55 Ford steering box

djpink1947

djpink1947

Member
I'd like to know, can I use a 56 Ford steering gear box on my 1955 Ford vicky? I have a bad one in my car now, a guy has a 56 but doesn't know if their interchangable. I want to have the 56 rebuilt then switch it out......Dave
 
according to my interchange book it wont, it seems 54,55, and 56 all used a different set up, why not just have yours rebuilt since you are going to have the other one rebuilt, that way you will know it fits?
 
The '56 box is identical, the difference is the length of the steering column shaft. The '55 is longer. If you use the '56 you will need the complete column and steering wheel. The dished wheel is the reason for the difference in the two columns.
Regards
 
the shaft is to short.the 56 has the dished wheel for safety.i guess you could use it by using the 56 steering coluum.i dont think you want to do that.
 
The 55 and 56 gearbox are the same and have identical bolt-up to the frame except The 55 has a two-tooth roller gear, while the 56 has a 3-tooth roller gear. If you swap the gearbox you must use the entire '56 steering column and steering wheel because the 56 column is shorter to accept the 56 deep dish steering wheel.
 
Here in Oz in the 70's and early 80's it was hard to find bits for these steering boxes as not many people carried spares. If you found a good box you would do anything to be able to use it. I had a steering box in an Oz '58 (used a '56 column) and found a good used 55. Just cut the shaft and rewarded it together. Used a stick welder - NOT MIG. I had that box in my car for about 10 years and only took it out when it too was no good.
The other difference between 55 and 56 is the bottom seal on the sector shaft. I think from memory the 55 seal is smaller.
So if need be get someone who can arc weld to extend the 56 shaft for you. Just another option. Sounds scary but lots of Oz cars were getting around with this workaround. Done properly it is not an issue.
New cars have a nylon bush keeping the column together which to me sounds scarier.
Regards
 
Thanks for all the input!! The reason I want a 55 gear box and have it rebuilt is I won't have enough money to do the whole thing at once. I buy a gear box, set money aside, have box done, save money for installation of gear box, have it done. I'm no machanic so don't say "do it myself." Trust me I can't do it, I have a medical condition limits me laying on my back...............Thanks for info PS. Anyone got a 55 gear box for sale Wouldn't be able to get it till mid Jan.?
 
I rebuilt the box on my 55 about six months ago. Not a fun job and you really need someone to help when removing and reinstalling to get everything properly positioned. All the parts are readily available from the restoration suppliers, but you will need a 220 MIG welder or someone with one to put a bead on each end of the steering sector shaft roller pin (the factory mauls a head on each end with the pin under high heat).

As stated by others, the 55/6 shafts are not interchangeable - different lengths.

Instead of rebuilding the box, I could have had it done.
But it is not cheap. At the time Concours would have it done for $650 (by their rebuilder), but you need a core or the price is another $350.

You might get lucky and find a rebuilt on e-bay; often just a matter of timing and persistence. The parts pages in Hemmings can sometimes also be helpful.
 
Why not just grab the 56, cut the end off your shaft and extend the 56 shaft to the same length as a 55. Save yourself a heap of time and grief. YOu have already got the 56 Box.
Regards
 
JeffB2, Love your avatar, I had one like that when I was 16. Painted it peacock blue. prettiest Ford color ever. omho
 
I know its different but, I just completed my a full rebuild on the entire steering in my 54. I was able to disconnect and tear down the box myself. The only time that I was really on my back was when I had to take the pitman arm off my box. I know that a 54 box is strikingly different from the 54 steering, but I know the principles are the same. Once the Pitman arm is taken off, you can start the disassembly of the column. Once you strip that down, unbolt it from the frame and pull it out with the sector shaft. At this point you can put the box with sector shaft on a work bench and take the box apart there.
There are some bearing races inside that have to be pressed out and then new ones pressed in. This is the point where I stopped doing the work myself. I took it to a place local to San Diego called Hilltop Classic Cars. The website sucks but they are quick, honest. If you buy the parts separately and do the tear down yourself, it costs less than $150 for the labor to complete the sandblasting, and rebuild.
 
rick55 said:
The '56 box is identical, the difference is the length of the steering column shaft. The '55 is longer. If you use the '56 you will need the complete column and steering wheel. The dished wheel is the reason for the difference in the two columns.
Regards
Click to expand...

Rick, just curious. Are the steering boxes you use in Oz the same as used in US? Being they are on the right side of the car? Just wondering how they did that.

Also if I were to use a '56 box in my '55, how much would it move the steering wheel (towards the dash)? IMO the '55 steering wheel sit too far out.
 
Y Blockhead, our steering boxes are identical to your boxes internally, just the mounting flanges are cast on the other side of the box.
The '56 column is shorter by the difference in height when the steering wheels are laid flat on the floor. It is approximately 2-3".
I also think the wheel is too far out on these cars but if you are still retaining the column shift you run into linkage/shift lever clearance issues. I had a friend that put a 56 column in a 55 and then used a floor shift. He was extremely rotund and it gave him a bit more room behind the wheel. YOu do end up with a bit more arm room.
Regards
 
Thanks for the info Rick. I have a C-4 in the car so I am running a Lokar shifter. It just feels like the wheel is too close and with the smaller wheel it just seems to appear way far from the dash. Something for me to look into.

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I put a 56 colum into my 54 Sunliner. Used the 54 steering wheel and retained the colum Fordo shift linkage, I am in a wheel chair and do a sideways turn to fold the wheelchair and pull it into the rear seat. I get a little more clearance that way. My wife doesn't like it as the steering wheel is closer to the dash board and she has less clearance to get her legs in. the distance between the steering wheel and seat front of the cushin is much closer. I'll try and load a picture up later.
 
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