Hot Rods 34 ford 3w made entirely from junk!

I think you should read about "ackerman"

 

There is a 28-29 Tudor with the same setup that was at the Grand National Roadster Show about 5 years ago.

 

I have not seen the 32 or the model a with this style of steering. Its nice to think it has been done, and assumably, it works. I have not changed the kingpin to wheel distance. The wheels are 4 inches wide so theres not a lot of offset, and I have 40 psi in my tires. My ross steering box came from a boat, so maybe it is just not geared to work in a car. I had it all apart and it works great, is clean, and seems to be the same as the ones I have done that were used in cars.

 

Its a dark brown one probably in Pete Eastwood's thread on steering...you are right Bob it's probably an 'A' Bone...

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/cowl-steering-just-stop.1101046/page-9#post-12493520

...this is it...similar rather than same...perhaps a PM or even a post in Pete's Thread would be worth a discussion...I know he is very critical of Cowl steering on Hotrods but he he surely would be able to suggest what may help the armstrong aspect you are experiencing...the suggestions already from Others may already be honing in on it...getting some adjustability in it might be a good place to begin (I see you do have an adjustable point in the mix already)...you may end up possibly having to reposition pivet points...and yes that would suck a little...

If it's in the arm lengths maintaining the proper angles at the pitman arm to the steering is imperative to have proper function on the street...

I believe that's what makes cowl steering problematic was its purpose in racing is not transferred to the street...but if correctly executed it surly can be made to function...but that's engineering way above my hypotenuse...

Thinking again it is only very slow parking style steering that is the issue here not driving per say...all other function is okay?

I am in no way being negative of your skills @JimSibley...rather like the others nothing but admiration for your creativity and vision so reaching out for opinion and further expertise is a great way to hone in on the situation...
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That's the car. I saw it in bare steel and painted the following year. The rod shop that built it should get some credit for an over the top build. Did it get a Rodders Journal feature? Bob

 

I don't know Bob but Mariani's is mentioned in reference...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mo...-street-rod-mariani-bros-1929-ford-tudor/amp/

 

Jim, it might be worth talking to your local bicycle shop to see if you can get those crank arms in different lengths.
Any combination of the below will help reduce steering effort

 

Stogy, thanks a lot for the pic. That car is amazing. I am very willing to move whatever I need to if it will help. I am going to try shortening the arm, and if that doesnt work, I may be forced to change out the box all together. I greatly appriciate all on the hamb that are willing to assist me in my hairbrained ideas.

 

Dedsoto, thanks, I will give that a try as well. Shoot ,
Maybe I will make the arms adjustable in length.

 

Stogy, where can i see more of that car? It is amazing.

 

I'm thinking both Pinkees Rod shop, and Troy's have built versions of this setup Jim.

 

Jim the link is in my post right above @Dedsoto's post above...

 

^^^^^^^^This!!

 

...more....
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As funky as this setup is, with my very limited knowledge, BUT having read through Pete Eastwood's account of cowl steering it seems that Jim at a minimum must try to keep the drag link, pitman, wishbone aft end and steering arm geometry correct at a minimum...to have correct driving function...does that cure his armstrong steering at low speed or for example parallel parking......hell that's a nice torture even if things are right...

 

Not being a boat guy I’m wondering if the ratio of the box is way faster than what you need as the resistance of turning a boat is less than a car on the street

 

After I clean up the drivers side of the car this weekend I am going to put all of the steering suggestions here to the test. Thanks a lot to all of my hamb brothers for the input. We will see if it works.

 

Well, the drivers side cleaned up pretty well. Took it outside for some pics, and back in to blow it apart and fix the steering.

 

The steering trick worked. Thanks dedsoto. I shortened the top arm 1 inch and lengthened the second arm the same. Mission accomplished.

 

I lack the words to describe how impressed I am.
But Heck Ya... and Carry on!

 

Today I made a firewall to separate the fuel
Cell area from the passenger compartment. In keeping with the”made from junk” theme I used left over pieces of sheet metal
From behind my stomp shear, note the ends of the largest piece were to short, so I had to weld scraps on the ends to make up the difference.

 

This thing looks pretty cool, kinda like a vintage sprint car, without the body on it.

 

Just a little update. I have blown the car apart, welded its chassis solid, done a little bracing and now its ready to go together in raw steel.

 

Ok, so this thing has taken a turn twords the really strange. Yes that is an airspeed indicator, and yes it is functional. I robbed some parts from a 1959 cessna, including the speedo, clock, steering and dome light. I will be using its switches as well. I am not sure how hamb friendly it is, but it fits in the age perimeters and, what the hell, its all free stuff which fits in my “built from junk” plan. I am hoping to drive the car in raw metal within the month. Merry christmas, and i hope you like it.

 

Like the tail lights were they under the wing of the Cessna? Merry Christmas! Bob

 

Love this car Jim. It has a really mean , aggressive look. Merry Christmas buddy.

 

We do....I like how you think Jim, Santa can't wait to try it out...

A Hotrod Christmas to you and the family...

 

My buddy would call you a wackadoodle. I like it.

 

Best of the season to you Jim, I like your style, carry on.