The Ford Barn

Old Redneck · 08-02-2023, 10:47 AM

I was looking at this Model A and it has a differentmtype Steering Box that I have never seen before. I have no idea what it out of. Can any of you know what it is?

mcgarrett · 08-02-2023, 11:09 AM

'53-'56 Ford F100 pickup. Good steering box substitute for a Model A.

Old Redneck · 08-02-2023, 12:18 PM

Thank you for the information. Is there much work in the Steering Box to fit a Model A?

mcgarrett · 08-02-2023, 01:07 PM

If your car is to drive and enjoy, I would leave the F100 steering alone - it's a stronger and better steering box.

It's not that difficult to change back to original Model A steering gear, but depends on your mechanical skills. Better to buy one that is already rebuilt by a reliable rebuilder or one of the Model A parts suppliers.

Charlie Stephens · 08-02-2023, 01:21 PM

I have heard nothing but good about using the later truck steering for a Model A that is a driver. Search the archives. Randy Gross here on the web site does it. I stopped by and looked at his set up and was very impressed. I am a mechanical engineer by education, worked my way through college as a machinist and have owned Model A's since 1962. To contact Randy [email protected] or call 714-292-8660

Charlie Stephens

Dino's A · 08-02-2023, 05:41 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Randy's father (Mel) put one in on my dad's
sedan in the early 90's. Works great.

31a · 08-02-2023, 09:31 PM

Have aF1 in my 30 coup works great

nkaminar · 08-03-2023, 10:44 AM

I have one in my 30 Fordor and it works great. There is one adjustment and it is really easy to adjust. Rather than a sector arm that slides against the worm gear, the sector revolves on needle bearings. So that there is no sliding parts. Rolling part on rolling part. Rebuilt parts are available. I rebuilt mine. It was fairly simple but requires a some welding and grinding and fitting of washers. To the casual observer not familiar with Model A's it looks stock. The Model A control levers, light switch, horn button, and steering wheel are fitted to the box. More turns lock to lock so the steering is easier. Some owners have fitted an adjustable drag link to center the box.

CWPASADENA · 08-03-2023, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Redneck

Thank you for the information. Is there much work in the Steering Box to fit a Model A?

Yes, there is a lot of work to get a F-100 box to fit a Model A. They are not just a bolt in situation.

Chris W.

GPierce · 08-04-2023, 09:16 AM

If you buy it from Randy Gross it’s already modified and is fairly easy to install.

fried okra · 08-04-2023, 05:58 PM

My '31 Tudor had one already installed prior to my purchase of the car.

About 1/2" on center free play at the steering wheel, like any manual steering car.

Quite likely was a Randy Gross built unit but don't know.

nkaminar · 08-04-2023, 06:27 PM

Fried Okra, With a little work you can get zero free play. First thing is to have someone work the wheel back and forth while you look for any play in the pitman arm, drag link, or any other location. The attachment of the pitman arm to the box output can have some play even though the nut seems really tight. I had to use a long breaker bar to tighten mine up.

Once everything is tight you can easily adjust the box. There is a screw with a locking nut on the engine side of the box. It is really easy to get this adjustment too tight so loosen the lock nut and tighten the screw a little at a time to the point where the play is just taken up, but no tighter. If you go too far and the steering is binding, back off the adjustment and try again. i use a right angle screw driver. Keep the adjustment from moving when you tighten the lock nut.

If you run out of adjustment then the box may need rebuilding. Depending on your mechanical skill you can either do this yourself of hand it off to a repair shop. The easiest thing to do is to replace the sector wheel. You will have to grind out the pressure weld that Ford used and then push out the pin and replace the wheel with a new pin and needle bearings. You will have to do a tack weld on the pin to keep it in place. Do short welds with a wire welder so you don't get the needle bearings too hot. Grind away any areas that will interfere with the movement. You may have to lap the washers a little by using a figure 8 pattern on some emery paper.

Use the modern gear oil, 85W-140 in your box. It will make the box last longer and work with minimum effort.

fried okra · 08-06-2023, 11:27 AM

Good input nkaminar, thanks......the Tudor only has maybe 500 miles on it since the F100 steering box was installed so as you suggest the play is likely in the steering linkage, etc.

08-02-2023, 11:09 AM	#2
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? '53-'56 Ford F100 pickup. Good steering box substitute for a Model A.

