Here is an idea for cowl steering and the steering arm, drag link etc., that I thought was pretty clever and may be a solution to the OPs dilemma.
I had a couple issues, First problem was it was really hard to steer so I shortened the arm at the cowl and that put my drag link at an angle. I moved the steering box down and that put the drag link more in line but still angled down a little so I welded an extension to the arm and raised it up a little more and it steers real nice so now I just need to build a new arm that matches my mock up arm and I should be good.
Fast an EZ test to do,when you have steering hooked up so you can work it,jump up an down on front of frame or have a buddy do it,an look at front wheel as thats happening,if you see it moving left an right more then a 1/4in. as jumps move frame up an down,=you got bumpsteer an a poor design,that will dart back n fourth going down a bumpy road,most all cowelsteering dose that carp,is why I don't care for it n think it looks bad to me,manytimes to a car that other wise is very nice looking to me. But we all have stuff that bugs us. Basicly for sidesteer cars the closer steering rod joint at pitman arm is to front axle rear bone joint,the less bump n better the design.
Different strokes for different folks. I happen to like the way cowl steering looks. I'm using a reversed corvair box mounted just forward of the firewall on the frame rail on my 31 coupe. I had Pete and Jakes shorten their steering arm for me( and heat treated) , because, as purchased, I was barely scrubbing my shock mount. I don't have any bumpsteer. Just keep plugging away, you'll get it. You may need to relocate your box. but if you like cowl steer, its your hot rod, build it like you want it.. I guess all those dumb***es with cowl steer on Indy cars, dragsters and old hot rods liked bumpsteer.
i think the pictures that blue oval posted look like a great solution i love the look of cowl steering, regardless of what other people say i dot think its a bad engineering principle if so many others get it right,that being said a few probably get it wrong.just persist youll get
On stock Model A's we would shorten the pitman arm to make them feel like power steering! Lots of A's out there with welded pitman arms - yikes!
View attachment 2760569 View attachment 2760570 View attachment 2760572 View attachment 2760573 You see the drop in the drag link, of course you do. Study that drop then look at Doan Spencer's roadster. The same effect but the drag link is straight because his frame has the jog at the cross member. Cowl steering ain't easy, but when its done right it works well and is cool as "all get out "
Ya... the link is parallel to the frame because of that bend in it. That don't matter, Could zig zag like a lightning bolt of all it maters, look where the pivots are, one on the pitman is higher.
I vote no on cowl steer. Forced to use it for radiator clearance. 1952 Willys Aerowing box. Gift from a friend. Three pedals. Lots of clearance for my size 14's. Fabbed an adapter to use a 525 spline and short arm. Steers ever so easy. Not slow either. The best of both worlds. Minor bump steer. Can't notice it driving. I'll bet you thought I had a raised steering arm. How about the bump steer on my lakes modified. Vega box turned 90 degrees.
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