Starting to build my 3 springer Model A on 27 Chevy frame. Tomorrow picking up a Model A axle and plan to swap my F1 spindles, brakes and steering onto the A axle. I know there is no issue with the spindles fitting onto that axle as that has been done since the 50s,,, but the steering has me stumped? Can I keep the standard F1 steering arms and run split bones? Happy to run standard to 3 inch stretch and dropped axle if I can keep the arms. The less aftermarket parts in this thing the better. It's all RHD steering (From all things a South African imported F1,) but that should not matter as it's a mirror reverse of LHD steering ***y. The F1 axle looks at least a 3 inch drop standard.
Your question has me a bit confused. Most three springers here in the states were parallel leafs in the front with a early Ford transverse spring in the rear. You start by asking about the Model A axle and split bones and then your last line refers to the F1 axle. With the parts you have I would use the F1 axle or a tube copy in the front with parallel leaf springs and a transverse spring in the rear. Check out the early Bonneville cars and early sprint car threads. Good Luck.
By 3 springer I would be reverse to the normal, Model A crossmembers in the front and parallel springs in the rear. Model A transverse front spring in the front with F1 spindles, brakes and steering. Would like to keep my standard steering from the F1 with the transverse setup.
He's on the other side of the world, so steering is on the wrong side, and springs are on the wrong ends. All those parts can be made to work together. Are the F-1 kingpins the same diameter as the Model A?
Yes, they will go right on without issue. The steering arms can be handled by cutting the stockers off and using any of the bolt on '37-'48 type arms that are sold by the hot rod after market. The left spindle (here) and I would imagine the right spindle down under with the steering arm is the bug-a-boo on this deal as the boss for the arm itself is a huge round eyelet. I have cut that off and built some weld on the backside of the lug and smoothed it out to good effect. If you are wanting traditional side steering, a regular hoop type steering arm can be used on either side.
Thats not really a "3 springer" even if it does have a total of 3. The look of a traditional 3 springer comes from the use of 2 leaf springs in front. I wouldn't worry about pigeon holeing it as a 3 springer...just build it, whatever it is, and make it cool!
So F1 spindles will fit on p***enger car axles?? I have a couple pair of F1 spindles in great shape I didn't think I could use. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
But can the stock F1 steering be used at all? Where is the interference,,,, The split bones? The A axle? I am happy to have the A axle or the steering arms bent to clear, will be a side steer and have all the F1 steering up to the pitman arm and was hoping to incorporate it in my build. Thanks for the replies. PS Was going to run the complete F1 axle but the only way it would fit was to widen the front crossmember 3 " and the axle just looked too beefy.
Looks like the spindle eye would clear either an A or V-8 dropped axle; but I didn't have the F-1 arm to compare (s****ped). The steering arms would have to be bent down to clear both the axle and the wishbone, and since the arm for the drag link starts right by the tie rod eye it would be pretty awkward to get it bent to where it would be workable. Could trim it off and just use a hoop or slingshot arm; but you would still have the ugly. Since you have a L/H spindle with a decent arm, why not see if you could come up with a LHD drive R/H spindle. Don't know how hard that would be in your part of the world, tho. Of course, t******* and bolt on arms always works too.
Nobody is going to know this until you mock it up. How high your spring sits, or how wide you split the bones, how much is the axle dropped, how flat is the crossmember? These will all add to the equation. If you were installing all this onto a stock A frame it might even bolt in with a couple drilled holes. But any time you modify something you will just need to mock it up to find the answer.
Thanks all for the info, Yes will just have to get all the parts together and see how it fits. In that photo the A axle has about a 4" drop, less drop on my axle and it just might fit hopefully. I have to say the bolt on arms do look good. Went to pick up the A axle today and he was not there, have to wait a few days to find out.
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