Register now to get rid of these ads!

Cowl Steering? if the sky was the limit

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Dirty Dug, Dec 2, 2007.

  1. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,722

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    So if you geniuses were going to build a car with cowl steering and the budget wasn't an issue what would it be. Ok, what if budget was an issue? What is the simplest, best working arrangement? I've heard sprint car boxes were too fast for a street car. Is that true? Show me what you've done or seen, please. Will it restrict leg room, because I have legs but not much else? All information is greatly appreciated......
     
  2. Dale Fairfax
    Joined: Jan 10, 2006
    Posts: 2,585

    Dale Fairfax
    Member Emeritus

    What kind of car are you doing? I've done several Tri Five Chevy boxes-reversed and case machined- which fit real nice in '28-'29 Fords. If you're doing a '30-'31 or a '26-'27 the '65 thru '75 (or thereabouts) Ford F-100/150 manual box is a pretty nice fit. They are both Saginaw recirculating ball nut gears which don't wear out like the Ford Gemmer gears. When finished they look "racy" and don't steer too fast. Several H.A.M.B. ers have bought from me. P.M. me for details.









     
  3. The 30s GM pickup box I used rocks, ask GV, he owns the T now. Cheap and well built.
     
  4. Rex Schimmer
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 743

    Rex Schimmer
    Member
    from Fulton, CA

    I am using a Schroeder midget box, but it is fast, I have cut the pitman arm length down and have made the steering arm on the front spindle much longer but still it is one turn lock to lock. My car is very light so it should not be a big thing. I have a friend that used a BMW box and it works very well and is stout. I think there is a "tech thread" on reversing a mid 80s Ford small pickup box that looks good. So there are a ton of ways to do it, as usual it depends on your bank account and your fabricating skill.
    Rex
     
  5. turdytoo
    Joined: May 14, 2007
    Posts: 1,568

    turdytoo
    Member

    Ask 3 Window Larry, Never seen one that looked better and I doubt price affected his decision.
     
  6. Clark
    Joined: Jan 14, 2001
    Posts: 5,132

    Clark
    Member

    I'll second the GM truck boxes. I even use them on regular side steering set ups.
    Clark
     

    Attached Files:

  7. jj mack
    Joined: Mar 22, 2007
    Posts: 735

    jj mack
    Member

  8. Unkl Ian
    Joined: Mar 29, 2001
    Posts: 13,509

    Unkl Ian

    If budget wasn't a problem,
    I'd let Chip Foose figure out how to do it.





    If budget was a problem,I'd look here:
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/search.php?f=5
     
  9. Cshabang
    Joined: Mar 30, 2004
    Posts: 2,458

    Cshabang
    Member

    i've driven thousands of miles in cars with schroeder steering, and they aren't too fast for the street, as for alternatives, Most of the guys have covered that here...and they aren't as bad as people say pricewise in my opinion either to be honest
     
  10. el chuco
    Joined: Feb 20, 2006
    Posts: 125

    el chuco
    Member

    Have you considered installing a "steering quickener" but installed backward so that it acts as a "steering slower-downer"? If not, Summit Racing has some different ones to choose from. I'll likely use one on my car since I'm going to use a Ross steering box for cowl steering out of an old sprint car (very fast like the Schroeder). Here's an Afco quickener:

    [​IMG]
     
  11. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 10,814

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska

    I have just finished a 32 roadster and price was a factor, but so was time and appearance. I chose the Schroeder box mounted like 3 Window Larry did his. As for quick I just bought a new Colorado with a power rack and it has a very sensitive steering. 1/4 turn heads it for the ditch much my Schroeder steered roadster.
     
  12. TV
    Joined: Aug 28, 2002
    Posts: 1,451

    TV
    Member

    We used a Ross in our 27 race car, and it is quick. It was easy to mount and i would use one again. It could be slowed down, there are lots of ways to do it.--TV
     
  13. Harrison
    Joined: Jan 25, 2002
    Posts: 7,133

    Harrison
    Member

    Yeah, if budget wasn't an issue, I'd do what 3wd Larry did. What a set-up.

    If budget was an issue, I' look at some of Clark's posts on the truck boxes or might fall back on my own BMW box that I used in my RPU.

