Does anyone have pictures of a rootlieb style speedster that uses a stock steel firewall rather than a wood firewall ? Thanks in advance
The issue of the stock steel firewall in a speedster is the stock steering column location.
If you are going to use the stock steel, you'll have to reposition the column plate when dropping the steering column in a lowered seat speedster.
Thanks for the info ,seems like a lot to lower, what about a traditional rootlieb type speedster with the bucket style seats? I see that some suppliers sella"wedge" to lower the steering column. Any thoughts on this? Thanks
That wedge will tilt the steering column down and you will still have to reposition your column coming thru the firewall.
This yellow speedster that I used to have, has a steel firewall.
You might be able to make out some detail in this photo. What you can't see really well, is the fairly small hole (about an inch and a half hole) below the original hole for the steering column. Behind the firewall is a block of wood which covers the original larger hole and bolts to all four original bolt holes plus the two new bolt holes to attach the column (also a wooden wedge). This stiffens the assembly somewhat. The hole for the column to go through the wood was drilled, then hand filed and fitted to leave the most material for strength.
The lower bracket was moved up into the frame channel. A wood wedge was used between the bracket and the lower frame channel rail. Two bolts in the bottom of the bracket through the wedge and frame. Something you cannot really see, is a third bolt was drilled through the side of the frame rail into the bracket below where the original bolt was put. You can just see the top of the bracket sticking up alongside the frame rail. It is all a tight squeeze, but fits nicely.
The main advantage to raising the lower bracket into the frame rail, is that raising the bottom, fulcrums around the firewall, and lowers the steering wheel end. This, without lowering the firewall mounting point as much to interfere with the transmission pedals so badly. Also, lowering the steering column angle changes the pitman arm angle. Instead of angling back, it goes almost straight down. The drag-link clears the pan nicely, and the pitman arm just barely clears the frame enough for those sharp right turns. (Also part of "it is all a tight squeeze".)
It worked very well and was very comfortable to drive (at least for me). It was a very basic, simple, model T speedster. It was more fun to drive than I expected. After I sold it, I found I had added it to the growing list of cars I had to let go of that I would really like to have back (if only I could afford it).
The steel firewall is easy to attach to whatever kind of cowl you want.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Side note, if you don't drop the steering column too much, you can 'splay' the low and brake pedal out by bending the pedal shafts, or even trim the pedal pad to keep it or your toes from hitting the lowered column.
I would like to see pics of where the wood speedster floor meets the original metal firewall. Thanks
I would like to see pics of where the wood speedster floor meets the original metal firewall. Thanks