F1 vs. vega vs. sprintcar

trying to figure out what steering box to use on my model a.what are the pros and cons of each box?lets see how you have them mounted and if you would do something different or any problems you are having.

 

I paid $500 for an F-100 converted box for a Model A and $900 for a Schroeder box for my Lakester. Both work fine, you pays your money and takes your choice.

There is good how to do it in the Bishop/Tardel book on converting an F-100

 

I am using an F100 box in my '29 roadster on '32 rails. There is a significant difference in packaging an F1 vs. an F100 box also. Note the column shaft comes in at the top of the F100 box, and on the bottom of the F1 box. The F1 also has a slighltly larger span from the outside edge of the box flange to the inside edge of the box than the F100. But if you cut off the flange and use a different flange (like say a Model A) it wont matter. That is a method that the BT book suggests. But I was able to package my F100 box without removing the original flange, with a SBC, in my narrowed '32 rails for a '29 body. There was some slight flange t******* necessary though to get it to fit within the rail - but it did not affect the bolt pattern.

You will definately get some amount of bump steer with a fore/aft steer box than you wouldn't with a cross steer box like a Vega (or a '35-'48 Ford box). But you shouldn't have to use a front panhard rod with a fore/aft box like you would with a cross steer. So pros and cons there too.

You will end up paying similar money for a rebuilt/new Vega box as you will for a rebuilt F1/F100 box.

Aesthetically I prefer the F1/F100 box because it looks more traditional. But you could use a '35-'48 Ford cross steer box, get no bump steer issues, and remain traditional too. Packaging it may be more difficult though.

If you want cowl steering - I believe a sprint car box is an option, but I have seen it done with many other boxes as well.

Covair boxes are supposedly a no-no on a heavier car like an A, I guess those work better on T-buckets.

My two cents.

Mike

 

My roadster has a Vega box. While it is a little more modern approach to the problem, the reason it has become one of the standard answers is that it works very well. I do have a panhard bar on the front, as noted above.

 

How is an A a heavier car? Some of the later Corvairs were north of 2600lbs. Is it because the Corvair has a rear-mounted engine?

On my A, I was gonna run an F1 box, but a guy who runs one told me it'll take a country mile to get it turned around (I live in the city) as the range motion isn't much on them. Is an F100 box any better? I don't really wanna run cross-steering. I might still run an F1 box, I'll just have to do a little throttle-steering to swing the *** around when I park...

 

I've done'm all. The F100 is absolutely the coolest traditional type box and works well, fairly reasonable in price. The Schroeder sprint works well, is a little quick to steer, quite a bit of work to install and expensive by the time you are done. Neither of the above require a panard bar.The North American made Vega is easy to install, reasonably priced, available, no bump steer, but does need a panard. I my opinion while not as Kool the Vega is the smart box to use.