[WilderRods]

Can someone tell me if i move the orig. steering box back 3 inches to make room for my 351 how bad i will screw up my steering? This is a 31 ford with orig.axle .

[willys36@aol.com]

Does it have a drag link parallel to the frame to the driver side spindle or cross steering to the passenger side spindle? If the former, there will be zero effect and not much with the cross steer either. Moving it back on the cross steer case will shorten the radius that the spindle rotates just slightly and increase the turning radius of the car but I doubt you will notice the difference.

[Max Keith]

Dittos Willys36

[WilderRods]

Thanks willys36 It has a a drag link parallel to the frame as you described. So I will try my original box and see what happens. I might have to go work out with weights first to turn it as I think it will be pretty stiff.

[Frisco]

Originally posted by WilderRods
Thanks willys36 It has a a drag link parallel to the frame as you described. So I will try my original box and see what happens. I might have to go work out with weights first to turn it as I think it will be pretty stiff.

The stock Model 'A' steering box will work fine. Moving it back from the original location will only cause you to have to increase the length of the drag link.

An alternative that will result in easier steering would be to use a 1956 F-100 Ford pickup steering box. It has three mounting ears and one will have to be removed to fit between the frame. Then it is almost a direct bolt-in replacement. You can use the F-100 pitman arm or for even easier steering use the pitman arm from the '56 Ford 1 ton truck. That arm is longer and gives much more mechanical advantage and will bolt right onto the F-100 steering box.

[willys36@aol.com]

Yes, old gears leave a lot to be desired in the ease of turning area. I put power steering in my '53 Chevy half ton, I hurt a wrist several times trying to turn the stock gear, even with the 8' diameter stock wheel! The reversed Corvair (a MUST on any decent Willys gasser!) is reasonably easy to steer even with the boat anchor hemi weighting it down. A '56 ford or Corvair would probably improve your car too.

If you have room (not likely) look at a mid 80s Toyota Land Cruiser power steering gear. It is a slug very similar to the '56 Ford pickup and '50s Chevy pickups thus fairly compact and easy to mount. See this for how it installed on my truck.