adapting '35 steering box to '28 A

[woofa.express]

the slop takes the pleasure out of driving or should I say just makes a simple task difficult.
I have a good condition '35 steering box I'd like to adapt. The vertical measurement is a big to fit into the chassis. Has anyone modified the chassis to accommodate same.
all the F100 boxes are near impossible to find so that's not an option. We are R.H.D.

[Lawrie]

get one of the books from one of the suppliers,on Ford sterring boxes,it show how to fit a later box into the A.
If you can find the book let me know and will look for the one I have
Lawrie

[Charlie Stephens]

A couple of thoughts. I believe you should reduce the size of the steering box mounting pad and leave the chassis alone. Another thought, when is the last time you heard someone say they installed a '35 ford steering box and liked it? Have you ever heard someone say it felt like power steering (a comment often heard in reference to the F100 truck boxes)?

Have you tried placing a "wanted" ad for the RHD F100 box? Have you contacted Randy Gross and asked if he had any?

Charlie Stephens

[Charlie Stephens]

Did you notice that the '35 started the cross steering (where the steering link goes across the car to the spindle on the opposite side)?

Charlie Stephens

[woofa.express]

If you can find the book let me know and will look for the one I have
Lawrie[/QUOTE]
Thankyou Lawrie, let me get back to you please. gary

[woofa.express]

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Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Did you notice that the '35 started the cross steering (where the steering link goes across the car to the spindle on the opposite side)?

Charlie Stephens

Thankyou Charlie. It is a traditional steering box with pitman and pushrod. gary

[woofa.express]

Have you tried placing a "wanted" ad for the RHD F100 box? Have you contacted Randy Gross and asked if he had any?

Charlie Stephens[/QUOTE]
I did contact one rebuilder in USA but don't recall his name. this fellow had none. thanks, gary

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by woofa.express

Thankyou Charlie. It is a traditional steering box with pitman and pushrod. gary

That brings up another question, are you sure it is a '35? I must admit that Ford may have used different suspension in Australia and my information may not be accurate since I am not really into the '35. How about some pictures?

Now for a bit of trivia that you may already know. What I consider the first major improvement after the Model A came in 1937 when the sector shaft was redesigned to replace the gear teeth on the end with a gear mounted in a roller. This roller mounted gear continued through the F100 truck (and probably longer). I am not sure the '35 would give you the improvement you want. See attached.

Charlie Stephens

[woofa.express]

here it is, the '35 steering box that I'd like to adapt to my 28 Pickup.

[28CCPU]

Try Randy Gross he may be able to help you out

[Charlie Stephens]

The 68 at the beginning of the part number says it is a '36. It is not going to have the roller that I show in Post #8. If it is better than a Model A it is because of leverage. Also note it is cross steering that you are going to have two incorporate into your modification. I wouldn't spend the time on it. What did Randy Gross say when you contacted him?

Charlie Stephens

[Dave Slater]

Just a thought - Why don't you get Rob Turner to rebuild a 1928 - 1929 steering box for you using a encentric bush and roller needle bearings on the sector. No modifications required to chassis- bolts right in. Rob can also put the nylon steering bits in the front end to make it easier to steer. Dave

[Jim Brierley]

I've seen a '55-'59 Chevy 1/2 ton Chevy pickup adapted into a Model A. They are recirculating ball boxes, and very easy to steer. Might be worth looking at???

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by Dave Slater

Just a thought - Why don't you get Rob Turner to rebuild a 1928 - 1929 steering box for you using a encentric bush and roller needle bearings on the sector. No modifications required to chassis- bolts right in. Rob can also put the nylon steering bits in the front end to make it easier to steer. Dave

Hi Dave. I have spoken to Rob in hope that the gemmer box components could be adapted and the answer was no. It seems every one knew that except Gary but when I view the two boxes that was the obvious answer. Also those I ask all say the 28 box will still have much slop regardless of what bearings or bushes I use. the steering is the only thing that distracts from total driving pleasure. It also seems replacing this steering box with a 30 model gemmer is probably the simplest modification, it's just that I have this 35 model on my shelf. I'll give you a call when I get home. cheers, gary

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

The 68 at the beginning of the part number says it is a '36. It is not going to have the roller that I show in Post #8. If it is better than a Model A it is because of leverage. Also note it is cross steering that you are going to have two incorporate into your modification. I wouldn't spend the time on it. What did Randy Gross say when you contacted him?

Charlie Stephens

Hi Charlie, yes I did wonder if Randy Gross had any from an imported RHD imported from South America but no he didn't. I can get one from New Zealand and that is probably the way I'll go. thanks Charlie and cheers, gary

[Dave Slater]

Gary. I have a new RHD sector and a new worm for a 7 tooth steering box and if we use them along with the encentric bush Robert can remove all of the slop in the box and we machine out the sector housing and install needle bearings it will be a lot easier to drive.

