The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 1954 3100 Manual Stearing Upgrade?

This 1954 3100 was my first vehicle. I've had it since 1974, my Dad bought it around 1956.
Dad and I put a 350 & TH350 in it around 1978. In 1992 to save some insurance money I parked it (Big mistake) Got it cleaned up and running recently, took it for it's first road trip this last weekend and she ran great, amazing what a little elbow grease and TLC will get you!
I have always wanted headers and picked up a set of block huggers, even with the stock steering box moved as far over as possible they are a no-go. I plan to install a 3" drop front axle in the near future and the old steering box has to go. What is the best manual box to run? and set up? I see power kits all over the place, any manual kits out there? Or advise on what to start scrounging up?

Here is a picture from last week end, I'll post more as she progresses. Thanks for any advise.


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d71/SeaOx/IMG_0166.jpg

Hi salvo...that's a sweet looking '54 you've got.
I'm glad you got her where she should be...back on the blacktop.

I'm not too clued up on the steering issue as I've gone the Mustang II route, hang tight though, help will arrive just shortly.
Good luck.
Jock

Thanks jock! A friend and I got it running a couple years ago, but I got side tracked. Been working on it steady for about 3 months now, been through everything! Planning a trip up to Utah Labor Day weekend, my folks live up there, can't wait to throw the old man the key's and tell him and mom to go take a long drive. It really is nice to have it back on the blacktop.

Saginaw makes a manual box. I think you would want a late 60s to early 70s box. They look like a Saginaw PS box, just smaller.

They will mount and connect just like a Saginaw PS box. Here is a picture at Rock Auto's site This is a 1970 manual Saginaw box. It would work very well.

Nice truck salvo!!
It's good to hear another 'bolt is back on the road.

If this were my truck I'd get a refund on the block huggers and look for a pair of factory ram's horns or other stock manifold that will fit your situation. They'll actually perform better on your stock or mild 350 than the headers and they won't need continual tightening. Should be able to run your stock steering box too.

Just an opinion though, good luck with whatever you decide to do, oh, and welcome to the Stovebolt pages too!!!

Check out a box from a Land Cruser or Tacoma with a straight axle. I'm working on fabing a kit to mount the box forward of the axle by the core support, using a steering colum from a Jeep Cherokee with u joints & a shaft in between.
The arm swings verticle just like the stock box.

Great info, thanks!
Lonnie Gallaher, what vehicle can that box be found in? I would buy a new/rebuilt but the parts guys I have dealt with are lost without a vehicle to trace the part too, so am I!

waldo53, I have thought about Ram horns, sure would simplify things, I did get a refund on the block huggers. Just something nice about headers.

nvrdone, I actually have a 76FJ40 that I put a big block in and power steering, I'll have to go see if I still have the old steering box out in the garage.
I really appreciate the help, you guys have given me some great ideas.

I understand cutting the column, fab a column bearing, shafts and u-joints. What does it take to connect the new box to the remaining linkage?

I guess it's safe to assume you've considered the work involved in "dropping in" a new box, changing/fabbing a new pitman arm and modifying the stock or changing the column, shift linkage and electrical. As Waldo53 correctly points out, swapping out a set of Rams Horn headers would be the least painful solution. Headers in general, don't factor in until you get way up in the rpm range.

If you were going to go for a power conversion you'd have to make these changes. I prefer the stock manual box in my daily driver 54 as it is tough, responsive and I get good feedback from various road surfaces. Consider the Ram's Horns...and you'll save yourself a bunch of headaches.

Dave

BTW.....if you need additional clearance you can use a pass side truck Ram Horn exhaust manifold with the outlet pointed forward on the Driver's side.

Dave

Fla54Chevy3100, you have a great looking 54! And enjoyed your updates in the gallery. I'll have to think a little harder about the Rams horn.
Tuckers parts is located here in Vegas, I asked them about Rams horns a while back and if I remember correctly, they either have them or can get them for around $100.00 each, I guess that’s reasonable?

Right now I have center dump rams horns on my pickup with the steering box moved out about 2". It works well.
Check out allamericanclassics.com for a set of rams horns.
There phone # is 360-254-8850 in Vancouver WA.
Look at there web site. You will be blown away.

Salvo,

1970 C10 Chevy truck.

Thanks Lonnie!

I got lucky and a fellow friend gave me a set of Ram Horns and they fit nicely in my 52panel.
BOTH of mine have the "built in" mounting place for the gen/alt and the other side can be for A/C.

The reason I mention this is we may be over looking a good source for these ram horn headers. While trying to figure out just what year these headers were another friend of mine said they had the "mounting places" on both sides because they came off a 2 ton truck that had an oil cooler mounted on the passenger side.
I do not know if there is any truth to this or not but as info someone might confirm this?? I also believe mine came off a 327 engine. Either way they cleaned up nice and with some Calyx rubbed on them they look nice. Soooo, don't pass up a big truck in the pasture. It may just have what your looking for???? There is a pic of my ramhorns in the photobucket below.

As for steering I finally gave in an put power steering on mine. Bought a rebuilt box for a 74 model year from Advance Auto and got the kit for mounting it with everything but the pitman arm. I think the instructions said use one off a mid year malibu/Monte which I think is 5 1/2". ..... just another thought.

Great info Achipmunk, I'll keep a look out! Your 52 is looking good.