[reflog]

A few years ago I wrote and asked about the steering on a 54 Chev and how to convert it. I received photos but did nothing with the car since then. A new question has now entered my brilliant mind. What if I installed a column from Ididit or Flaming River? Would the cut to the main shaft be the same as previously stated in my other thread? Cut off at about 2 inches above the steering box? Also, has anyone done this and if so, does the car steer any better? I am running radials on this car and it turns hard enough to be powered by Armstrong. It now has a 454 in it and I am thinking of pulling that engine and installing a 327. I have the spare 327 so all I would need is to put it back together and get everything set up. Might help taking some of the weight off of the front end also. Thanks for any help.

 

[OneMoreTime]

Changing the steering column is not going to change the steering effort. I would contact these guys Borgeson Universal Steering Components and see if they have a power steering box that would work for you. You will need a pump and hoses but since BBC had power steering options all the pieces are available at the pick-a-part local to you.

Good luck and of that doe snot work out we will try something else.

Welcome to my world
Sam

 

[39 master]

'54 chevy steering

You didn't say but sounds like it's stock '54 Chevy suspension. If so it's time for an upgrade. Take the 454 out, unbolt the original front end and put a new Mustang II style front suspension in complete with a power rack. Put an engine in of your choice complete with power steering pump. Ahhhhhh!

 

[reflog]

Thanks for the replies. I thought that the conversion to the new column would not change the steering but had to ask. Will see what I can do to convert the steering to some type of rack and pinion. I don't want to put a whole bunch of money into this as it will go down the road once I get the problems fixed that I see in the car. I just want to get it safe for the next owner. Thanks again.

 

[Too Many Projects]

If you're just going to sell the car, leave it alone, let the next owner change it to what they want. Any rack conversion will cost plenty. I have a '54 too and the options for steering upgrade are expensive.

 

[reflog]

My problem is that I hate to pass something along when I know it is not up to a certain standard that I set for my self. Would love to just get rid of it but the way this one was converted to hold the BBC is laughable. All I am thinking about doing now is changing out the column and installing the 327 to make room. That way I can get a radiator that fits. Then down the road.

 

[Too Many Projects]

If the BBC and trans are something you want to keep, pull them and sell it as a roller. My experience with fixing stuff just to sell it, is any amount of money and time I invest is a giveaway at sale time. Unless what you are doing will, at least double the value, it may not be worth it.
Really no advantage to changing the column. If the steering box is loose, maybe get one from Lares in Cambridge. You can get replacement parts for the rest of the steering in St Paul at National Chevy Assoc on Arcade. I just came from there...

 

[OneMoreTime]

Chevy, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford owners, contact the staff at Classic Performance Products here.

These guys may have the steering box you need. Give them a call. Would be much easier and more economical to just change out the steering box.. having to modify the steering can get spendy in a hurry..

Sam

 

[reflog]

If the BBC and trans are something you want to keep, pull them and sell it as a roller. My experience with fixing stuff just to sell it, is any amount of money and time I invest is a giveaway at sale time. Unless what you are doing will, at least double the value, it may not be worth it.
Really no advantage to changing the column. If the steering box is loose, maybe get one from Lares in Cambridge. You can get replacement parts for the rest of the steering in St Paul at National Chevy Assoc on Arcade. I just came from there...

I really do not want the BBC in this car. It makes the car look half done. They really butchered the core support area to get it in. No recess on the firewall for the engine. Will pull the engine and try to sell it. Not sure anyone would be interested but it is all I can do at this point. I know it can be expensive by going this way but I figure if I can put a couple of grand in to it I should be able to get it out or close to it. I always figure to lose my time and effort so no dollar value anticipated there.

 

[reflog]

Chevy, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford owners, contact the staff at Classic Performance Products here.

These guys may have the steering box you need. Give them a call. Would be much easier and more economical to just change out the steering box.. having to modify the steering can get spendy in a hurry..

Sam

It's not really the steering box that concerns me. It is the whole steering column. That's why I think I will follow advice from an earlier post on cutting it and the tube and installing a newer style column. I can't seem to get everything to work correctly with the set up that I now have.

 

[astroracer]

It's not really the steering box that concerns me. It is the whole steering column. That's why I think I will follow advice from an earlier post on cutting it and the tube and installing a newer style column. I can't seem to get everything to work correctly with the set up that I now have.

Just sell the car with the disclaimer it is a project car and will need work. You are throwing dollars after dimes and no one buying the car will care.
Yank the BBC and sell it separately. Probably get more for both of them that way.
Mark