35 steering column on 37-40 gear box?

[CSArno]

Can a 35 steering column be adapted to a 37-40 gear box? Including the 35 steering shaft?
Have a 37-40 gear box but the steering shaft was cut off at the gear box.
There is probably literature out there on it. Vern Tardel's #1 book?

Thanks,
Chris

[JSeery]

Yes, you can press the worm gear off of one shaft and press it on to the other one. However, it is not easy to press them on and off, need a good press and/or setup. 35 thru 39 all have the same length shaft. A lot of them are cut for shipping, etc. I weld them up using a sleeve over the joint.

[flatheadfan]

Cris-

As I understand your question, you are asking about the metal shaft inside the exterior tube housing. If this is the case it "can" be done but is tricky. First, you need to pull everything apart and measure the the total length of the shaft that was cut off to determine what needs to be grafted on. The eventual length should be 46.50" inches long tip to tip. Next weld one end of a ignition lock collar (see picture), on the cut off shaft. Cut the donor shaft the needed length to total 46.50". rotate the broken piece and line up the key-way (previously marked high spot before disassemble). Insert the donor shaft into the collar and a rod to mimic the light rod to insure hole alignment between the two pieces then weld. Things must perfectly straight. I have done this by placing the shaft in "V blocks."

Warning, this is a general description from memory of a "very senior citizen" so, I may missed something! However, if all fails, find another gear box. They are still around and wear is not a major problem on these gear boxes. They do hold up well from extended usage and the adjustment is easy.

Tom

[CSArno]

Thanks J and Tom,
But I have 2 totally different answers from each of you. Maybe I can explain more.
I have a whole and complete 35 steering column with inner shaft and complete 35 gear box.
The 37 to 40 gear box has the steering shaft (shaft inside the hollow steering tube) cut off at the gear box. Do I really have to cut the 35 shaft and graft it on to the 37 -40 shaft or can the worm gear be pressed off the cutoff 37-40 shaft and pressed onto the 35 shaft?
Sorry for any confusion.

Chris

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by CSArno

Can a 35 steering column be adapted to a 37-40 gear box? Including the 35 steering shaft?
Have a 37-40 gear box but the steering shaft was cut off at the gear box.
There is probably literature out there on it. Vern Tardel's #1 book?

Thanks,
Chris

Chris, yes, and yes to your first two questions. I personally prefer and recommend pressing things apart and back together, for various reasons, rather than welding. It is not that tricky if you have, or have access, to the right equipment and tools. Here are some pictures that Neal in California posted awhile back (I hope he does not mind) and I use the same basic procedure. The key to success is having a large enough press and a good clamping collar to hold the shaft during pressing. I have done this for quite a few steering box rebuilds of my own, my friends, and other Fordbarners who have mailed their parts to me.

[JSeery]

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Originally Posted by CSArno

Thanks J and Tom,
But I have 2 totally different answers from each of you. Maybe I can explain more.
I have a whole and complete 35 steering column with inner shaft and complete 35 gear box.
The 37 to 40 gear box has the steering shaft (shaft inside the hollow steering tube) cut off at the gear box. Do I really have to cut the 35 shaft and graft it on to the 37 -40 shaft or can the worm gear be pressed off the cutoff 37-40 shaft and pressed onto the 35 shaft?
Sorry for any confusion.

Chris

Unless I am misunderstanding the answers are same (in part), you can press the worm gear off and on the new shaft OR you can cut the new shaft and weld it to your existing shaft. The other posts just provided some detail.

[CSArno]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the help. And pics are always very helpful.
Think we are going to try to press the worm gears off and on. Cutting a good steering shaft is a bit scary. The info might come in handy I've the future though.

Thanks again,
Chris

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by CSArno

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the help. And pics are always very helpful.
Think we are going to try to press the worm gears off and on. Cutting a good steering shaft is a bit scary. The info might come in handy I've the future though.

Thanks again,
Chris

I agree on the cutting, in theory, but in practice it works fairly well. A gentleman here in Wichita modifies later steering boxes for use in Model As and that's what he does, cut and weld. Works great. But, I too would go the press route if you have the capability or can get a shop to do it.

[NealinCA]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

Here are some pictures that Neal in California posted awhile back (I hope he does not mind) and I use the same basic procedure.

No problem, that's why I posted them...to help others. I did do a double take...I thought...hmmm, John's press and tooling looks exactly like mine.

Neal

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by NealinCA

No problem, that's why I posted them...to help others. I did do a double take...I thought...hmmm, John's press and tooling looks exactly like mine.

Neal

Thanks Neal, I was hoping you would not mind. When I first tried pressing these worm gears off and on different shafts, I used a section of pipe to support the shaft, trying to keep the shaft from bending. This worked ok, but after seeing the clamping collar you were using I came up with something similar. See attached picture. Its a block of aluminum with a hole drilled through the center that's just slightly larger in diameter than the shaft. Then I cut a slot through one side to the hole and installed three socket head machine screws to clamp the block tightly on the shaft. It works pretty well.