Steering box interferance on 1940 Ford Coupe

Scott De Shields

Scott De Shields

Senior Member
I have a 1940 Ford coupe with a Saginaw 525 manual steering box upgrade with a SBC and a late model toploader 3 speed transmission with a Jeep shifter conversation. I want to run a late model flathead with a toploader 4 speed with the Jeep shifter. Can I run the Saginaw box or will I have to go with a 1940 steering box. Any help would be appreciated
 
It depends on which steering bracket you have in the 40. If you are using the bracket that replaced the stock bracket you should be O.K. That bracket puts the 525 closer to the frame rail and you will need that extra clearance. You will also need to use the headers from Speedway that they make to clear the Vega box in a 35-40.
 
Im running a 525 box with Fenton headers on my 40 Convert. Made my own bracket that moved the box as close to the frame rail as it would go and lowered it down about 1/2 an inch. With this bracket a 605 power box will also clear the headers.
 
The stock '40 box is actually a great box. Since your going back to a flathead (YOU DA MAN ) why not go back to original. In my '40, as long as your moving, you would think it was power steering.
 
Thanks for all your input. I did get that bracket that holds the 525 close to frame so maybe I am alright. Could not run center run block huggers with 525 and SBC so I ran S+S fender well headers but discovered tire scrub on bottom of headers when making turns. S+S said at the time that I need to run 14" wheels but still like the look of the 15's. The coupe also runs on propane but I am taking it back to gas for convience reasons. Will sell SBC engine when my flatty is finished.
 
Scott De Shields said:
Thanks for all your input. I did get that bracket that holds the 525 close to frame so maybe I am alright. Could not run center run block huggers with 525 and SBC so I ran S+S fender well headers but discovered tire scrub on bottom of headers when making turns. S+S said at the time that I need to run 14" wheels but still like the look of the 15's. The coupe also runs on propane but I am taking it back to gas for convience reasons. Will sell SBC engine when my flatty is finished.
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Don't be afraid to move that 525 box further into your frame for clearance. That's what I've done to place a PS box in my 40 p-up project so the wife can drive it. Some pics are posted - I will reinforce the frame once I get the box set up and aligned with my column properly. I actually modified thestock 40 Ford steering box mount to create the space needed. The aftermarket stuff just didn not give me the room

Also, check w/Weedetr Street Rods - he used to have an exhasut system for SBCs and rams horn exhaust that worked really well. It might just give you the room you until the flattie comes along.
 

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Wonder if I can alter the after market bracket that I have now. Not sure if I saved the original bracket. Did save the stock steering box but cut the shaft.
 
Hi Scott - sorry, can't help with the steering box but curious to know if you needed to do any mods to the x-member or wishbones to use the late model 3-speed toploader/jeep shifter setup?
 
Simon, I put a Ford toploader with Jeep shifter in my '36. I used a Chassis Engineering center section but made a new bottom plate that has the wishbone ball mount incorporated in it.

On another note, have you all forgotten about using the left exhaust manifold from a 265 Chevy for clearance with the steering box when you stuff in a SBC? Maybe they are too hard to find. I used one in a '36 sedan with a manual GM box. That car steered like a truck. I really prefer the '40 box that I am using now.
 
"On another note, have you all forgotten about using the left exhaust manifold from a 265 Chevy for clearance with the steering box when you stuff in a SBC? Maybe they are too hard to find. I used one in a '36 sedan with a manual GM box. That car steered like a truck. I really prefer the '40 box that I am using now."

Or a passenger side manifold from a late 70's Chevy PU.
 
My Ford is running a Dana rear end with an early design TCI rear wish bone split kit. I am still running the original transverse spring. Rear wheel in opening is still like the way Henry designed it which is a little forward unlike paralel springs that center the the wheels in the opening. I did split the front wishbones years ago with the TCI front wishbone kit to run the toploader
 
magzboy said:
Can i run a Chev steering box and still use my 40 Ford steering / column shifter ? If so, which box.
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You can still run the Saginaw 525 box and use the stock column. That is what I'm doing in my '40. You will use the stock steering shaft and use a universal joint to mate it to the box. You will use a wheelbarrow bearing on the bottom of the column which slips into the tube to stabilize the shaft. A split collar will hold the bearing in place.
 
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