On the splined end of the ujoint that connects to the Toyota power steering box, does the set screw on the ujoint set into the groove on the gearbox shaft? I attached a few pics. Thanks!

 

The original Toyota set-up had a rag joint. The splined end of the rag joint had cross bolt that pinched it together. The cross bolt fit through that groove. it looked like this;



Bobby

 

Thank you for the pic. I see now that the groove in the splined shaft was for the cross bolt, a lot like the original '56 pitman arm. Thanks!

 

I think you would probably be OK with running that "U" joint and tightening the jam bolt up snug wherever it lands.
If your column is anything like the on in my 49, there is no chance in the world of it popping off. I think the jam bolt is mainly to snug up the coupling.


Bobby

 

Yep I agree. I will put a couple dimples in the DD shaft and I can't think of any way the joint will come off the gearbox.

Thanks again.

 

Excellent,
Good luck with it

 

There isn't a problem if you snug the set screw into the groove, it holds the u joint nicely in place. The only thing you have to be careful about is making sure the column shaft doesn't bottom out in the u joint, keep that end more or less even with the splined section of the joint. I did mine this way and it is working out very nicely.

I also drilled and tapped a 1/4" hole through the top (splined) section of the u joint and through the steering shaft together and installed a grade bolt with locking nut. I'm confident it will never come apart.

 

NOTE!...I edited my response to read correctly. I removed the word 'splined'.
I went and took a look and realized my error, sorry. My steering shaft is solid 3/4" round.

 

I knew what you meant! I appreciate the input I remember one of the installation articles that said the same thing about not letting the column shaft protrude further than the yoke of the joint.

 

If I may ask... If I was thinking of switching to a manual steering box from a Toyota (79-84) instead of a power steering box, would it be a marked difference over the stock Ford steering box from a 1948 Ford F1? Or in your opinions if you aren't switching to a power steering box, then don't bother? thanks

 

pezsox,


I think several people around here have opted for the manual Toyota box and have had good success with it. Basically its a way to replace a worn out original steering box.
I think one of the drawbacks is that you lose the horn function due to wiring issues


Bobby

 

Is there any issues if I went with a Toyota power steering box, but kept my flathead 6 (226)? Brackets, hoses, power???

 

The only issue that I see is that the set screw depending upon its hardness might "bung up" the steering shaft splines making it hard to get the joint off (I do a lot of test fits). I put mine in the groove that way I'm sure that the assembly will never come apart even in an accident.

 

I have a 239 V8 and I had to make my pump brackets.


Brackets designed in CAD and cut out with Torchmate Plasma Cutter. The pump is an Eaton used on many makes and models in the 1950s and 60s but this one is from a 1957 T-Bird. Chrome powder coated.

I couldn't find any flathead V8 OEM brackets as that engine only had PS for 1 year. I'm sure that someone here would know if the 226 used PS for more years than that or if the brackets are available.

 

Not sure. I'm running a 500ci Caddy and using the Caddy power steering pump. The big issue I had was connecting the pump (standard fittings) to the Toyota box (metric fittings).
I ended up finding a power steering flex line from some import car that had a male fitting on one end and a female fitting on the other end. Then I took my stock Caddy pressure line, cut off the hard steel line, slipped on a metric fitting and then reflared the end. This gave me a short piece of steel line with a male standard fitting on one end to fit my pump and a male metric fitting on the other to mate with the import pressure hose to the pump.


Also, the Toyota steering box has 2 different size fittings. One fitting is 16mm, the other is 17mm. I can't remember which is which. I think there are several companies offering 90 degree fittings for the box.


Bobby