32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

anyone making shortened pitman arms for 32 stock ford ?? any qualified welders in calif area that can cut and weld this ? seems easier than changing out box gears for hard steering..etc. sc

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

Whomever told you that shortening the pitman arm would lessen the steering effort either flunked physics or fell asleep during the part about leverage.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

It’s done on Model A’s all the time and makes a big difference, why wouldn’t it work on a 32?

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

What size tires are you running?? If you jack the front end up does it "steer" eassy?? Is everything (king pins, tie rod ends, etc lubricated well?? Lubricant in the "box"??
Paul in CT My 32 4dr sedan had no steering issues.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

A shorter arm will give quicker steering , but do you really need heavier steering as this will be the result . Plus the change in geometry you may get bump steer also.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

It will work because it shortens the fulcram(if your are prying on something, the closer your load is to the furcram the easier it will be). However, I can tell you that a stock 32 will steer fairly well if you have 18" rubber, kingpins and bearings are up to snuff, tie rod ends and drag link ends are good and round and everything greased well. I have a 32 and 34 that both have stock steering and steer well. Safety note, welding on the pitman arm changes the metalurgy and could become brittle.............

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

Wait , I'm confused . I agree but that being said if I have a 13" steering wheel it's not easier than a 17" to steer . Help me get past this
Never mind I figured it out . Longer arm , less effort but more movement

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

Seems to me that shorter arm will make it steer slower and easier..ask a model A guy they have been using them for years ? thought maybe someone was making these ....

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

The other trade off with a shorter arm is a significantly increased turning radius.


The ball stud on the end of a stock '32 pitman arm falls beneath the lower lip of the chassis and the end of the drag link connected to it is therefore even further inboard. With the stock arm and drag link, the drag link barely clears the frame lip in extreme right and left hand turns. Shorten the arm and the drag link will strike the frame lip. The shorter the arm, the sooner the drag link will strike the frame lip and limit the right and left hand turns.


Think about it; is the trade off worth the restricted maneuverability?

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

Shortening a pitman arm is simple process for a certified TIG welder. Steering parts should be magnafluxed after rework. Even stock parts require it for racing in some classes like vintage midgets.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

I found a fellow ( he found me)in Calif that can do this type of work..only problem is calculating how much to cut and drag link lenght..

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

Vern Tardel's book "Building a traditional Ford Hot Rod" does a great job of covering that topic. I followed his calculations, and was pleased with the steering effort, and turning radius.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

David's point re the 32 arm positioning the drag link below the frame is very pertinent. While the logic of the idea is sound, (although some seem to be making statements the opposite of what would be true) the reality might be that the options are limited in a 32 due to the positioning of the drag link.

I believe the standard procedure is to use later parts to give the lower ratio which is completely undetectable visually. (15:1 rather than 13:1).

Or put a Hudson, F1 or F100 in it. Or as in my 33, a 37 turned on it's side, filled with RHD guts.

Mart.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

Mart,I'd be interested to see how you did your '33.Have any pics? Will work on LHD? Thanks

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

Sorry for thread Hi-Jack.

Deuce, Yeah, it's a LHD application.

There's some info here:
Mart's three month 33 5W Survivor project

Some pics are missing due to PhotoBucket.

I could put something together describing it with fresh pics, but not many people have both LHD and RHD parts to pick from.

There is a sister thread here on the barn but I could not find it.

Mart.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

I did some looking today at 32 drag link and pitman arm ..arm is about 5-1/2" c-c and a bit more..problem as i see it is the clearance to bottom of frame if pitman is shortened..I think the pitman will have to be turned around to face out so the drag will clear bottom of frame..also the drag link will have to be cut and turned 180 degrees..this is going to take some study..

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

I've tig'ed some mech brake stuff with contingency. Tig would be best.


I'm curious why this is a thing? on a stocker? Is it really needed?


.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

I think that you are getting into quicksand. You may end up with a mess.
I put the 15-1 gears in my 32. It was better. I have an extra box with nos 15-1 gears.
You need to check if the thrust bearing above the spindle is supporting the car. A lot of spindles got worn an that lets the spindle drag. Check the clearance between the bottom of the axle and the top of the bottom spindle lug with a feeler gauge.

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

Will this require a short-arm inspection?

Re: 32 stock tudor shortened pitman arm
 

I have a ‘32 frame under my AV8. I also have a lot of different pitman arms. Give me a few days to sort them out. Maybe there is a solution in Henry’s parts pile. You can add a ball stud to the later style pitman arms.