Here is another from way back. I am a fan of angling the steering boxes down like Ford did 35-48. It helps with steering shaft clearance and also header clearance. The shaft can run a lot straighter. The box is a Vega with a modified original arm. Pics from my roadster built in 1990.
The steering box does not have to be mounted in the engine compartment. Mount it on the back of the center cross member. Lots of room for a REALLY big engine then.
I had a friend that mounted a cross steer box in the regular position. The trouble started when it steered backwards. What to do?? He turned the pitman arm around and angled the spindle arm. The drag link angled forward at about 45*. It worked just fine for many years. It looked stupid as hell.
Normally a box mounted behind the axle in cross steer needs the pitman arm pointed forward. And ahead of the axle needs the pitman arm pointed back. I'm not even sure how you'd mount one inside the cab unless it was push-pull, and not cross steer. And having a little angle forward or back on the drag link for cross steer is OK, but too much changes steering and makes it feel goofy.
I started putting Vega steering box's in 32's in 1973 . Angled them just as you've shown , nothing new . . .
I think the OP’s statement about the ‘35/‘48 steering box being ‘angled down’ is a little misleading. The ‘35 models introduced the cross steer design (vs the side steer drag link) and that did require moving the steering gear box forward and lowering it to better align the steering linkage. However, the photo he posted shows the steering box nearly horizontal with a flex joint to accommodate the angle of the steering column shaft. On the ‘35/‘48 models referenced, the steering box was not flat, but followed the steering column angle with no flex joint. That change did improve the engine/ steering box clearance in most cases but still left the column running along side the engine. Ray
X38, So what is going to happen ? I am going to loose control? It has safety interlocking steel parts so it can only move a fraction if the rubber fails. The rubber could be taken out and I doubt if it would be noticeable. It reduces vibration and allows some axial movement to compensate for heat expansion and stress deflection. My installation has very little angle to it. It has worked with NO issuses for 31 years and 250,000 miles. It was used when I installed it.
Pete, You are my hero. Thanks for the cowl steering thread. Thanks for mentioning that you have done boxes angled down. I don't remember never seeing another angled box instalation . Most of the commercial frames seem to have them flat. Angled may help some builders and that was all I was trying to show.
Hey Andy I have been reading your informative post. I am about to change a 29 Model A to cross steer. where do I start? I have Vega box and frame bracket. where do I mount box? Forward to front crossmember or more rearward? thanks
Here are the basics for Vega box in a Model A. You can get a cleaner copy by going to Pete & Jakes website. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
My error in using imprecise phrasing. I fully understand and agree with your statement, though my post did not make that clear. However, it was a flex joint used in the OP’s posted installation that was referenced in my post. Ray
Study the pic I posted. You want the end of the pitman shaft low but not so low it could drag. The steering arm is bent so it is near in line with the tie rod. The stock arm is steel and can be formed with heat. I ***ume the aftermarket ones are also. Fore and aft depends on the engine.. You would like it where it clears the headers or the pan and still near the tie rod. Where P&J says is probably right.
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