Technical Need a source or shop that can make/provide a center dropped tie rod for early Ford

Like the ***le states, I'm looking for a shop or source for a tie rod that is dropped in the center for clearance. I need it for two reasons: First is the pulley rubs on hard bumps currently, so I'd like to correct that. Second is I'd like to drop the motor approximately 1/2" inch from its current set up. I have riser blocks on motor mounts now. It will hit the tie rod if it's not dropped/clearanced.

Thanks,

 

Are you above or below the wishbone? Mine was above, but I moved it below. Taper the steering arms halfway from the bottom to insert from below. If you still don’t have clearance, the dropped tie rod ends from Speedway will probably finish the job.

 

Ah, let me look into that. Thanks

 

My buddy Kenny was making them for the shoebox Ford guys. PM me.

 

Thanks. Sent you a PM with my info. I'll follow up this week as well. Appreciate it.

 

I have dog legged radius rods on my car. I made transition pieces and just dropped them down. A dropped tie rod is weak and hard to adjust.

 

I bent my own. Made from 1/2” high pressure boiler tubing. Threaded the ends for rod ends.

 

Interesting, Andy. didn't think about it being weak, but it makes sense.

I could go in similar route as you, but with dropped tie rod ends and bending the arms down a bit

 

Thanks, Jimmy.

 

How about dropped steering arms for each spindle?

https://www.roadstersupply.com/Polished-Dropped-Upper-Steering-Arm-p/rsc-40319.htm

 

Well, they are '32 spindles. I'd drop the arms before I'd cut them off.

 

I agree, just trying to suggest the traditional approach to lowering the tie rod.

 

I had the same problem on my flathead V8 A, when I made a tight turn into my driveway the back of the pully rubbed the tie rod. Looks like your engine might be set back a little more than mine, I crowded forward as much as I could rather than cutting much out of the firewall. I was running the flat steering arms with the tie rod on the bottom but above the wishbone I bought the dropped steering arms from Speedway Motors and that put the tie rod below the wishbone. Don't have a picture with the dropped steering arms on it since it was complete and driving then.

 

Sure, I appreciate that. Thanks

 

I have the same problem with mine. Had the engine lifted a bit, but that caused other problems. I think I lowered it to try and clear lower radiator hoses and decided to leave it down. I am also running the 8RT front end, figuring the pulley location was my problem. I kinda expect the crank snout to snap off one day driving down the road... I am running later roundback spindles with bent arms on mine.

The plan is to start building a 59 series flatty to replace the current one anyway. I figured with the crank pulley being closer to the engine would solve A LOT of my problems.

Please post your solution when you have it dialed!

3blap.

 

Some useful photos here:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/dropping-steering-arms-again-with-pics.1319830/