Steering shaft length

[Rowdy]

Is the 26-27 steering shaft the same length as the slightly earlier shafts. I have a 26-27 column that the shaft is bent to almost 90 degrees at the lower end below the mount (column was in a coupe that was in a fatal head on colission in 1934). I am going to have to cut the end off to get it apart. I bought a 26-27 rdstr body (no turtle deck or box, but know where a box is) yesterday and I am seeing how close to an actual parts correct project I have. Lots of parts in the pile, so good possibilty of having nearly enough. Thanks Rod

 

[tmodelman]

Re: Sreering shaft length

The shaft for the 5:1 ratio steering ('24-'27) is the same length. You can't use the 4:1 shaft with 5:1 steering gears.

 

[Rowdy]

Re: Sreering shaft length

Thanks, I was not aware there were different ratios,. Guesse I need to count teeth and see if I can find a 26-27 engine around here. Going to set something together to get sold and like to sell things as complete as I can within reason. Rod

 

[tmodelman]

Steering gear ratios

Yes, be careful in exchanging early and late parts of the steering gear case, gears, and steering shaft. Refer to the Ford Service Manual on steering gear repair, your life depends on it !

The close up pic of the case and new hardened black color gears and pinion (Texas T parts makes these) are very good. The later case has that groove for the longer of the 3 pinions to ride in to prevent over steer, and the front wheels from locking at extreme turns. The early Ford didn't have this feature and can be spooky sometimes.

 

[Rowdy]

Re: Steering gear ratios

Likely it will be the guy who owns it next to worry about doing it right. Just making sure I have the correct pieces to it. Hopefully this next weekend I will get most of what I have set together. Unfortunately a 26-27 rearend that has the driveshaft still intact does not exist in my parts pile. Have 4 rearends and all are missing the driveshaft. I guesse that is just how luck has it. Rod

 

[Rowdy]

Got the last of the body home today and set it on the frame. The rdstr body still has the turtle deck floor on it, but the box looks about the right height even with it. Did they cut the subrails when they put the box on or just remove the sheetmetal from the floor platform? Thanks Rod

 

[Layden B]

The turtledeck was simply unbolted and the pickup box added, the subrails were left, nothing cut.
Your box however seems to be a Model A box not a T. Does it have a place for battery to be installed thru the left front corner? Model A boxes have no cutout or trap door as the battery is under the front floorboards.

 

[Rowdy]

It is a Model T. Someone welded the battery box hole closed as can be seen in this pic. The sun was at the wrong angle to get a pic from the other side. Also someone welded on some A sedan fenders for some reason and used a filler strip in the gaps. I still have some grinding to do to clean up that mess. Thanks for the info. Rod