Technical 1950 ford shoebox steering.

Was wondering if there is common replacement steering box off a different car that's kinda the known standard to upgrade the steering. Well unknown by me... haha Searched for a post about it but didn't fingers one. If there is a prior post I apologize and would love a link to it thank you

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there is a Volvo steering box that is a great improvement over the original, just not sure what it is. Keep searching, there has been threads about this before

 

Thank you hiboy

 

There are threads on this all over. Everyone has done it slightly differently. It was really tough on mine, but I finally got it. But I think Fatman has just come out with a conversion using something other than the volvo box. You should consider that. The Volvo box is hard to find. I have a spare that is super worn out but I can't make myself throw it out because it's rare!

 

I will definitely look up Fatman ty for the info

 

There has been a volvo box for sale in the classifieds.

 

Just curious,did you find a better Volvo box yet?
Here is a pic how the Volvo 140 steering box looks like on my project:

 

There is a place here in NorCal that can rebuild any box, rack or pump that they can source parts for. I don't have the info right now but can look it up or get the info from a friend. There should be a similar shop somewhere closer to you.

 

Yes, I found a good one. For some reason my frame rail was flexing around the mounting bracket when I turned the wheel. It's not rusty so I don't know why it did that. A friend welded up some additional support for it, so it's OK now. Did yours have that trouble?

 

For those that might need any steering component rebuilt. They also have a facility in Riverside posted on the site.
Straight Line Steering
1802 Smith Ave
San Jose, Calif. 95112
# 408-289-9850
www.straightlinesteering.com

 

Good info. Steering gear PARTS are hard to find. Two parts suppliers said they don't sell steering gear parts because of 'liability'. I think that's a California term...

 

Thats good to hear that you found a good one.I havent noticed any flexing,that sounds a bit weird.
Maybe its because of front crossmember issues,cracked weldings or something like that?

 

Top support missing?

 

I ended up using a toyota corrola steering box. I might have pictures. Let me know if you'd like to see them

 

a lot of folks praise the rebuild by shoebox ford

 

The big problem is that the Shoebox pitman arm points rearward which makes it so rare.

 

I see you have the same camber correction kit I have. Mine doesn't allow the top of the tire to come inward enough. Is that another problem that is unique to me? I need about another inch to work with on both wheels.

 

http://streettechmag.com/2015/03/25/shoebox-ford-tech-installing-a-volvo-gearbox-in-a-49-51-ford/
http://jamcosuspension.com/products/sfID1/73/sfID2/39/sfID3/12
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/paint-...a-mid-century-shoebox-1950-ford-custom-sedan/
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/0902sr-1949-1951-ford-steering-motor-mounts/

 

Fatman also sells a kit that uses a Cavalier rack. Using a Cavalier rack with home made mounts. Works great. There are some clearance issues with some engines.

 

So,there is no help of trying custom made spacers to the correction kit,or adjusting the control arms upper outer pivots?

 

I've taken all of the spacers out of the camber kit, and it's not enough. I need about another inch of adjustment in the camber kit.

How do you adjust the upper outer pivots?

 

I went budget and used the cavalier rack. Made my own brackets. works like a charm. 4 yr driving it. no bump steer. but did lose some turning radius which is not hard to work around. this was with a 302 front sump pan but mid sump will work.

 

The upper pivot bushings are eccentric,just loose the clamping bolt on the top,loose the pivot bushing nut and turn the pivot bushing bolt.Thats how the cambers are adjusted originally.
I think you should buy the green bible(factory manual),that will help you with issues like this.

 

if your car is lower than 3inches stock you may run out of adjustment

 

This looks like a better way.

 

I have 2" drop springs and 2" drop spindles.

 

I don't see much offset in the 'dogbone'. Does it look right to you?

 

Nope,i didnt mean that one.Thats the inner A-arm shaft.I ment the upper outer bushing,that one is on top of the upright.

 

I found a pic of the bushing i ment:

 

I have a '49 with the original flathead. I ran Unisteer's power steering rack kit for a year. One if the tie rod u-joints failed at low speed, I don't consider that kit a safe alternative. Tried to make Jamco's manual box kit work but it doesn't fit with the original flat 8 (they gave me my money back). I then bought a rebuilt box from Shoebox Central. That box plus some Coker radials make the car handle great now.