The Ford Barn

Woodie UK · 05-29-2014, 06:16 AM

Yo Barners,
I need to replace the steering box on my French-built Matford woodie and the chances of finding a replacement this side of the Pond are pretty grim at best.

I've seen mention of the benefits of using a Vega style box and as there seem to be plenty of variations available I thought I'd ask if anybody in the great and mighty barner universe has fitted a Vega steering box and what there experiences have been, before I order one?

Colin

Brian · 05-29-2014, 02:56 PM

Why 'bastardize' your car? Why not rebuild what you've got? Is the Matford RHD, or left? Three questions to answer your question.

Old Col · 05-29-2014, 07:29 PM

Hi Colin, if your Matford is l/h/drive the Vega box should fit with a little work...but....they have a short splined shaft instead of a full length steering shaft up to the st.wheel. That means signifigant alterations if you wish to run the original column, also means you won't be able to run the light and horn switch at the bottom of the steering box as in a regular V8 like your '36. I'd be looking at rebuilding your original box or sourcing something like a '37/40 box out of the US and using that. Even if you need to trim a little length off the steering shaft, it's only a bit of lathe work and you'd still be able to run all the correct switch gear and have it all look "right".

PS, got a copy of your Woodie book out of England a few weeks ago,great stuff and should be a considerable help in building my '41 Woodie,thanks!.....cheers, Colin.

johnny · 05-29-2014, 08:04 PM

May I suggest you contactthis man in Ohio US. He re manufactures the inners for ford steering boxs and also Model A fords he can supply a better ratio than original .I just got one from him for a 46 Ford Woodie .It's great. He goes by hot rod John and Plain Jane www .ezsteer.net [email protected] Hope this helps Johnny

john in illinois · 05-30-2014, 06:54 AM

Ther has been discussions on the HAMB about EZ Steer.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t.../#post-6610962

John

Mr. Will · 05-30-2014, 07:42 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by john in illinois

Ther has been discussions on the HAMB about EZ Steer.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t.../#post-6610962

John

Looks like a scary ride ahead for anyone that purchases a ezsteer... This guy is defiantly steering you the wrong way...

Woodie UK · 05-30-2014, 03:53 PM

Hi Brian,
The Matford is left hand drive which is why the Vega box seemed an attractive option. Don't know of anybody here in the UK that could rebuild the original and all that stuff about Ezze Con or whatever makes me leary of shipping something backwards and forwards across the Pond.
Colin

35ragtop · 05-30-2014, 03:55 PM

Hi Woodie,
I recently rebuilt an old box for my 34 pickup ( RHD ). All the parts (repo) I bought from the USA. RHD sector and worm. Used the old shaft, new bearings. Works well and a fairly easy rebuild.
Good luck

Brian · 05-30-2014, 04:11 PM

Colin, parts are easily sourced to rebuild what you have, and like ragtop says, a fairly easy rebuild. I would say rebuilding with new parts is at least easier than converting in mongrel parts, which then necessitates repositioning light switch, horn button, with associated rewiring etc.

scooder · 05-30-2014, 04:28 PM

What does the original steering box look like? Might be a frog box, might be a normal US Ford type box.
Pics would help.
Martin.

sortkaffekop · 05-31-2014, 02:32 PM

Might I suggest
http://www.clubvedettefrance.com/for...ae48ab81e6d37e

A club I attend. French, Im afraid...

Regards, Chr/Denmark

johnny · 05-31-2014, 03:03 PM

Colin ,I have most of the parts you need to rebuild your box .I do not need them, as I bought a e/steer box complete . I have a NOS Ford made sector, new needle bearings and seal for same and gasket set and new bearings for the worm shaft, all parts you would need except the worm.Johnny.

scooder · 05-31-2014, 04:08 PM

Johnny, you got the bits for s Marford box? Or a Ford box?
Needle bearings, sounds like a 1936 (I think) Ford steering box.
Martin

johnny · 05-31-2014, 08:43 PM

Scooder The parts I have are from Drake and are for the 38/48 Ford box the needle bearings are an update from the bushings originaly used .The main reason I went with the E/steer box was for the slower ratio I am happy with the quality and it's operation. The parts he claimes are all US made. Johnny

