Has anyone managed to squeeze in an F-1 steering box when running a nailhead? I am putting a '55 322 nailhead into my 32 frame ('30 body) and with the starter on the left I am wondering whether I might need to resort to less traditional steering solutions. I realize that ultimately I need to simply drop the engine in and see what space there is but wanted to see if someone has trodden this path already. I note that Rolph had to resort to a Vega box on his build for possibly the same reason. I would really like to go with side steering if possible.
You might try searching for a different starter. I had a clearance problem with my steering with my nailhead in my Roadster. I found a high torque starter with a smaller case size that allowed rotation of the case to the mounting off the bell housing, that took care of my problem.
I am sure this comment will result in a face palm reaction but surely offsetting the engine will screw up alignment further down the chain? With the trans crossmember and axle being centered etc...? Aside from which, it will look odd if done by more than maybe a fraction of an inch, no?
I ran into the same problem with my 322 in a 32 frame. I know it isnt a side steering box, but to stay traditional I used a 46 Ford box. I located it just ahead of the starter and used two u-joints to connect the locations after I cut the steering shaft off about six inches outa the box. Hope this help.
Thanks for the input. Looking like my setup might not be as simple as I had thought. Working on getting the body to it snug on the frame at the rear right now but will hopefully place the engine in the bay in the next week or two to see how big an issue I have.
My '31 Chevy with a Pontiac has a notch in the frame. Box sits beside the starter. Required a bracket fabbed for the box, works well so far.
I'm actually in the process of doing this install on my model a with 401 4 speed in a boxed model a frame and I got to tell you its not as simple as I thought. There is just no room. I prepped the box today and plan on doing the frame placement tomorrow afternoon. If you want to pm me your email I can share some of the pics I've taken so far and as I hopfully progress. From what I've already seen it should fit (barely) if I have the snout coming thru the frame about an extra inch or so.
I installed a 401 nailhead in a Model A frame, with '56 Ford PU steering back in the late sixties. The engine was set back 10% and it all fit, but not easily. I remember building headers was a tough job and I had to do a bit of frame notching to clear the pipes. Looking at some old photos, I think I must have set the steering box back and used a longer link. ...too long ago to remember details but this photo taken while I changing it to a 327 (no roll bar) looks like the steering box was set back a bunch. 401 being installed
Offsetting the engine towards the p***enger side was common practice with car manufactures to clear steering boxes. Chrysler was prime example to squeeze their huge motors in small cars. The offset won't affect anything. That's what u-joints were made for.
Ford still does that on some models. As a bodyman I remember seeing it on the 96 and up 5.0 Explorers. Those were full time all wheel drive and it didn't seem to affect them at all.
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