Can anyone direct me to a step by step install of a 525 box in a 40 ford. I have heard that the box is small and works very well on an old ford. I plan to maintain all the factory front suspension with the exception of the I beam and shocks. I havent decided if I wanted to rebuild the original box or install a 525 unit. Thanks in advance....
On stock frames I like the bolt in replacement mount from Pete & Jakes. It seems to work better than the add on adaptor style mount that bolts to the stock mount which moves the box closer to the motor.
I had both, the ch***is eng one goes over the stock box mount, the pete and jakes one, which is on my car now; is mounted to the frame directly. you drill the rivets out of the stock steering box mount, and pull it off, I also think there is a spot weld there too and re use them plus one more that you drill once the mount is on, the bottom had a mount for a panhard bar as well. i used the p&j one thinking it would be tighter to the frame giving me more clearance, but I'm not sure the difference, and if you have one or the other you can use it. But as stated abve it will be out further. I have a 38 Ford suspension, you will need a new pitman arm but other than that you should be good to go They also have kits to rebuild the stock Ford box so depending of cost you may be better off with stock. something else to consider is what column are you using, stock column will need to be modified to fit the GM box, it can be done, i have one in mine but with the stock box you do not have to deal with that.
Depending on your style or taste for later components, the 525 on a P&J bracket or (TCI) really improves the steering effort on a 40 Ford. If everything is stock this makes the car a pure delight to drive. The one pictured is with a SBC and a truck exhaust manifold.
use an u-joint that has the correct spline for the 525 box and 3/4 Double D on the other. cut off the `40 column and add a lower bearing , and then machine the inner shaft for the 3/4 DD.
what 36 3 window said for column--either mt mentioned above is fine with the 525 box-when you modify the column-you then have to figure out a way to make the stock horn work as it is wired thru the center of the orig shaft--I have done 7 40's with 525 boxes and used both types of mts with no problems
If I remember right the stock Ford Pitman arm has the same spline as the 525 box. I used the Ford one because it was longer.
I have a Vega box in my '40 coupe. I picked up a 525 box for $50 for when the Vega dies. Anyone know if I can use the Vega pitman arm and just swap boxs?
I did it a little different, the stock column has a 3/4 od shaft that is hollow, I had a 3/4 id round u joint weleded to my column shaft and then drilled and installed a roll pin in case the weld breaks, I had a shop weld it as well. You will need a bushing for the bottom of the shaft or it will be loose in the column, there are a few ways to do that as well, you can use an upper bushing on the bottom, or another type or bushing, I used a flanged bearing and modified the column to fit it and held it in place with a locking coupler, kinda loos like it was made that way.
current coupe has stock column,525 box,coverted to automatic with detent plate at Bottom--a Ford hollow shaft is .762-.765 in diameter. On this one, I used a 55 Chevy shaft (solid and .750), a 60's chevy top bearing with horn plate and a Vintique wheel with splines.machined to 3/4 double D on bottom with a teflon bushing at the bottom.The horn now operates with the stock horn ****on. Doing a woody now with a stock column and stock shaft , and 525 box--with welded joint at Box end of shaft--horn wire is still in center of shaft with a pickup at the bottom for the horn wire attachment--looks like it will work--will know in a few days
No, the output shaft on the 525 is quite a bit bigger than the Vega. I've got both sitting here. Decided to go with the Vega on my 55 race car. Larry T
I did not know that the horn wire runs down the center of the column. Where does it attach too? Anyone have a bearing number or pictures showing how they modified the column?
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