Volare front suspension
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Volare front suspension
Hi there. im new to the forum but am excited to share my limited knowledge and feed off everyone elses. i just purchased a 55 F100 project. It is a very solid truck that someone has already started to hot rod, including installing a Volare-type IFS. I was wondering if anyone here has done this, and most importantly what you have done for motor mounts and steering box? I have no problem making mounts as i have a fair bit of fabrication and machining experience, i am curious, however, to see what other people have done. I was also wondering if anybody had put rack and pinion steering in with the Volare clip. To me this just simply seems like the easiest way to gain clearance for headers and motor mounts.
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I beleive that mounting an R & P set up would not be practical. You can't mount it to the front of the K-member because you have the torsion bars in the way. If you mounted it to the rear of the K-member you would severely limit the amount of space for the oil pan to fit between the K-member and the firewall.
Just my $.02 cdn
Just my $.02 cdn
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From: Michigan
I remember somebody on this forum saying a shop was/is making a rack and pinion steering kit for the volare but the name of the company has slipped away with time. 
Chuck
P.S. The name weed eater street rods or something like that seems to ring a bell.
Edit: I forgot to include that mine is a 56 with a Volare front suspension and a 351W/AOD. Pictures of my engine mounts are in my gallery.
The engine is offset about one inch to the right (pass side) and at the moment I am using production exhaust manifolds but I will be changing to headers that are used when you install a 351W in a fox must.
Chuck
P.S. The name weed eater street rods or something like that seems to ring a bell.
Edit: I forgot to include that mine is a 56 with a Volare front suspension and a 351W/AOD. Pictures of my engine mounts are in my gallery.
The engine is offset about one inch to the right (pass side) and at the moment I am using production exhaust manifolds but I will be changing to headers that are used when you install a 351W in a fox must.
Last edited by merc546; Oct 19, 2006 at 06:43 AM.
More Turbo
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From: NC
There are a lot of 53-56 F100s running the volare type front suspensions. I put one under my 56 . Most people are able to use the factory steering . My engine is a 472 Caddilac , using cast iron manifolds . I have no clearance problems. I think I remember seeing something about r&p steering on volare suspension , but I would try to work things out & avoid it if at all possible. Motor mounts shouldn't be too hard . Just set your engine in where you want it & see what it takes.What engine do you intend to use ?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I put one under my 48 F-3. I ordered the No-Limit engine and transmission mounts that set the engine two inches to the right. I used the right side mount and trashed the left since it's like putting a jizsaw puzzle together and I never figured it out. Moving the engine to the right gets you more steering box clearance which you have even less of in the 48-52 than the 53-56. Even the Chrysler engines that were originally installed in these suspensions were set to the right of center. The biggest problem is with the left engine mount. I made my own... 
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From: Rockford, IL
Originally Posted by sdetweil
I have the Volare clip in my 55 with a 460. I ended up making my own headers. See my gallery.
Sam
Sam
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Thanks for everyones help!
The motor that came with the truck is a 351W and is most likely what I will end up using. The company making the Volare r/p conversion is Weedetr Street Rods. link is http://www.weedetrstreetrod.com/newprods.ivnu As far as using a steering box, the truck currently has one in it along with some home made motor mounts that are more than just hokey. There is only about 7/16" between the box and block. I considered raising the motor to try and gain clearance, but its up about as far as it will go without the bellhousing hitting the firewall. The motor is centered between the frame rails, and i would like to keep it there if possible. So at this point im still leaning to the rack. Ive done a couple of rack and pinion conversions before at my previous job, so im not TOO concerned with finding a way to make it work, but i would still like as much feedback and advice from other truck guys before i get in too deep. Thanks again!
The motor that came with the truck is a 351W and is most likely what I will end up using. The company making the Volare r/p conversion is Weedetr Street Rods. link is http://www.weedetrstreetrod.com/newprods.ivnu As far as using a steering box, the truck currently has one in it along with some home made motor mounts that are more than just hokey. There is only about 7/16" between the box and block. I considered raising the motor to try and gain clearance, but its up about as far as it will go without the bellhousing hitting the firewall. The motor is centered between the frame rails, and i would like to keep it there if possible. So at this point im still leaning to the rack. Ive done a couple of rack and pinion conversions before at my previous job, so im not TOO concerned with finding a way to make it work, but i would still like as much feedback and advice from other truck guys before i get in too deep. Thanks again!
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