Did original factory Saginaw (Vega-style) steering boxes have any outward features (casting numbers, logo, whatever) that identify them as ORIGINAL vs. all the aftermarket boxes now flooding the marketplace. I bought one from a guy who advertised it as "reman original" but I highly suspect that it's a repro. It looks EXACTLY like the pics you see all over evil-bay auctions. Just trying be sure of my ground before talking to him. Thanks. P.S. The box I received seems to work fine but I paid for a remanned original. I have used several original boxes rebuilt by Richard Graves and they worked very well.
The Vega box on my '31 Ford has the word "Saginaw" cast on it. Whoops, no.My memory's not as good as it used to be. Like someone else said, my Vega box has the swoopy S. It's not spelled out.
i've used many original Vega boxes and don't recall seeing Saginaw on them....or maybe i'm wrong and/or blind too? could someone post a picture?
Look for a Saginaw logo...a stylized "S" in a box, usually about an inch square. I would be very su****ious about the originality of a box without that on the main casting... Around here, actual Vegas have been entirely extinct for decades, gone even from the junkyards. I'd be less surprised seeing a Marmon V-16 coming down my street than a Vega.
I haven't seen the "S" symbol on a Vega box, I have 3 original ones. The larger boxes such as the 525 do have that. The 525 is much bigger box, larger input shaft, top cover and were used on the Cosworth Vegas. The top cover on an original Vega box is smooth and rounded on the edges, most of the New boxes that cover looks beefier and the corners aren't rounded.
Problem solved. Real Vega box photos-cell phone quality. NOT the box I received. I cut and pasted the Ebay auction info. "Vega Steering Box Fresh Reman Coated Manual 32 ford hot street rod ABOUT WAREHOUSE99: ONE LOW SHIPPING PRICE: All shipping is automatically combined, so you will only pay shipping on the first item you buy. The more your you shop, the more you save! WareHouse99 is an automotive liquidation warehouse. All products are overstock, scratch and dent, discontinued, or used items. Description will indicate condition. Many items sold here have been in storage for many years, so old or damaged packaging and minor shelf wear should be expected." We are currently liquidating a huge 20 year collection of hot rod and custom car parts from Theo's Hot Rod Parts business closing. It's a big collection so if your looking for something you don't see shoot us an email. ITEM DESCRIPTION: USA made freshly remanufactured Manual Steering Vega Box Manual Steering Box 5/8"-36 Spline Input Shaft 6.25 turns lock to lock. 25 to 1 ratio. 6 rounds lock to lock for a 24 to 1 ratio. Saginaw steering gear, as used in many GM vehicles" BEWARE......It's the Hoffman Group. I'm returning it. Thanks for the answers.
Hey ! Are you knocking my "Smartphone" ? On another note , I don't see the casing numbers in my box pictured above in the red primer {also from Richard Graves shop) that are on the bottom box pictured?
vega boxes are for cheaters isnt this a forum for traditional cars a friend of mine once said,vega box ,5 speed, 8"rear is like riding a bike on a marathon
Hey Bruce! You're on the wrong forum. This one is for "traditionally STYLED hot rods" not "traditional hot rods". They let us talk about vega boxes on this one. The other one is mostly about cars that break down a lot and need their own special run. Haha! I'm building a ch***is for a guy who initially wanted to use a uni-steer but I talked him out of that. I told him that a uni-steer wouldn't work with a flathead. He's a real **** but spends $$ so who's complaining. And no, it's NOT NapaDave.
Good thing about original Vega boxes, the Vega was usually rusted to pieces and /or the engine is blown long before the steering box wears out. Steering box and Saginaw 4 speed are pretty much all you want to pull off of a Vega before crushing it.
Bringing this one back, anyone know what ratio the Vega 7808990 box is? I just got my A finished and I have this box installed. To me it feels like it's in the 20:1 range and after driving it just a little I'm not a fan. I'd like an option for a 16:1 Vega box if anyone has a recommendation. Also thinking of swapping in a 525 box since those can be had with a 16:1 ratio
I believe that the fast ratio manual boxes that Cosworth Vegas used were a different style from the standard Vega box.
The quick ratio Cosworth 525 Vega boxes were 16-1, other Saginaw 525’s are 24-1 and the 140 Vega is 22-1. IDK about a Cosworth steering box but the typical 525 has an input shaft around 5” longer than a Vega, it uses the same mounting pattern but is a bit larger than the 140. Edit-from memory I posted the Vega box as being a 122, it is actually known as a Saginaw 140.
Thanks guys, sounds about right knowing how much input I have to give on my existing box. I think I will swap to a 525 box instead to get that quicker ratio. Much better than buying the Flaming River quick ratio box I've read only negative things about on here.
@FiveNdime what kind of steering arms do you have ? Do you have the double tie rods on the right side? With one of them going to the steering box? If so you can pick up the ratio by going to a jeep crossover tie rod, it has a hole in it for a tie rod for The drag link from the steering box. Moving it closer to the king pin will effectively make the box feel faster. How much ? I don't know..... ...
, I do have the double eye arm on the p***enger side. In fact the first version I was going to use was this setup with the tie rod end that had that 7 degree tapered hole in it off the side as shown above. Problem is it was hitting my arm, so I couldn't use it, had to swap to a double eye end arm. Looks like the only 2 options I have are the 525 box or the Flaming River quick ratio one. I don't have room for a longer pitman arm, or that would also be an option.
Flaming River only states that their tilt columns, power rack and pinions, steering shafts and billet accessories are all made right at Flaming River by a group of talented car enthusiasts. So where might we surmise their steering boxes come from? Looks like there is a reason for the negative ratings you mentioned.
Get the jeep 525 circa 1980 cj. we have used 6 now in all our builds (all A's) and they steer great. They have the larger input shaft (extended) and are beefy. We get ours at Orielly Auto.
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