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by Dave Slater

Gary. I have a new RHD sector and a new worm for a 7 tooth steering box and if we use them along with the encentric bush Robert can remove all of the slop in the box and we machine out the sector housing and install needle bearings it will be a lot easier to drive.

thanks for that Dave. I'm in Queensland and will give you a call when I get home. It's a bit silly coming to Queensland when the weather is still warm at home isn't it. cheers, gary

[Lawrie]

Where in QLD are you.
I will look out the book tpday,
also my 28 steers great, like Dave said, machine the shaft make and fit an ecentric bush and its nearly as good as new,
Lawrie

[Pete]

When you use a cross steering box in a side steering application, you have to have the pitman arm up instead of down or it will steer backwards.

In the later boxes like the 37 to 48 with the roller sector, you can convert them to have the pitman arm down by using 37 Hudson gears. No machining involved.

[Lawrie]

Woofa, the book is called FORD steering, service,repair and modification,
Its by Vern Tardel, one of the let me help you series.
booklet no 1.
lawrie

[Synchro909]

Rob Turner is not the only guy who can rebuild a 7 tooth box nicely (accentric bushes) around here. Fellow Model A club member Fred Motschall also does them.
Have you considered putting a RHD 2 tooth box in? I know they are hard to lay your hands on but it is possible. I have a spare pair of castings and the rest of them is available new.

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

Rob Turner is not the only guy who can rebuild a 7 tooth box nicely (accentric bushes) around here. Fellow Model A club member Fred Motschall also does them.
Have you considered putting a RHD 2 tooth box in? I know they are hard to lay your hands on but it is possible. I have a spare pair of castings and the rest of them is available new.

Hi Mr Synchro. I now have a 30 steering box and I don't know it's quality status but the cog with the two teeth looks only marginally worn. I also have a 35 steering box but this won't accommodate the horn and light shafts. That does not greatly concern me as I would put on what is your modification, the spacer to hang the steering shaft onto the body and mount horn and lights plus turn indicators and temp gauge to that. Getting someone to do that maybe a problem. The legals don't worry me. I am open to suggestions. cheers, gary

[quickchange]

The RHD F100 box is is much different than a LHD one , not only in shape etc , Im trying to machine one up now, We produce the RHD drop coloum mount, Also the new short RHD pitman arm, I have a number of gemmer RHD steering boxes in stock plus the new worm & sectors if required , Only thing better than a gemmer box with short pitman arm would be Randys E100 box but is lhd, huge job to convert a RHD f100 box to fit , Go for the 30-31 gemmer , easy simple , all A bits fit ,

[updraught]

Not sure about NZ, but I don't think many Ford F100's or Chev 1/2 ton were sold here.
Most people used a ute, and anything bigger was probably an International.
International Harvester originally competed with our Sunshine Harvester and then built trucks here due to import restrictions.

[Tudortomnz]

The eccentric bush in the 7 tooth non adjust '28 '29 'box is a good fix ; it renewed my steering box, done approx. 20 years ago.
A lot of early A's also have had the '30 '31 RHD Gemmer 'box put in, but means you have to use keyed late wheel & column is a bit shorter too. There were no RHD adjustable boxes in '29 [as in LHD]. Cheers.

[woofa.express]

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Originally Posted by quickchange

The RHD F100 box is is much different than a LHD one , not only in shape etc , Im trying to machine one up now, We produce the RHD drop coloum mount, Also the new short RHD pitman arm, I have a number of gemmer RHD steering boxes in stock plus the new worm & sectors if required , Only thing better than a gemmer box with short pitman arm would be Randys E100 box but is lhd, huge job to convert a RHD f100 box to fit , Go for the 30-31 gemmer , easy simple , all A bits fit ,

good day N.Z. I see you lost the cricket on opinion but won it according to the rules. I see also you were pipped on the steepest street. Wales in UK has an extra 1.7 degrees gradient. You do try hard and effort will bring reward. good luck.
It was my intention to buy an overhauled box from you but one member bought to my attention a RHD box on ebay, which I won. thankyou for your response. cheers, gary

[woofa.express]

A thankyou to respondents.
Many readers responded with helpful suggestions and theywere all useful suggestions. One reader pointed out to me a gemmer on sale onebay, located in Sydney which I purchased. I can’t find the name of the fellowin either this thread or inward correspondence. I wish to thank him, so if you,the informant reads this please accept my thankyou with gratitude. You could also adviseyour name and contact details.
So thankyou again all you helpful readers. Just wish youAmericans who made these cars drove on the left side of the road.