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Discussion Topic:
37 steering box conversion
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parrish |
10-25-2010 @ 8:51 AM
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Member
Posts: 349
Joined: Oct 2009
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I rebuilt and installed a 37 steering box on a 36 and it works fine except it has a small amount of tightness or grab right in the center of travel. Maybe remove a shim? Adjusting screw tweak? Or call it good?
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37RAGTOPMAN |
10-25-2010 @ 11:07 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1992
Joined: Oct 2009
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It sounds like the box is binding in the dead ahead position, I would back off the ajustment screw and see if it gets better, you should have little play in the dead ahead position, and the steering wheel should return what rounding a corner,and not be hard to turn, hope this helps, 37RAGTOPMAN an KEEP on FORDIN,,!!!
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ole_Bill |
10-25-2010 @ 12:29 PM
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New Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Dec 2009
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Parrish - I'm considering the same conversion for my '36. What kind of problems did you run into during the process? Where did you find the steering box? Now that the work is complete, do you consider the improvement worth the time and money you put into it?
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Henryat1140 |
10-25-2010 @ 6:26 PM
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New Member
Posts: 110
Joined: Nov 2009
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Parrish - A couple of questions for you: Did you keep the 36 Steering arm? If not what did you use? What modifications if any did you make to the light switch? Were you able to use the 36 switch assembly? Thanks Henry
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parrish |
10-26-2010 @ 9:00 AM
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Member
Posts: 349
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks, I'll give the adjustment screw a try next time around. As to the questions: bought the box on the HAMB. Roller pin replacement shaft had to be welded (or could be rounded, I guess) to stay put. New bushing, bearings, cups. Shims were a goofy procedure. Used STP. Intend to keep the 36 column and arm, but body is off frame and I'm working on king pins, so I'll update this post with new issues as they find me...and they will!
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parrish |
10-26-2010 @ 9:01 AM
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Member
Posts: 349
Joined: Oct 2009
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Oh yeah, bought adapter box from Drake.
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parrish |
10-26-2010 @ 9:05 AM
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Member
Posts: 349
Joined: Oct 2009
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Henry...haven't dealt with light switch yet.
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parrish |
10-26-2010 @ 9:06 AM
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Member
Posts: 349
Joined: Oct 2009
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Henry...haven't dealt with light switch yet.
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flatheadfan |
10-26-2010 @ 9:48 AM
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Member
Posts: 450
Joined: Oct 2009
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Parrish- Give this a try- center your steering wheel on the "high" spot. Remove the acorn nut and star washer from the top of the steering gear box and turn the screw under the nut to the right until it stops then turn to the left 1/8 of a turn. Replaced the star washer and nut and retry. If it still binds repeat the process and turn the screw another 1/8 turn to the left. It this doesn't solve the problem you will need to add some shims. I would start with 0.004" and go from there. From my experience, I have found that the total shim pack seldom exceeds 0.020" but others may have had different results. If you find yourself adding a lot of shims with no change you undoubtedly have some mechanical problems that will require a disassembly. Don't assume that everything will "self adjust" with time. Hope this helps. Tom
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parrish |
10-27-2010 @ 9:54 AM
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Member
Posts: 349
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks, Tom. I will give it a shot the next go 'round. I recall Super saying that I would know more about that box than I would ever desire and he was right. Very quirky, but entertaining. I bought the gasket set from C&G and used ALL of the shims and did the star nut adjustment with the resulting small binding at the center travel. I then called it a day and lived to fight another day!
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