I have been looking for a good F1 steering box for my AV8 project and I seem to be having a lot of bad luck, mostly due to my own stupidity. First box I purchased was rusted solid and I ruined the sector shaft getting it apart. Then I picked up an F5 box which is in really good shape but didn't realize they were different until I got it home. So, can the F5 box be used even though it is physically bigger? What about the steering ratio? Will any of the parts interchange with the F1 box? It doesn't look like the steering arm will interchange between the two. My guess is I bought a really nice door stop and I need to keep looking. Thanks, --louis
Louis, You can make anything fit anything if you really want to, but that box is a good bit larger than the f1 box. I made the same mistake with a f3 box. Looks just the same but next to an f1 box it seems quite a bit larger. I just finished putting an f1 box in my A frame and with the motor, steering, and exhaust manifold in place I have about 1/2 inch above the box to the exhaust manifold and the steering column tube almost touches the manifold at the rear of the motor. I had the f1 box machined and welded on a flange that I had bought off a HAMB member. I took the f1 box I had and the guts out of a 46 box I had. Everything fits right in as the small trucks and cars used the same stuff in the box from like 37 to 52 I think? If I were you I would take the f1 box apart, get a 46/7/8 car box and then transfer everything over to it. Replace bearings and gaskets in the process and your good to go. Gordon
From what I understand, no internal parts interchange with the F1-F3 box but there have been a couple of old threads about using the bigger F4-F6 box in the past ... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/f4-steering-box-in-model-a-sbc-combo.590644/ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ford-f1-steering-question.596279/
Thanks, I will keep an eye out for a 46-48 box. Thanks for the links. I also remember that Brian Bass used an F5 box in his Hemi coupe but it doesn't show how he mounted it. Thanks, --louis
Looks like it won't work for what I need. The place I bought it from will allow returns so that is what I am going to do. --louis
Unless you have to have an F series because of the "looks nostalgic" why don't you use a steering box from an early mustang,comet,or falcon.All you need to do is to "turn" the steering box on its side and the Pittman "runs" over to the drivers side front wheel just like a F 1 or 32 Ford does. Early mustangs have a solid one piece shaft that "grows" out of the steering box and extends all the way to the threaded portion where the steering wheel would bolt to; around 67 or so the mustang box has a little short stub that "ends" not too far from the box and then has a "rag" joint to take care of slight irregularities in alignment.How much better does a "modern" box steer than your old F series; YOU might be surprised. And yes I could sell you a complete early box(long solid 1 piece shaft) for $85 plus shipping or maybe buy one thru a friend.I think the later box will work "rings around" the old,antiquated F series box. Just my opinion,but do some research!
I have a good rebuildable f 1 box with the pitman arm for 200.00 plus shipping. I had a spare and rebuilt it and swapped it. If interested, pm me, mark Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
today i was working on my 27=t w/40 steering box, this is my 3rd car using these boxes. they are cheep or free and work well turn them on side and pit. arm goes up.put a c in the bottom of frame and they clear the ex. man. about 1''+.steer like power steering.
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