Steering column: tank or dash mount

pjdeb

pjdeb

Senior Member
What are your opinions on changing to steering column dash mount as a way to avoid any possible future problems with leaking tank mount? 1930 CCPU
 
I did exactly that (installed the 1931 upper steering column support, and removed the lower steering column clamp of the original gas tank support), just for peace-of-mind; the longest part of the process was prepping and painting the new support - it comes as bare metal.

I ended up reusing the old original lower steering column clamp - it fit the new upper steering column support perfectly, and looked nicer (was already black (which is what I painted the new support), vs. the new ones being sold at the time which were bright and shiny - I assume stainless).
 
In my opinion, there is no logical reason to stay with the tank mount unless you are doing a fine point restoration.
 
Dash mounts are not available for our cars so I went to the trouble of buying a LHD one to see what they were. I cut it up to make a pattern and had more cast in aluminium. I have one on all 4 of my cars and I know there are lots more running around here, some in cars that already had leaks and others as a prophylactic measure.
Unless you are fussed about having your car judged, I wouldn't hesitate.
 
I have seen photos of the dash mount, and they all seem to show that they move the steering column lower into the driver's lap. Is this a given? I don't want to reduce the available driver's room if possible. Anyone tried to take the column mount from a junk gas tank, and make their own?
 
The steering column was lengthened by 1-inch in early 1930 so that may have helped some when the upper dash mounted column drop was introduced but I don't know. The 1930 drop was sort of triangle shaped on the mount surface and only had three rivets holding it where the 1928/29 was more square shaped and had four rivets. I'd say the 1930 set up was the more vulnerable of the types before the 1931 change.

On a car with a tank mounted drop, it pays to be careful how much force is applied to it. Keep kids from climbing onto it for sure. The taller cars with running boards made the steering wheel a grab handle to aid in entry into the cab. A person should find another aid to do this since it aggravated the situation. The old fuel tanks aren't getting any newer and the time it takes to repair a cracked one would be high indeed unless a DIY guy has the tooling and skill set to do that job.
 
The reason why they leak is people pulled on the column to get in the car. On its own, there is barely any weight on the support as most of it is on the frame.
 
Mine was seeping when I got the car, re soldered it 50 years ago, and yes I do put some weight on it getting in, still no returning leak.
 
I removed mine from the gas tank after I saw someone who knows alot about the car, yank on the steering wheel to pull himself in.
 
pjdeb said:
What are your opinions on changing to steering column dash mount as a way to avoid any possible future problems with leaking tank mount? 1930 CCPU
Click to expand...

Think about it, Henry must have changed it for a reason!
 
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