The Ford Barn

sonny · 11-09-2011, 10:16 AM

I hear talk of these engine steady rods,I don't have them. Should I? I have a 32 BB 1.5 ton dually. 4 cyl.

JonC · 11-09-2011, 10:52 AM

I believe the purpose for the rods are to keep the motor and trans from moving fore and aft. This prevents the fan from hitting the radiator. I did not have the rods in my 36 when I first got it but put a set in. Someone else can tell you if you really need them but I thought if they were installed when new they had a purpose.

Seth Swoboda · 11-09-2011, 10:59 AM

I don't beileve a 4 cylinder B engine will have "engine steady" rods. Only the V8's.

NealinCA · 11-09-2011, 11:05 AM

B cars had them, but I don't know about trucks.

ora masters · 11-09-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealinCA

B cars had them, but I don't know about trucks.

yes B trucks have them mine does

Joe KCMO · 11-09-2011, 12:33 PM

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Are necessary, because of the torque tube attached to the transmision. When the engine torques it causes the clutch to chatter ( clutch becomes cocked against pressure plate). Therefore the term anti-chatter rods. In my case, I could not drive the car in reverse up an incline without them.

sonny · 11-09-2011, 12:36 PM

I was told by a friend that the cars and pickups used them but the BB's did not. If I was supposed to have them, where do they go and where would I get them? This truck is 157" w/b 1.5 ton dually. Thanks.

rotorwrench · 11-09-2011, 02:31 PM

The big trucks that have dual fore & aft mounted rear springs should not need them since the forward push of the rear axle it transfered to the springs as on the later open drive vehicles. All the transverse rear spring types with a torque tube would do better with them than not.

DavidG · 11-09-2011, 07:01 PM

No engine steady rods are listed for BB trucks in the '32 parts catalogues (the ones published in 1932) and that's borne out by the Ford Archives photo below. All 106" wheelbase chassis (passenger and commercial) did have the rods, be they fours or V-8s.

37ford4dr · 11-09-2011, 07:28 PM

just above the starter you can see the rod that goes to the frame. on my 37 4dr sedan there is one on each side

40fordpu · 11-10-2011, 01:52 PM

Check the old posts on the issue. I did a lot of research on the topic because of my 8ba and 59ab. I actually had bought some brackets from someone on here to install my 8ba on my 40 pickup. If I remember correctly they are needed only because of the drive shaft/torque tube. There are even forums that talk about fabricating the bars from all thread stock. Good luck.

Zaemo · 11-10-2011, 02:06 PM

Even after reading your book, David, I am still unclear if the 4 and 8 cyl rods are different. What I gathered was that the diameter of the rod changed but the length was the same. Is that true?
I need to get a pair on my 32 but have yet to figure out how to attach them to a late Merc flathead.

Z

John R · 11-10-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

No engine steady rods are listed for BB trucks in the '32 parts catalogues (the ones published in 1932) and that's borne out by the Ford Archives photo below. All 106" wheelbase chassis (passenger and commercial) did have the rods, be they fours or V-8s.

Steady rods are not needed for the BB trucks because the torque tube provides forward thrust through the crossmember at the front of the tube. The rear springs are double shackled, so they don't provide any fore-aft thrust.

sonny · 11-10-2011, 07:20 PM

Thanks for all the info. Been into street rods all my life and kinda lost my need for speed. Bought this 32bb and keeping it stock. Just want a nice driver that I don't have to detail every time it leaves the yard.Had a 36 5window with 365 fueler s/b, 400 turbo etc. Had a 35 tudor with a 392 Hemi. Had a 48 Anglia, set up for s/b but never completed. Used to race my chevy's and Mopars in the 60's until Uncle Sam came a calling.Just last year sold my 29 tudor, chopped 302 etc. This is just more relaxing. Thanks again.

Joe KCMO · 11-10-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaemo

Even after reading your book, David, I am still unclear if the 4 and 8 cyl rods are different. What I gathered was that the diameter of the rod changed but the length was the same. Is that true?
I need to get a pair on my 32 but have yet to figure out how to attach them to a late Merc flathead.

Z

If your engine is similar to an 8BA I have the solution for attaching rods to the engine. The solution is two s shaped brackets. They bolt on to the side of the bell housing. After being bolted on, they provided a mounting hole for the rods which the later v8's do not have. I have the pattern I could send you.

Strick · 11-10-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaemo

Even after reading your book, David, I am still unclear if the 4 and 8 cyl rods are different. What I gathered was that the diameter of the rod changed but the length was the same. Is that true?
I need to get a pair on my 32 but have yet to figure out how to attach them to a late Merc flathead.

Z

Z - cool avatar. can't wait to see it in person. check out av8paul's old post in the classified....

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ht=steady+rods

gearhead1952 · 11-10-2011, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe KCMO

If your engine is similar to an 8BA I have the solution for attaching rods to the engine. The solution is two s shaped brackets. They bolt on to the side of the bell housing. After being bolted on, they provided a mounting hole for the rods which the later v8's do not have. I have the pattern I could send you.

