Hot Rods Model A Steering recomendation???

Building a model a and wondering what steering I should use:

1. Don't have a ton of space.

2. Have a heavy motor up front (hemi)

3. Don't have the room for cross steer.

4. Hoping to stay pre 1952

Is a shortened f1 box my only option. Or can i use an early 30's car box, is that gonna be heavy duty enough? any other suggestions?

 

Yo could use a late 30's box rotated so your pitman arm is inverted.

 

**** it up and go with mid Mopar steering box for a side steering set up. If you have a Hemi up front I would not want to depend on an early steering box to point me in the direction I intend. Many threads on the HAMB about using the Mopar box for side steering and it is strong and easy.

Rex

 

i would go early 1960's VW bus box. they look older and work great. the pitman arm is already inverted and the bracket spins on the box so you can clamp it down at any angle you need.

 

Not pre 52,but I've got a reversed corvair in mine,and it works like a champ.No hemi though,just another sbc.

 

bump

 

I recently posted looking for same info(27T on A rails w/ 331 caddy)and Paul recommended an F-100 box mounted on top of frame.Mounted that way also frees up some space for exhaust,brake,clutch,etc.Good luck.

 

Are you 100% sure theres no room for cross steer? I was pretty sure and put the thought out of my mind and ran a traditional f100 setup. Later I realized there was plenty of room...

 

I'm trying to run my motor kinda low to avoid a huge ****** tunnel. I'm just trying to keep the box the same era as the rest of my build. is this a shortened f1 or f100 or?

 

i used a reversed corvair box tucked under the cowl with steering shaft sticking out of cowl(like old skool)had to use 2 heim joints going to steering wheel but it works fine

 

dont lamb baste me for asking this question..(i just want to learn)
why cant you go cross steer? what is it that makes you think because of a hemi you cant use cross steer?
educate me please

 

f-100.

 

I took a small vega box fliped it on it's side and put the sector shaft throw the rail , worked grate.

 

i'm curious why a cross steer won't fit as well. what size hemi is it? here is my 496 cc gm motor with cross steer and a vega box. Had to use 2 swivles in mine as well but i mounted a split bearing on the frame rail to keep it from flopping around.

 

It's a stock f100. It fits great but you have to m***age the flange and drill another third hole (I havent done that yet in that picture).

Also if you want to check out a good cross steer look at live-wire. The motor sits low and the frame rails sweep up, so you'd think that cross steer is a no no. But there's plenty of room. If you want to keep it period then you can run a 37-48 ford box. That's what MR. Ford is running and it drives great!

 

My ****** adapter puts the starter on the steering side. another issue is no room for the box, because of the headers. I don't see how there will be room for the drag link with the motor as low as i have it. I guess I need MFS 5.5?

 

Used a vega box from F.R. and it is a bear to steer; looking into that cross-steer like a piece of a rack and pinion, unisteer? It dosn't take up any real space and is supposed to be almost as easy as power steering. This is on the '32 in my avatar, blown 427 truck block, heavy.

 

How about a modern Vega box (I used one on the roadster) and disguise it with old Ford box cover plate and etc. Make em guess just what it is - and you can make up your own story! "Oh that, it's one of those very rare Moxie boxes from an old Indy race car and ....."

 

Ohhhh... I see. The starter may make it hard. You may have to go above the frame rail.

 

i want to run the headers from lake headers and they fit right above the frame rail too.

 

Ok.. not really traditional, and I may get flamed for it, but I am running the Uni-Steer Cross Steer rack. Just another option and just throwing it out as no one else has suggested and I know a few are using it....