F100 Steering in an "A"? How is it done?

Guys,

Thanks to UPSrodder, I just got a free F100 column and steering gear (well, I still owe him shipping and a T-shirt).

Just curious - I have seen these boxes mounted on top of Model A frame rails, and also I believe I have seen them mounted inside the frame rail. (although I believe an F100 flange requires some grinding to get this done).

I will be running an SBC (yawn, sorry) with it, what are your thoughts, and can you attach some pics of your setups? I also am wondering what type of pitman arm to use. Also, do you typically have to cut down the column length for it to package properly?

There have been some pretty good threads out there in the past on this, I know, but does anyone care to summarize their best method/parts to use?

 

Check with FlamedABone on the board here, I helped him put one of these on his A several years ago.

 

While we're on the subject, would a box and column from a '56 ford truck be the same as the early fifties F-1's? Ive got a lead on good cheap one.

 

I think if you want to go thru the frame, you need to install wedge between the frame and the mounting flange on the steering box. Tardel sells a wedge, if you want to go the easy route, just install and go. Build your own mount if you want to mount it on top of the frame rail.

 

No wedge is needed for a Model A installation, but you do need to change the flange. For ten bucks Vern Tardel will send you his Ford Steering booklet that provides step-by-step instructions for fitting either an F-1 or early F-100 steering to your Model A or a Deuce or '33-'34 frame. The booklet also covers inspection, rebuild, and adjustment of Ford p***enger car (1937-1948) and pickup (1937-1956) boxes and includes parts sources.

VERN TARDEL ENTERPRISES
464 Pleasant Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

 

That manual looks like the ticket, thanks!

 

Do we just send the 10 bucks to him and we will recieve the book? Gotta get one of them for sure

 

Similar, but not the same. One is overshot, the other is undershot - the F1 looks more similar to early Ford & is more compact. The F100 uses a different pitman arm & is bulkier, but fits better in some applications.

 

f-100 fit like **** in my set up. Iam planning on remaking the mount to use the lower bolt and weld a plate to the box on each side of the pitmanarm shaft.

 

Send Vern ten bucks -- cash, check, or money order -- tell him you want the Ford steering book and that's it. Couldn't be simpler.

 

Here's my early F100 box, works fine. Did take a bit of grinding.

 

Hey Kornbinder - when you say grinding, I ***ume you mean to the flange on the F100 box?

Did you use a Model A style flange and weld it to the F100 box or did you just grind and redrill holes in the F100?

Thanks for the info.

 

Oh yeah, one more thing, does the F100 box go into the model A frame in the old Model A steering mount area on the frame? (i.e. near or in the holes?)

Also, was the length of the column correct as it was?

 

I wonder if he accepts Paypal?

 

I'm in Alaska on my way home this morning. If the weather has cleared up when I get there and I can get to the roadster I'll try and take a few more pictures. The box mounts close to the original position in the frame. I grafted the f100 steering shft to the model a and used the a's column etc.

 

will Vern be in Turdlock again this year, in a few weeks? will he have these pamphlets for sale? if so, what's his spot # so i can get over there early, before they all sell.

thanks,
sb

 

Does Vern have a phone#

 

Vern will be there. Don't know his space number.

 

FAX only -- 707-838-6065

 

Here's a few more pictures for you, qzjrd5. Notice how close it is to the starter.

 

Kornbinder,

What kinda flange is that on the box? This must be modified right? My F100 flange doesn't fit inside the frame rail nice like that!

How did you do it? Tardel says to either adapt a Model A flange to the F100 box by cutting off the F100 flange and welding on the A flange, or use one of his flanges he sells at his website.

Yours looks like neither. It has 3 mounting locations (unlike the A) and doesn't look like the Tardel piece. I dig it. How the hell was it done???

Thanks,
Mike

 

Maybe I am just a little slow - is that just the F100 flange "ground down" to fit in the rail with new holes drilled where you could drill them?

Great pics by the way, I appreciate you takin' em for me.

Mike

 

Answering my own question; Yes he does, I just bought a booklet.

 

Another FNG question, what's the advantage of either of these boxes over the original "A" stuff?

Just picked up a '28 Coop and trying to pick up everything I can here.

Good Stuff!

 

Model-A through '36 had a worm & gear style sector like this '35:


'37 & up used a worm & roller sector like this Chevy one (they're all very similar):


The F1/F100 boxes are used because they're drag steering like the early Fords up until '35 when they switched to cross steering.

 

I think Vern is usually in the "I" row or the next one over at Turlock on the paved "back section" opposite side of the cars for sale. The right side of the picture in Green.

http://www.turlockswapmeet.com/2005SwapMeet Portrait2.pdf

 

Which year model is this pitman arm from, or is it a combination of two arms? I have a totally different looking arm in my f1-box.