34 steering box in a 32

Mark from Australia

Senior Member
Can a 34 steering box be used in a 32 frame?

I'm building a 29 coupe, on un-narrowed 32 frame and have been offerred a 34 steering box. Before I go to the effort and expense of shipping it, am I able to substitute the 32 steering box with a 34 model.

BTW I don't have a 32 setup. :eek:

thanks for your advice
 
is the box your geting out of a right hand drive i know on the later boxes the sector shaft is different not sure on the early ones. i assume your runing r.h.d
 
Mark it fits no problem...the three bolt fixing needs redrilling 180deg on the frame thats all.

steeringboxbuildup004.jpg
 
Here's a link to Vince Falter's website where he shows the difference between the '32 and the '33-'34 steering boxes. Hope it helps.

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/bsteeringsectorhousings.htm

I'd advise to wait until you have the body all mounted and everything in place before you drill the holes in the frame. I'm doing an A body on an A frame with F1 steering and I'd love to get into getting the steering mounted, but I don't have a body yet, so I'm gonna have to be patient!

(Twice edited PWV 5 Dec 10- Updated Vince's website.)
 
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Thanks for your advice, links and pictures guys. I appreciate you help.

Looks like I'm on the right track with 34 steering instead of vega-type steering.

BTW I will be seated on the right of the car;)
 
The worm housings are the same for 32-34; the sector housings are not, as per other posts, but a 32 sector housing CAN be substituted onto a 33-34 steering to make that part a 32. I just measured both housings (again) and the 32 is 1/4" longer than the 33-34 (at the centerline of the sector shaft), although the flange angles appear to be the same. If you redo the mounting hole pattern in the frame, will also need a 1/4" spacer... If you replace the sector housing with a 32, be aware that the very early Commercials used a different housing with a "B" stamped on the mounting flange, while the Passenger part has an "A". Has to do with the different column angles...

The worm shaft itself on 32 is shorter than on early 33 (13:1 ratio) and later 33-34 (+1/4" length and15:1 ratio) Since 32's are usually 13:1 ratio, getting a 34 with 15:1 is good. Worm shafts can be shortened, but may also have to relocate the steering lock striker, which is not a big deal.

If the "34" steering that you are getting makes 4 complete turns lock-to-lock (while not in the car) it is a 15:1. If about 3-1/4, it is a 13:1. You will also need a 32 Pitman arm, of which there are two versions... In fact, there are two versions of the 32 SECTOR housing... Has to do with Passenger vs. Commercial and the angle of the steering column... which the Pitman arm is "reclocked" to get it back to vertical at straight-ahead on Commercials with the steeper column angle.

It would be alot easier to find an actual 32 steering...
 
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For those doing an A V8 with an F-1 steering box, watch the exhaust to steering clearance... I shortened the snout on the box, butted the 2 bushings together and used a 3/8" plate to replace the mounting flange that I cut off... Used a REAL thin seal, and still I wished for more room for the rear exhaust to clear the box... Karl
 
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