05-29-2014, 06:16 AM	#1
Woodie UK Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 91	steer me in the right direction Yo Barners, I need to replace the steering box on my French-built Matford woodie and the chances of finding a replacement this side of the Pond are pretty grim at best. I've seen mention of the benefits of using a Vega style box and as there seem to be plenty of variations available I thought I'd ask if anybody in the great and mighty barner universe has fitted a Vega steering box and what there experiences have been, before I order one? Colin

05-29-2014, 02:56 PM	#2
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: steer me in the right direction Why 'bastardize' your car? Why not rebuild what you've got? Is the Matford RHD, or left? Three questions to answer your question. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

05-29-2014, 07:29 PM	#3
Old Col Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Croydon ,Victoria,Australia Posts: 107	Re: steer me in the right direction Hi Colin, if your Matford is l/h/drive the Vega box should fit with a little work...but....they have a short splined shaft instead of a full length steering shaft up to the st.wheel. That means signifigant alterations if you wish to run the original column, also means you won't be able to run the light and horn switch at the bottom of the steering box as in a regular V8 like your '36. I'd be looking at rebuilding your original box or sourcing something like a '37/40 box out of the US and using that. Even if you need to trim a little length off the steering shaft, it's only a bit of lathe work and you'd still be able to run all the correct switch gear and have it all look "right". PS, got a copy of your Woodie book out of England a few weeks ago,great stuff and should be a considerable help in building my '41 Woodie,thanks!.....cheers, Colin.

05-29-2014, 08:04 PM	#4
johnny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: London On, Can. Posts: 377	Re: steer me in the right direction May I suggest you contactthis man in Ohio US. He re manufactures the inners for ford steering boxs and also Model A fords he can supply a better ratio than original .I just got one from him for a 46 Ford Woodie .It's great. He goes by hot rod John and Plain Jane www .ezsteer.net [email protected] Hope this helps Johnny

05-30-2014, 06:54 AM	#5
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,185	Re: steer me in the right direction Ther has been discussions on the HAMB about EZ Steer. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t.../#post-6610962 John

05-30-2014, 03:53 PM	#7
Woodie UK Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 91	Re: steer me in the right direction Hi Brian, The Matford is left hand drive which is why the Vega box seemed an attractive option. Don't know of anybody here in the UK that could rebuild the original and all that stuff about Ezze Con or whatever makes me leary of shipping something backwards and forwards across the Pond. Colin

05-30-2014, 03:55 PM	#8
35ragtop Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gold Coast , Australia Posts: 249	Re: steer me in the right direction Hi Woodie, I recently rebuilt an old box for my 34 pickup ( RHD ). All the parts (repo) I bought from the USA. RHD sector and worm. Used the old shaft, new bearings. Works well and a fairly easy rebuild. Good luck

05-30-2014, 04:11 PM	#9
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: steer me in the right direction Colin, parts are easily sourced to rebuild what you have, and like ragtop says, a fairly easy rebuild. I would say rebuilding with new parts is at least easier than converting in mongrel parts, which then necessitates repositioning light switch, horn button, with associated rewiring etc. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

05-30-2014, 04:28 PM	#10
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: steer me in the right direction What does the original steering box look like? Might be a frog box, might be a normal US Ford type box. Pics would help. Martin.

05-31-2014, 02:32 PM	#11
sortkaffekop Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Kolding, Denmark Posts: 129	Re: steer me in the right direction Might I suggest http://www.clubvedettefrance.com/for...ae48ab81e6d37e A club I attend. French, Im afraid... Regards, Chr/Denmark

05-31-2014, 03:03 PM	#12
johnny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: London On, Can. Posts: 377	Re: steer me in the right direction Colin ,I have most of the parts you need to rebuild your box .I do not need them, as I bought a e/steer box complete . I have a NOS Ford made sector, new needle bearings and seal for same and gasket set and new bearings for the worm shaft, all parts you would need except the worm.Johnny.

05-31-2014, 04:08 PM	#13
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: steer me in the right direction Johnny, you got the bits for s Marford box? Or a Ford box? Needle bearings, sounds like a 1936 (I think) Ford steering box. Martin

05-31-2014, 08:43 PM	#14
johnny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: London On, Can. Posts: 377	Re: steer me in the right direction Scooder The parts I have are from Drake and are for the 38/48 Ford box the needle bearings are an update from the bushings originaly used .The main reason I went with the E/steer box was for the slower ratio I am happy with the quality and it's operation. The parts he claimes are all US made. Johnny