1947 Plymouth steering help

HI all,

I still have the standard originla steering box in my 47 Plymouth and it is very sloppy.
The car is running a sbc How do I tighten the box? Is there a "vega box" upgrade I should be doing?

I am thinking of going the standard rack way this winter but would like to tighten things up as they are as well.

Thanks for any advice,

 

Your steering being loose is probably a combination of more then just the box, think tie rod ends and king pins and controll arm bushings.

I am trying to remember is the plymouth a cross steer? if it is then a Corvair box or vega box or a GM box from say an early '60s full sized car I think it is a 904 but I may be mistaken are good candit dates.

if it is a drag link style setup then a truck box will work well like say an F-1 or F-100 or a reversed corvair or vega.

Corvair and vega style boxes can be had new by the way.

Also there will be a screw and jam nut on the top or side of your original steering box, you can loosen the jam nut and tighten the screw to take a little slop out of it. it is best to have someone working the wheel back and forth while you tighten the screw but not totally necessary.

 

Here you go. Sorry for the photos but my scanner is on the fritz. If you can't read this send me a PM and I will email them to you.

 

There is also a rubber isolator pad between the box and the frame. If these turn to mush so does your steering. A**** the other things already mentioned. Have some body turn the steering wheel with the wheels on the ground, while you observe the box. If it moves in relation to the frame, that will tell you a lot about the condition of the rubber it should allow a small bit of movement only.

 

Thanks for the great information, I will try this this evening!