57 ford steering box interchange

Does anyone know if a steering box from a car with a fordomatic interchanges with a manual trans box?


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They are all the same except for the column,now there might be a ratio difference between p/s and non p/s

 

Thanks i just wasnt sure. Bought a parts car and was taking the box out today and realized it was a little different. Just wanted to make sure i could still use it with no problems. And I'm not sure about the ratio i would think its the same since the power steering is just that ram ***ist like a mustang. Thanks for your help


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All 57 car steering box are the same stick or auto. Just change the mast jacket. Same for 58 Ford cars, however they are different steering boxes between 57 and 58 Cars. They will however interchange between the 2 years.
The Wizzard

 

Thanks! Happy to know im not wasting my time! Haha


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Sorry to drag this back up but im finally ready to swap boxes. I got the box and column out but can deprecate the box from the shaft. Before i mangle something up do they even split? Or do i unbolt the too part? I was thinking of heating it up and tapin it off with a hammer but i dont know if thats how it goes. Thanks agin!


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I may be incorrect, but I believe the steering shaft is one piece. You will need to remove the steering wheel and ***ociated parts before you can separate the mast from the box.

 

That sounds right...take the wheel off, then it should be a little easier. Back in the old days, the steering shaft and worm gear were almost always one piece. Having them as separate parts started in the late 50s-early 60s

 

Okay my dad said it might be like that. Only reason im wondering is because my ford manual says non ford o matic (my wagon) comes out separate. The donor (guessing ford i matic) had to come out with the column. So if this one has to be done like u guys are saying i guess ill just have to get the other box out to see how to swap it over


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The shaft all the way to the steering wheel nut is one piece. It does not come apart at the box. Remove the steering wheel using a wheel puller not a hammer. Then loosen the clamp at the bottom of of outter tube. Then the mast jacket slides off the inner shaft.
The Wizzard

 

Okay. Makes sense. So then that shaft unbolts from the box after removal? Is it the same for the other style box?


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The shaft doesn't really "unbolt", it's a part of the gear that is inside the box.

 

Like Squirrel said. The Box and the Shaft are all 1 piece. Ford did not use a rag joint till 1960. Why do you want to take the shaft off the Box?
The Wizzard

 

Sorry guys i dont think im asking my question right. I wanna put the box from the ford o matic into my car with a manual. Im just not sure exactly wat is different and how to swap it over. one i separate the box will it just go in to my column? Thanks again and sorry im not explaining myself clearly. (Hands on kinda guy. Sure u can relate)


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The manual does not say that the gear and column come out separately. It says that you can pull the ***embly out thru the inside of the car if it has an automatic, but you must pull it out the bottom if it has manual shift.

 

Oooo. So either way its coming with the column. Think im to used to working on new cars! So then do like u guys said with taking the wheel and the column off the box. Okay makes sense!


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The steering box and shaft will fit just fine. The steering mast and shifter linkage from your stick shift car will go right on the box once the automatic stuff is pulled off. Just make sure that they are both 57 columns. 58s look the same but wont fit due to Fords change in steering boxes in 58.

 

Yea they are both 57s. And not much to swap over since i made my car a big block car. Hope the column will fit out the bottom! Thanks agin forthe help guys. If anyone has any more advice id love to hear it!


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Got the donor apart! Thanks guys!


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Well I hope it's not to late to tell you this but you "DO NOT" need to remove the complete box just to change the mast jacket. Get the steering wheel off and the tin covers at the floor. Undo the bottom clamp on the mast jacket and pull up. Disconnect the signal wires. It will come right off the fixed shaft and out. Slide the new one on and put it back together. Noting to it really.
The Wizzard

 

But I think his original steering box is "***s up".

 

Pist n broke i want to change the box. Is the mast the part with the turn signal switch attached? Just want to make sure i understand u. Thanks again.


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Yes. The mast jacket is the 1 1/2" piece of tubing you are looking at often called the steering column. It also houses the turn signal switch and has the shift unit mounted on it. The steering shaft is inside of it and has the Steering wheel mounted to it. They are 2 seperate items working as a unit.
The Wizzard

 

The only place I ever heard it called a mast jacket, was at the junkyard 30 + years ago. Oh...and in Hollanders

 

Okay just wanted to make sure. Thats what i thought u were talking about. Thanks for answering all my questions


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Funny how terms and names change from both Location and Ages. I'm so damn old I'm almost beyond understanding anything anymore.
The Wizzard

 

I just replaced the steering box on my 57 but went with the better 59 box replacement. Mines a manual trans and I pulled it out through the p***enger compartment. Just had to remove the z bar to get it out. 57 mast jacket was different (too long) but nothing a cutoff tool wouldn't fix. Once completed, the car steers waaay better than with the 57 box.

 

That seems to be what everyone is saying. Maybe I'll try and track one down. By me it seems harder to find ford parts. (I probably just dont know who to ask or where to look) i just ended up buying a whole parts car so hopefully this box will last me a few years and maybe I'll come across one and save it for later. Is that later box the same size and shape? Only reason i ask is because with the 460 in there is hardly any room for the stock box. Also read about some people using a 63 galaxie box but again was worried about finding the part (plus making a column work) and space.


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I don't see where you mention having a 460 in this car. You were just asking about Auto to Standard jacket changes or Steering Box as you called it. A 460 in a 57 ch***is brings up several issues. Personally you couldn't pay me to use a 460. There are several better choices in the Ford family.
The Wizzard

 

I was just asking about the box honestly. And since i was putting a 57 box in a 57 car i didnt see y wat motor i had in mattered. And i agree i had some issues using the 460 mostly with parts for this application and your opinion is all your own but I'll tell u that big block lights the tires up and boogies for half the price of a small block!


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