08-02-2023, 12:18 PM	#3
Old Redneck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesburg,Pa. Posts: 1,910	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? Thank you for the information. Is there much work in the Steering Box to fit a Model A?

08-02-2023, 01:07 PM	#4
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? If your car is to drive and enjoy, I would leave the F100 steering alone - it's a stronger and better steering box. It's not that difficult to change back to original Model A steering gear, but depends on your mechanical skills. Better to buy one that is already rebuilt by a reliable rebuilder or one of the Model A parts suppliers.

08-02-2023, 01:21 PM	#5
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,033	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? I have heard nothing but good about using the later truck steering for a Model A that is a driver. Search the archives. Randy Gross here on the web site does it. I stopped by and looked at his set up and was very impressed. I am a mechanical engineer by education, worked my way through college as a machinist and have owned Model A's since 1962. To contact Randy [email protected] or call 714-292-8660 Charlie Stephens

08-02-2023, 05:41 PM	#6
Dino's A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Arcadia, Ca. Posts: 251	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Randy's father (Mel) put one in on my dad's sedan in the early 90's. Works great. __________________ 1928 Roadster Pickup 1930 Tudor 1943 Ford WWII Jeep 1968 Taco Minibike Member, Santa Anita Model A's Arcadia Ca.

08-02-2023, 09:31 PM	#7
31a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: College Station, Tx Posts: 326	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? Have aF1 in my 30 coup works great

08-03-2023, 10:44 AM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,901	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? I have one in my 30 Fordor and it works great. There is one adjustment and it is really easy to adjust. Rather than a sector arm that slides against the worm gear, the sector revolves on needle bearings. So that there is no sliding parts. Rolling part on rolling part. Rebuilt parts are available. I rebuilt mine. It was fairly simple but requires a some welding and grinding and fitting of washers. To the casual observer not familiar with Model A's it looks stock. The Model A control levers, light switch, horn button, and steering wheel are fitted to the box. More turns lock to lock so the steering is easier. Some owners have fitted an adjustable drag link to center the box. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 08-03-2023 at 10:51 AM.

08-04-2023, 09:16 AM	#10
GPierce Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Germantown,TN Posts: 516	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? If you buy it from Randy Gross it’s already modified and is fairly easy to install.

08-04-2023, 05:58 PM	#11
fried okra Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Daniel Island,SouthCarolina/Knoxville, Tennessee/Sanibel Island,Florida Posts: 292	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? My '31 Tudor had one already installed prior to my purchase of the car. About 1/2" on center free play at the steering wheel, like any manual steering car. Quite likely was a Randy Gross built unit but don't know.

08-04-2023, 06:27 PM	#12
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,901	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? Fried Okra, With a little work you can get zero free play. First thing is to have someone work the wheel back and forth while you look for any play in the pitman arm, drag link, or any other location. The attachment of the pitman arm to the box output can have some play even though the nut seems really tight. I had to use a long breaker bar to tighten mine up. Once everything is tight you can easily adjust the box. There is a screw with a locking nut on the engine side of the box. It is really easy to get this adjustment too tight so loosen the lock nut and tighten the screw a little at a time to the point where the play is just taken up, but no tighter. If you go too far and the steering is binding, back off the adjustment and try again. i use a right angle screw driver. Keep the adjustment from moving when you tighten the lock nut. If you run out of adjustment then the box may need rebuilding. Depending on your mechanical skill you can either do this yourself of hand it off to a repair shop. The easiest thing to do is to replace the sector wheel. You will have to grind out the pressure weld that Ford used and then push out the pin and replace the wheel with a new pin and needle bearings. You will have to do a tack weld on the pin to keep it in place. Do short welds with a wire welder so you don't get the needle bearings too hot. Grind away any areas that will interfere with the movement. You may have to lap the washers a little by using a figure 8 pattern on some emery paper. Use the modern gear oil, 85W-140 in your box. It will make the box last longer and work with minimum effort. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 08-04-2023 at 06:36 PM.

08-06-2023, 11:27 AM	#13
fried okra Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Daniel Island,SouthCarolina/Knoxville, Tennessee/Sanibel Island,Florida Posts: 292	Re: What this Steering Box is out of?? Good input nkaminar, thanks......the Tudor only has maybe 500 miles on it since the F100 steering box was installed so as you suggest the play is likely in the steering linkage, etc.