Bobby's son can lift a lot more than I can... But if you need a hand, let me know, Bobby!

This would sure be a great opportunity to change the tri-color paint scheme.... just sayin'....

 

Ilya, he's having steering issues, Ross is an engine specialist.

 

LOL...

Bob, I'd be tempted to go back with a flattie if I could get my hands on an old Caddy flattie..

Ross, There is a bunch of repairs I need to make to the front clip while its off, Its going to be hard to decide where to stop.

Speaking of which....
Ilya, I might hit you up for some sheetmetal pieces. I might want to replace the upper header above the grill and maybe the lower valance as well. I'm not sure if I have spares or not.

Scott, I'll probably have some leftover....LOL. On your next trip to the wrecking yard check out some of the vans, there's lots of nice multi "U"joint steering shafts out there. I'll keep you posted.


Bobby

 

Bobby;

Looks like your steering fix is starting to gain some momemtum; kind of like a snowball.

I'm envious in the fact you are able to work on your truck this time of year. I had thoughts of doing some work on mine, since we had above freezing temperatures my last days off. But that quickly turned to snow and ice so ...no work 'til spring on mine. I'd like to pull the instrument cluster and get it functional.

Keep at it; its starting to come together...er apart...whatever.

Tom

 

Thanks Tom

Its actually easier for me to work on the truck in the winter. In the summer its too fun to drive...LOL

Bobby

 

OK, I managed to make a little progress after a few setbacks (see thread 49 F1 Toyota PS questions.... https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post13999714 )

There was no way that the Toyota box was going to fit in the original location in my truck. After much hand-wringing, pacing back and forth, cussing, worrying, sipping a frosty or two, commiserating with an old friend, etc. I decided to jump in and do something.

First I thought I might be able to get away with changing the exhaust. I tried my block hugger headers but they would gain me anything. I researched alternative Cadillac exhaust manifolds. There is only one other style and it wouldn't have helped at all. I even contemplated running the passenger side exhaust manifold on the drivers side, etc....nothing doing.

So, I took a leap, fired up the smoke wrench and cut an access opening in my boxing plate and started making measurements. I decided to lower the box 1 1/2" in the frame and rearward 2 3/4". I pulled out the hole saw and poked a hole. The new position seems like it will work out all right. I probably could have gone aft another 1/2" but I think this will work out just fine.

Here it is in the stock location;


Here it is in the new location;





And here is a couple of shots of my new steering column. The column will get tucked up tighter to the dash and I'll have to fabricate a new steering column mounting bracket but I like the way it looks so far;




Thanks everyone for listening to my ramblings
Bobby

 

Ilya, Bright Red or Yellow preferred on those, please

Bobby, doesn't look like the headers will gain much? Maybe in close to the block, but maybe lose some vertically.

 

Ross,

Yea, the headers didn't gain much in the way of steering box clearance. For a short time today I was tempted to use them, but then my hatred for headers (and header leaks) took over and I opted for the stock exhaust. Dang, I must be getting old.....LOL

Bobby

 

Looking good Bobby!! I'm glad to see you getting some work done on your 49! Keep the pictures of your progress coming. And you said my project was difficult. I don't know about that. I think trying to figure out the correct angles and geometry of a steering system is hard.

 

Uh Oh.....you mean I'm supposed to figure out the "correct" angles?!?!

Dang! back to the drawing board....LOL

Thanks Keith, I'll keep pics coming as I make progress

Bobby

 

LOL, hey I finally get to comment on your thread for a change!!

 

Thanks Keith

Well, I made a bit more progress today. No pictures to speak of, just grunge work.
First I went and visited my buddies over at the fabrication shop and was able to scrounge a 26" length of 1/2 x 2 flat bar and a 26" length of 3/8 x 2 flat bar. This should give me plenty of material to fabricate a steering box mount.

When I got home this evening I finished cutting out a section of my boxing plate, and then spent some miserable time with grinder in hand smoothing out and cleaning up the inside of the frame rail where the boxing plate was.

Hopefully I'll sneak some more truck time in this weekend.

Bobby

 

Bobby, sounds like a lot of work. Get any cold frosties stuck in there?

 

Dang Bob, thats where I went wrong tonight....no frosties
I'll double up on them tomorrow to make up for it

 

Its going to work!!!! Wooohoooo!!

First a little safety reminder. I was grinding away on the frame on Friday night. I was laying on the creeper underneath the danged thing, I had my safety glasses on and was going to town. I had a chunk of slag or hot steel come ripping at me and right up under my safety glasses and come to rest near the tear duct of my left eye and burned the tar out of me. I was danged lucky this didn't go in my eye.
After that incident I dug out my full faced shield and went back to work. Dang that hurt!

OK, so I put the box in place with the hoses fitted and then put the exhaust manifold back in place. Plenty of clearance between the return line and the exhaust. The pressure line is within about 3/8" to 1/2" of touching. There is plenty of room to "tweak" the line a bit. I'll angle it outwards away from the engine and then try and take come of the curve out of the line. No problem!







Bobby