have decided to jack it up and see what clearance I have. If not enough I will remove the front axle assy.
Crankster, I wouldn’t know if it is down on power from what it should be. I drive a ‘14 F150 3.5 Ecoboost so the flathead is definitely down on power in comparison. Since I set the timing and carb plus the guide for the pedal rod so it wasn’t moving side to side 4” it is way better than before. I can sense it being strangled at higher rpm’s so I’m thinking about a Merc manifold and GM two barrel and a modified sbc distributor. But that’s a ways off. Right now I’m just happy as a hog in slop driving it, glass packs, 3 on the floor, no power steering or brakes.
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11-24-2021, 12:58 PM | #12 | |
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Re: My next adventure
Quote:
I don't know why the steering box could not be removed from the bottom. The picture below shows what is likely a '38 Ford because of the visible cable conduits for the cable brakes. Otherwise, it ought to be pretty close to what you have. This picture shows the RUSTY engine pans in place. MOST cars of this vintage have had their engine pans removed. Without the pans in place, I'm not sure that there would be any problem with the box/column coming out the bottom except for possibly the tie rod being in the way. Tie rods come off easily! Second shot shows a straight-down view of the drag link and tie rod on another '38 with V8-60 engine (that goofy-looking bracket is a V8-60 engine mount). With drag link disconnected, that box/column should almost FALL out of there. DD |
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11-24-2021, 02:33 PM | #13 |
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Re: My next adventure
I have a 1937 5 window coupe. I was able to remove the entire steering box and column assembly out through the car with the steering wheel installed. The seat was not attached to the floor and the left floorboard was removed. Also no engine in the frame. I don't know if having the engine installed would prevent getting the steering box through the opening.
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11-24-2021, 03:48 PM | #14 |
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Re: My next adventure
The headers welded to the exhaust pipes on mine look to block the out through the inside route. I have the steering wheel off, the column tube the column drop and the horn/light switch rod removed.
Another question: are both of the upper bushings for the steering shaft the same? My top one didn’t look the same as the just above the column drop. But the top one was more deteriorated than the bottom one. It was soft and gooey and conformed to the flare as it poked out of the column outer tube.
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11-24-2021, 05:51 PM | #15 |
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Re: My next adventure
I started on the steering box project. It’s up in the air, ties dangling from the spring. Pitman arm nut off via a punch on the slots in the nut (I’ll have to get the proper socket for reassembly. Dropping the drag link was a little more challenging but a little heat from a small butane torch convinced it!
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11-24-2021, 06:15 PM | #16 | |
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Re: My next adventure
Quote:
Yikes ...You had better check that seal where the sector exits the steering box casting. That much concentrated heat may have fried the seal. You mean that everybody doesn't have a Pitman arm puller? Mine's a "Lisle" brand that I've likely had for 55 years now. DD . |
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11-25-2021, 06:27 AM | #17 |
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Re: My next adventure
I’m not thinking that seal was warmed much. It’s just a micro butane torch and I only used it on the drag link end of the pitman arm. Thanks
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11-25-2021, 12:14 PM | #18 |
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Re: My next adventure
Box is out and disassembled. Pitman arm popped off with the three jaw gear puller. Sector gear is toast, worm gear is toast, all the bearings are toast. But the sector shaft bushings look and feel good with the old shaft. Now to source parts. Get the one bearing cup ( steering wheel shaft) out and clean things up.
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12-01-2021, 07:19 PM | #19 |
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Re: My next adventure
I tackled the steering wheel. Ground out cracks and filled with JBWeld
[url]https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5387&pictureid=43571[ After. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=44297
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Cheers, Jim&Sandy McGregor, IA Last edited by miniceptor86; 12-02-2021 at 05:13 PM. |
12-01-2021, 08:59 PM | #20 |
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Re: My next adventure
I don't think the "Before" picture posted correctly, but the "After" looks great!
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12-02-2021, 07:01 AM | #21 |
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Re: My next adventure
I think I fixed the before picture.
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12-02-2021, 07:01 AM | #22 |
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Re: My next adventure
Thanks
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12-02-2021, 01:58 PM | #23 |
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Re: My next adventure
NOT ....but the "After" sure is pretty! DD |
12-02-2021, 04:52 PM | #24 |
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Re: My next adventure
"Before" worked for me this morning. Perhaps it is because he just posted a new link and left the old one which didn't work (and still doesn't).
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12-02-2021, 05:04 PM | #25 |
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Re: My next adventure
Thanks.
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12-02-2021, 05:26 PM | #26 |
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Re: My next adventure
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12-02-2021, 08:05 PM | #27 |
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Re: My next adventure
I got a kit from Early Ford parts in San Dimas. Thanks,
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12-02-2021, 10:04 PM | #28 |
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Re: My next adventure
In my book you qualify for the 'Legends in JB Weld' award! Holy cow. Earl Scruggs would be proud to wield a banjo like that! Hmmmm I before E except after C. Hmmmmm
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Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson) |
12-02-2021, 10:10 PM | #29 |
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Re: My next adventure
...."or preceding a "G", as in "neighbor" and weigh".
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12-03-2021, 08:07 AM | #30 |
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Re: My next adventure
Thanks, the JB “wield” was pretty good to work with. In the bigger gaps it took two applications and even some masking tape to keep it from sagging.
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12-03-2021, 05:43 PM | #31 |
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Re: My next adventure
Moving on, I have the steering box kit from early ford parts and I have the sector roller fitted to the shaft. How should I fix the roller pin (that goes through the needle bearings) so it does not come out of the holder? The old one was mushroomed on both ends, I had to grind an end off. The new pin is chamfered.
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12-13-2021, 10:29 AM | #32 |
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Re: My next adventure
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=44344
Steering wheel and rebuilt box installed. What next? I know it’s a question only I can answer. There is still that “vacuum” after one project is done. Guess I’ll fill it with two wheels during our record breaking warm spell.
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12-13-2021, 11:23 AM | #33 |
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Re: My next adventure
That looks great!
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12-13-2021, 11:43 AM | #34 |
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Re: My next adventure
Very nice work on that steering wheel! Sounds like you're going through all the systems - one at a time . . . way to go!
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12-13-2021, 12:02 PM | #35 |
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Re: My next adventure
86 you have done a masterful job on the wheel, and I can only say that you will do the same on the s box.
Merry Christmas. jim |
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