'49 M68 Merc truck, with original 239CI flathead - have one of those "how much should I worry about this" questions.

We got the Toyota steering box installed, and now that it is in there I am beginning to wonder what issues we could get into since it is very close to the exhaust header. There is a small gap - you can't see it in the picture but it's there. Maybe we should create a heat shield, or wrap the steering box with some heat-resistant material? First of all, is this an issue, and what might happen if the box gets too hot?


Steering box attached to frame - maybe 1/4" gap at the right side between header and steering box

 

Very clean work. If it were mine, I would fabricate an aluminum shield and paint it black.

 

Thanks - I decided overnight that I would put something in there, aluminum is likely a good plan. Have to figure out what to attach it to.

 

There isn't much room. I don't know if a heat shield would help or hinder. Perhaps if you added an air scoop. It looks like that is a manual box? If it were power there is oil running through the box constantly so an in-line oil cooler would help if it is a problem. I haven't heard anyone commenting on the need for a shield and many on here have been using Toyota boxes for years.


Toyota P/S box clearance

 

That is a Toyota manual box, petemcl. We haven't had an issue yet - so will likely go with a simple aluminum sheet solution at this time and see what happens. I'm still unsure of what might happen if that box gets too hot, quite frankly. Maybe nothing.

 

I wouldn't paint it, shiny reflects high-temperature radiated heat better. If you can get stainless steel, even better.

 

Probably best to leave it for now, at least, as unpainted. I plan to spend some time and money on cosmetics after we've been on the road for a while, so that's an easy decision.