With the headers temp bolted in then that gives me a better idea where the steering linkage needs to be routed. The Patriot shorties have a pretty good gap in the LH header for the steering to pass thru so that is what I will shoot for when connecting to the IFS rack and pinion. My plan is to use the existing steering column and steering wheel but modify the column to connect to the rack and pinion.
The first order of business was to cut the steering column free of the stock steering box and remove and retain it and the center shaft. Once the column was cut it was pretty rusty so I stripped it down (remove bearings and such) to clean it up. I used some PVC pipe that I had laying around and bonded in a cap and created a vinegar bath to soak it in to de-rust it.
While the column was soaking then I started looking at what it would take to get this all to work. I purchased two steering u-joints from Borgeson...one with ¾” double D on both ends and one with a double D on one end and a splined end to match the rack and pinion shaft. I also bought a stock new upper bearing for the steering column as well as an aftermarket bearing designed to be pressed into the open end of the column once I determine where to trim the column. It also looks like I may need to take the column to a machine shop and have them open up the ID a few thousands to get a good press-fit on the lower bearing...but I'll deal with that later (one headache at a time). I will also need to have the steering shaft cut and a double D end flats machined into it to mate with the U-joint.
After I had the two U-joints in hand, I again used my ¾ dia wood dowel rod (with flats cut into it with a utility knife) to help sight the steering linkage routing. In trying to connect the rack and pinion to the end of the column with a straight shaft, the shaft was contacting the header tube that ran closest to the block but there was room outboard if I could somehow move the column over (to the left).
I played around with solving this issue, looking at it from various methods (i.e. adding an intermediate link and support, etc). I finally settled on doing two things to be able to utilize a single shaft. First, I need to trim the end of the column about 1” to get the u-joint up a little higher to clear the headers and give me a better angle for the connection. I'll have the machine shop do this when they open up the ID. Second, I need to move the firewall penetration outboard (to the left) about 3/8 to 1/2” inches. This will allow the shaft to clear to header tube next to the block. The stock steering is kicked inboard a bit so this will make it more parallel to the truck centerline. I will probably cut it out and slide it to where it needs to be and then tack it in place and do the final welding when the body is removed from the frame again.
(Note: This brings the project up to realtime. This is where it currently sits so the posts and progress will slow down a bit since I usually do the bulk of my work in the fall and winter...but my plan is to take baby steps and keep moving the project forward during the short term. My goal is to get the truck onto its wheels by the end of summer or early fall.)
1949 Chevy Panel Truck A Project Journal I'm old but I make up for it by being immature.
