Steering Box I.D. ??

[NealinCA]

Picked up a neat old steering gear today. I'd like to find out some info if anyone recognizes it. It's got a chrome column mast and fabricated and chrome column drop...which tells me it was in some sort of Hot Rod.
The steering box appears to be a Gemmer...very similar to the 37 Hudson box I have in my 32 pickup...except for the mounting bracket. This one mounts on top of the frame with an adjustable bracket. It allows for different column angles, which make me think it was maybe an aftermarket "universal" box? Also, an early Ford (32-48) pitman arm fits. Any ideas? With a flange welded on, it would make a good box for my 32 sedan...but the mounting barcket is neat enough I may save it for a "T" modified I am collecting parts for...

The the other question is the steering wheel? Or mainly the horn ring and lever in the middle...which I assume was for a light switch...but it seems a little overkill. Anyone recognize that?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Neal

 

[Richard (EV8G)]

It has a 4-bolt bottom plate and a side cover like a 37-48, so probably has a roller sector and (maybe?) and 18:1 ratio? My immediate thoughts were that it could fit is Dennis' T, except would maybe mount too low for his "arrangement" and not sure how the column would align??? The wheel and "lever" are very interesting; along with all the stuff at the bottom; must have controlled "something" ? With the adjustable angle, would need to be able to also vary the clocking of the steering arm so it would be vertical when straight-ahead and steering centered. Take the top cover off so can see inside!!! Might use the same gears as Ford???

 

[Uncle Bob]

That center lever deal is pretty neat, lots of things you could do with that. It might have been for engaging a "free wheeling" feature that seemed to enjoy some popularity in the '30s.

You might try posting up on the AACA board as that covers multiple makes. Someone there might recognize that setup right off.

 

[NealinCA]

It has a 4-bolt bottom plate and a side cover like a 37-48, so probably has a roller sector and (maybe?) and 18:1 ratio? Might use the same gears as Ford???

I'll take the cover off tonight to take a look see. But...it is configured just like the Hudson box...which is a mirror image of a Ford. If you roll a 37-48 Ford box over on it's side, the pitman arm points up. This one points down...just like a 32-34 box. And unlike an F-1, the column comes into the top of the box rather than the bottom.

My dad was wondering if the lever was for spark...but it seems too new to me for that?

I am intrigued...

Neal

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Some early Chevies used a bracket like that...I think HRM did an installation tech using one once. No idea what the box looked like. Another hunting tool is Old Motor's manuals, which list out the types of boxes different cars used in order to route you to generic articles on Gemmer types and so on.

 

[NealinCA]

I think Alchemy nailed it over on the HAMB.

That's out of a boat. I have two of them from Chris Crafts, but yours may be from another make as well. Same supplier as Ford had, just flipped over. In my examinations, I think they are the same internally as an F-1 box, but the housing is upside-down (backwards). And adjustable. Could come in handy in the right application.

The odd handle in the center of the steering ran more than just the horn. Maybe the throttle as well? I'm not a boat guy.

Double check yours to see if the pitman should point up or down for use in a car. I seem to remember them needing to point up. Good for a car with a low frame.

(one of my boat wheel/column/box assemblies came with the Stewart Warner five-hole Ensign gauge panel and original winged gauges)

I just googled ChrisCraft steering wheel and came up with this...

I wonder if it's worth more to a boat guy than it is to me...

Neal

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

And that explains the anachronistic appearance of a seeming spark or throttle lever on a 1940's looking wheel!
I think several people on HAMB have used that steering and written a bit about it.

 

[Richard (EV8G)]

So, being from a boat, gears might be like 37-48 or F-1 (same) because maybe they work right for a boat??? direction-wise... The lever on the wheel center could be a combination gearshift/throttle??? or just one of them??? Looks like the bottom is set up for a cable...