Project BLUEprint, 1965 Falcon

[Bryce]

After lots of research and some luck at the Big 3 swap meet, I found my new steering box. I could have used my original since it only has 50K miles on it, but it was 19:1 and I have a 65 mustang box that is 16:1 ratio and in good condition, but I would have had to spline the shaft and really did not want to disassemble the box. So I found a rebuilt 67 mustang box 16:1 ratio and it has a 3/4-36 spline. This is the same as my steering quickener and will make this install a lot easier. I will put a u-joint right on the input to the box.



The box is exactly the same case as my 65 falcon box. Since I had header to box contact I decided to take the opportunity to modify the box for extra clearance. I rounded the area where it hit the headers.



I then painted it with my favorite, hammer tone gold! All of my suspension is painted this color so why not.

Its hard to get a picture of the box installed.


I will be changing out the fasteners to something more visually appealing.

[Bryce]

Here you can see the stock hole in the firewall.


This plate will cover the hole and mount the intermediate shaft support.





The steering shaft support has a spherical bearing with 25* of misalignment. I bent the plate slightly to accomodate the contours in the firewall. I will get some final pictures later.

[Bryce]

Here are the pictures of my bracket for the quickener. It will mount the quickener and two pillow blocks for the steering column. This should end up have very little flex.

It started out as 4x4x1/4 square tube. I love the IMS scrap pile.





Its amazing what you can do with a wood cutting bandsaw and an aluminum blade.

Here are some installed pictures. I only have one of the pillow blocks installed. And the quickener is not installed either. I still need to cut and spline the original steering shaft.

[LM7_67]

I love the IMS scrap pile.

True story. Most of my car came from there. :D

[Bryce]

True story. Most of my car came from there. :D

They have tons of cool stuff. How was RTTC, I was too busy wrenching to get up there and spectate.

[dusterbd13]

is it just the camera angle, or does that bracket hang as low as it looks?
if it does, you may want to rethink that as your toe will hang up on it during autocross runs. or panic stops.

michael

[LM7_67]

They have tons of cool stuff. How was RTTC, I was too busy wrenching to get up there and spectate.

I was wondering where you were...

It was a blast though and quite an adventure. Will hopefully be posting updates in my thread tonight.

[Bryce]

is it just the camera angle, or does that bracket hang as low as it looks?
if it does, you may want to rethink that as your toe will hang up on it during autocross runs. or panic stops.

michael

Michael,

Thanks for the concern. It looks closer than it really is. It should not be in the way. Actually to fit me better I would like to drop the brake peddle down a little. So I might cut the MC pushrod off a little and make an adjustable return stop for the brake pedal so that is sits even with the gas pedal.

[Bryce]

I was wondering where you were...

It was a blast though and quite an adventure. Will hopefully be posting updates in my thread tonight.

I cant wait to beat on my car again.

[Bryce]

Still waiting for parts......

Does anyone know who can spline a shaft in San Diego? My contact that I lined up has not called back this week. Ugghh. I will call borgeson tomorrow and see waht they can do.

[ATOMonkey]

Any machine shop with a hob should be able to cut your splines as long as you give them the pitch and diameter. Since this is just a steering shaft spline, it only needs to be close enough to assemble.

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

I cant wait to beat on my car again.

Are you going to make the Adams event on the 29th?

-J

[Bjkadron]

Nice! Now I'm seriously thinking about swapping out the power steering and going with the manual and quickener... it would be easier while I have everything out anyway...

[Bryce]

Nice! Now I'm seriously thinking about swapping out the power steering and going with the manual and quickener... it would be easier while I have everything out anyway...

I will let you know if I can turn the car with manual steering.

[Bryce]

Are you going to make the Adams event on the 29th?

-J

It depends if I get my steering shaft splined and my work schedule.

[Bryce]

Any machine shop with a hob should be able to cut your splines as long as you give them the pitch and diameter. Since this is just a steering shaft spline, it only needs to be close enough to assemble.

I am looking for a machine shop now.

[SDS MACHINING]

It depends if I get my steering shaft splined and my work schedule.

Just clamp some Vicegrips to the shaft and make the event... I think its referred to as the "South of the Border" wheel adapter kit

[Bryce]

Just clamp some Vicegrips to the shaft and make the event... I think its referred to as the "South of the Border" wheel adapter kit

HAHA, The problem is attaching the stock steering shaft to the quickener. I finally hooked up with someone that can do it! http://www.manta.com/c/mm701tv/moore-performance Rob Moore of moore performance nitro driveline is helping me out. He rented a cutter for the hobbing machine and I should have something middle of next week. He builds input/output shafts for top fuel cars. All of my parts are here except the shaft so I took the morning off work to get the quickener mounted and u-joints installed. I will post updates tonight!

[TurboLark]

HAHA, The problem is attaching the stock steering shaft to the quickener. I finally hooked up with someone that can do it! http://www.manta.com/c/mm701tv/moore-performance Rob Moore of moore performance nitro driveline is helping me out. He rented a cutter for the hobbing machine and I should have something middle of next week. He builds input/output shafts for top fuel cars. All of my parts are here except the shaft so I took the morning off work to get the quickener mounted and u-joints installed. I will post updates tonight!

Could you use a smooth bore to 3/4-36 ujoint to couple them?

[Bryce]

Could you use a smooth bore to 3/4-36 ujoint to couple them?

I am using a solid coupler on the shaft to the quickener and that needs to be removable to accomodate quick quickener changes. I did not want to weld onto the shaft.... I could have done a double D on the shaft but the cost for the coupler was over double a splined coupler. Now ALL of my connections will be 3/4-36 for a super modular system for any future changes.