I would be interested in seeing your solution and maybe a pic and/or pattern. Thanks

Are the steady rods reproduced by anyone? I'd like to find a nice pair.

DavidG · 11-10-2011, 11:46 PM

Zaemo,

It is a bit confusing, but you are unlikely to encounter the very early version of the early '32 large diameter V-8 rods so ignoring those, the typical '32 four cylinder rods are longer in overall length than the typical '32 V-8 rods. This difference is only in overall length. They are the same length from where they attach to the center cross member to the shoulder on the rod (see photo). The four-cylinder rods can be cut off on the threaded end and re-threaded to exactly duplicate the original V-8.

David

Joe KCMO · 11-11-2011, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead1952

I would be interested in seeing your solution and maybe a pic and/or pattern. Thanks

Are the steady rods reproduced by anyone? I'd like to find a nice pair.

I made my own rods for a 39 ford. Frame end Welded a washer at the end of a steel rod and threaded the end that would go thru the engine. Not very difficult.

Joe KCMO · 11-11-2011, 12:23 AM

[QUOTE=gearhead1952;304524]I would be interested in seeing your solution and maybe a pic and/or pattern. Thanks

Gearhead52,

Here is what I am using. Instructions written on pattern. One bolts on each side of the bell housing. Puts a chatter rod mounting hole on a 8BA where there used to be a whole on 48 and down.

11-09-2011, 10:16 AM	#1
sonny Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Mantua, Ohio Posts: 269	Engine steady rods I hear talk of these engine steady rods,I don't have them. Should I? I have a 32 BB 1.5 ton dually. 4 cyl.

11-09-2011, 10:52 AM	#2
JonC Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Central NY Posts: 629	Re: Engine steady rods I believe the purpose for the rods are to keep the motor and trans from moving fore and aft. This prevents the fan from hitting the radiator. I did not have the rods in my 36 when I first got it but put a set in. Someone else can tell you if you really need them but I thought if they were installed when new they had a purpose.

11-09-2011, 10:59 AM	#3
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,788	Re: Engine steady rods I don't beileve a 4 cylinder B engine will have "engine steady" rods. Only the V8's.

11-09-2011, 11:05 AM	#4
NealinCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Coast, Calif. Posts: 839	Re: Engine steady rods B cars had them, but I don't know about trucks.

11-09-2011, 12:33 PM	#6
Joe KCMO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 423	Re: Engine steady rods Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Are necessary, because of the torque tube attached to the transmision. When the engine torques it causes the clutch to chatter ( clutch becomes cocked against pressure plate). Therefore the term anti-chatter rods. In my case, I could not drive the car in reverse up an incline without them.

11-09-2011, 12:36 PM	#7
sonny Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Mantua, Ohio Posts: 269	Re: Engine steady rods I was told by a friend that the cars and pickups used them but the BB's did not. If I was supposed to have them, where do they go and where would I get them? This truck is 157" w/b 1.5 ton dually. Thanks.

11-09-2011, 02:31 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Engine steady rods The big trucks that have dual fore & aft mounted rear springs should not need them since the forward push of the rear axle it transfered to the springs as on the later open drive vehicles. All the transverse rear spring types with a torque tube would do better with them than not.

11-09-2011, 07:28 PM	#10
37ford4dr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: arlington va Posts: 185	Re: Engine steady rods just above the starter you can see the rod that goes to the frame. on my 37 4dr sedan there is one on each side

11-10-2011, 01:52 PM	#11
40fordpu Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 637	Re: Engine steady rods Check the old posts on the issue. I did a lot of research on the topic because of my 8ba and 59ab. I actually had bought some brackets from someone on here to install my 8ba on my 40 pickup. If I remember correctly they are needed only because of the drive shaft/torque tube. There are even forums that talk about fabricating the bars from all thread stock. Good luck.

11-10-2011, 02:06 PM	#12
Zaemo BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 241	Re: Engine steady rods Even after reading your book, David, I am still unclear if the 4 and 8 cyl rods are different. What I gathered was that the diameter of the rod changed but the length was the same. Is that true? I need to get a pair on my 32 but have yet to figure out how to attach them to a late Merc flathead. Z __________________ WANTED: 1932 Front X-Member 1932 Rumble Seat Back Spring Cushion- Roadster 32-34 Roadster Windshield Cones Original 32 Straight Rear Spreader Bar

11-10-2011, 07:20 PM	#14
sonny Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Mantua, Ohio Posts: 269	Re: Engine steady rods Thanks for all the info. Been into street rods all my life and kinda lost my need for speed. Bought this 32bb and keeping it stock. Just want a nice driver that I don't have to detail every time it leaves the yard.Had a 36 5window with 365 fueler s/b, 400 turbo etc. Had a 35 tudor with a 392 Hemi. Had a 48 Anglia, set up for s/b but never completed. Used to race my chevy's and Mopars in the 60's until Uncle Sam came a calling.Just last year sold my 29 tudor, chopped 302 etc. This is just more relaxing. Thanks again.