Changing a 36 steering box for a 37

36coupe

36coupe

Well-known member
I have a complete 36 steering box and steering wheel for my 36. I picked up a really nice 37 box that had the shaft cut off just above the box.
Can I take the 36 box off and install the 37 box leaving the 36 worm on the shaft?
I guess what I’m asking is the 36 worm and the 37 worm the same and the only change would be the selector? The Green bible shows different part numbers.
Thanks
 
The ‘37 steering ratio is different than the ‘36.
The ‘37 is much preferred over the ‘36 and earlier. I have changed at least two over to the ‘37 ratio.
One was a ‘35 convertible sedan. I think the first one I did I think was a ‘36. Don’t remember what body style, the owner had several thirties Fords.
The ‘37 ratio makes the car steer easier.
 
There are some old threads on this subject that will be a big help for you to read before starting on your project. We put a '37 steering box in a '36 Phaeton and everything pretty much bolted right up. The most difficult part of the job was removing the '36 steering box mounting bracket that was riveted to the frame in four places, and also breaking one spot weld loose at top of bracket to frame. We replaced that bracket with a '37-'41 bracket. I'm thinking we covered all of these things in our thread. You'll need to do a search to find these threads. Good luck.
 
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An excellent upgrade and well worth the effort. I did this to my 36 Cabriolet and the difference was noticeable.I was ready for the fight with the 36 mounting bracket but in the end it was pretty straightforward and came out without too much trouble.
 
don't have to change the mount drill a new hole in the area below the top mounting hole in the steering box housing much less work
 
The '36 mount can be used and 2 holes will line up....you add the third. Hope
your motor is out. I did this switch on my '35....very happy upgrade.

Charlie ny
 
3wmike said:
What year of steering box is to prefer ?
And how do I identify it ?
//Michael
Click to expand...

I'd shoot for a '37-'39 box because it will still have the provision for the headlight switch down at the bottom. Also, the length of the column should still be correct for a '36.

The pic below shows the one you want on the left, as it has the set-up with the provision for the wire bail to hold your switch in place, like the '36 has on the right. 1940 and later boxes just have a flat plate at that point. Your '36 Pitman arm will fit right on if you decide to use it. DD


446225
 
I used the original '36 mount in my '36 when I went to a '37 steering gear (a worthwhile upgrade). It must have been pretty easy, because even though it was 30 years ago, I don't remember any drama at all.
 
I was just double checking the worms were different. I have the 37 bracket for the frame. I’m starting some progress, using original parts, got to love left overs from street rodders. The 37 box is on the floor. The car was going to be steet rodded and it came with no axles. I managed to get the front and rear axles, shocks, tires, steering box, steering wheel and transmission from a 37 that was street rodded.
Thanks for the replies
 

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tub1 said:
don't have to change the mount drill a new hole in the area below the top mounting hole in the steering box housing much less work
Click to expand...

Charlie ny said:
The '36 mount can be used and 2 holes will line up....you add the third. Hope
your motor is out. I did this switch on my '35....very happy upgrade.
Charlie ny
Click to expand...

Our first attempt on this swap was to keep the '36 frame mounting plate and drill the extra hole in the steering box casting, exactly as suggested in these posts, and in our case, it would not work since the '37 steering box interfered with the exhaust manifold. So, at that time our only recourse was to remove the '36 mounting bracket and replace with a stock '37-'41 steering box mounting bracket. This was a royal pita on a completely assembled vehicle, BUT the final results were well worth the effort!!
 
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I also got the mounting bracket. I assembled the 36 column just to make a steerable roller.
Disassembling the 36 steering column, getting the wheel off and ignition switch might be challenging due to rust.
To remove the steering shaft from the 36 is it as simple as removing the horn button headlight switch and pulling the steering wheel? Or do I have to disassemble even further?
 
Once you remove the horn button/light switch rod (w/o bending it!!), back the nut off until it's flush with the top of the threads on the steering shaft to prevent thread damage. Sometimes you get lucky and the steering wheel will disengage from its tapered fit on the shaft with a slight pull, but I've had to use a good steering wheel puller most of the time.
 
I put a '40 steering gear box w/40 mount in my '36 in 1955. The '37-40 worm and roller, compared to the earlier worm and sector, is like adding power steering, especially when parallel parking.
I used the '40 setup because I had it, left over from a '40 project, and my '36 has a column shift.
I flipped the gear shift lever over to the left side of the column, which made the confined space in a '36 coupe much more user friendly.
 

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When I was in high school, all of the guys who had cars with the gear shift "flipped" to the left side had steady girlfriends and 3 kids by the time they were twenty. The rest of us "made do" with them on the right side and an occasional floor shift.
 
blucar said:
I put a '40 steering gear box w/40 mount in my '36 in 1955. The '37-40 worm and roller, compared to the earlier worm and sector, is like adding power steering, especially when parallel parking.
I used the '40 setup because I had it, left over from a '40 project, and my '36 has a column shift.
I flipped the gear shift lever over to the left side of the column, which made the confined space in a '36 coupe much more user friendly.
Click to expand...

That’s cool I never knew that was done or thing back in the day.
 
In my younger days it was common to have your girlfriend move the column shifter! And then the short floor shifters were always fun with your girlfriend straddling it. The good old days.
 
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