    JH
     
  14. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,722

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    I checked the search first but it didn't turn up much. I didn't just get off the bus bub.
     
  15. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member

    I updated the '30's style gear-grinder/binder in my '40 GMC to a smooth as silk '41-'46 recirculating ball type.
    Way better!
    AND it's a bolt in exchange and uses the same frame mount and column jacket.
    The only problem I see in this one is there isn't an upper shaft oil seal (it just relies on gravity to keep the oil in the box) so if you tip the column down to level, the gear oil will run up the column into your lap...:eek:
    I guess an upper seal might be adaptable, maybe.
     
  16. Nobodys Hero
    Joined: Oct 10, 2005
    Posts: 436

    Nobodys Hero
    Member
    from New Jersey

    Im using an 8:1 schroeder box and couldnt be happier. The pitman arm is a 6" f1 arm and is about half the size as the one designed to be used on the schroeder boxes, so it is perfectly streetable. Once you drive anything for a day or 2 you get used to is anyway. Just make sure you secure it to the frame and firewall with a hoop connecting the 2 so its a solid structure. the tend to flex alot if you dont, and make sure its perfectly level. good luck
     

    Attached Files:

  17. john56h
    Joined: Jan 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,760

    john56h
    Member

    I saw your #150 at Bear Mountain's cruise....I liked it alot. Nice car!
     
  18. Nobodys Hero
    Joined: Oct 10, 2005
    Posts: 436

    Nobodys Hero
    Member
    from New Jersey

    oh cool..yeah i went once last year.


    thanks
     
  19. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,722

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    Very nice! Is that a bushing mounted to the dash? What did 3 window larry do?
     
  20. denis4x4
    Joined: Apr 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,397

    denis4x4
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Colorado

    Here's a Schroeder box on my Zipper. It's hard to see, but the steering arm was lengthened 2" and raised up so that the drag link is parallel to the ground. Lot of time to get it right.
     

    Attached Files:

    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  21. Irish Dan
    Joined: Jan 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,231

    Irish Dan
    Member

    I'm using a reversed corvair boxi n my 27 T RPU build for two good reasons: it was relatively cheap AND available! ...also, it takes up very little space and spares me from having to deal with a steering column in the floor. Since I'm building a 5 speed vehicle with a lowered floor pan, space is very important! Good Luck with whatever you decide to do!


    Semper Gratis Emeirtus!
     
  22. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,704

    alchemy
    Member

    I had heard that Schroeder was gonna make a ratio more "street" compatable because of the popularity of hotrodders using their boxes.
     
  23. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,722

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    I'll check with Schroeder today.
     
  24. marodder62
    Joined: Nov 10, 2005
    Posts: 178

    marodder62
    Member

    Are there any pictures of how 3 Window Larry's is mounted?
     
  25. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 10,814

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska

    I sent my box back to Schroeder in early spring for the ratio reducer pkg. They returned it after about 2 months, said they need more R&D on the reducer but it might be available in spring 08. That was then this is now. Maybe things have changed. Also do a search on the hamb as Larry had a very detailed batch of photos on how he mounted the steering in his 3 window.
     
  26. If the sky is the limit then you want my vintage Halibrand 8:1 Champ car gear. First $2000.00 owns it ! :)
     
  27. Levis Classic
    Joined: Oct 7, 2003
    Posts: 4,066

    Levis Classic
    Member

    More good stuff here
     
  28. 327-365hp
    Joined: Feb 5, 2006
    Posts: 5,441

    327-365hp
    Member
    from Mass

    Here's a mopar box I saw at the GNRS, very neat set-up.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I like the look of the Schroeder box..

    [​IMG]

    Who can argue with Doane Spencer..

    [​IMG]
     
  29. Swedester
    Joined: Aug 21, 2004
    Posts: 451

    Swedester
    Member

    for the cheap way,I´d go with an volvo 140 series box,no need for reversing,and even in the us there´s got to be like a zillion of them in junkyards.same basic box 67 to 74.the volvo 120/130 series also works,and if you want a box with a onepiece axle and tube,the volvo pv 444/544 would work fine too.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.