Ok, so you need better steering in a speedster. So I did it. Vega box from Speedway Motors. Here is a picture:
Here is one a little closer:
Ok. So the question for you speedster guys is how do you hook up the throttle and advance rods so that they still work with the standard rods on the steering wheel?
I will be using a two u-joint (double D) connector rod to hook the T steering rod to the Vega box.
Any ideas or experience greatly appreciated!
Thanks & Regards,
Jon
First, get the top u-joint as far forward from the firewall as you can. If you are lucky you may be able to get away with a single u-joint. All depends on the angles and what flexibility you have with your mounting brackets for the steering box. Then it's a matter of making a couple little brackets to support the timing and throttle rods. I didn't plan that ahead and would need to remodel things to make it work on my car. I only used one u-joint but it's too close to the firewall and blocks the control rods. I'd planned on a foot throttle anyway and use a choke cable to control the advance. It would be nice to have the levers functional though even if you have a foot throttle.
You may find it necessary to add another brace between the steering box and the engine pan to limit the flex in the frame. A simple cross bar worked for me (although I used a VW rather than Vega box).
Thank you, Walt. That bolt-in frame bracket for the Vega box is a modified '34-'41 Ford bracket (Speedway Motors). I modified it by moving the bottom shelf up a bit so it would fit inside the T frame. Fortunately there IS a bottom shelf (not visible ) that has two more frame bolts in it. So maybe it will be stable enough. I had to make a small notch in my pan to provided a bit more clearance for the Vega box.
Maybe I can make a control rod base that will bolt in down near the Vega box. That is, of course, what Ford did on the stock T.
The T steering shaft will be cut shorter and machined for a double D u-joint. That will be either hooked directly to the Vega box or connected with a short double D connector rod.
Thanks for any suggestions,
Jon
On the cars we have built I left enough room below the firewall to attach levers on the spark and throttle rods. We use choke cables to operate those functions.
Walt is correct about a link to secure the frame. The steering box will twist the frame when you turn. I use a short link with aircraft heim joins on both ends between the steering box mount and one of the oil pan bolts.
Looks like a nice car in progress. Chaffin Rajo? I have one, have not run it yet.
Erik
Yes, that is a RAJO kit from Mark Chaffin.
Erik and Walt - do you have a picture of the mount from the steering to the pan bolt?
Thanks for the ideas.
Regards,
Jon
I was thinking a choke cable for the spark and foot feed with a choke cable on a slide for cruising.
I am doing a right hand drive speedster with a distributor, that choke cable idea may be the just the ticket for that one.
Choke cables are usually a solid wire in a wound housing. for the foot throttle you would want smoother movement. A motorcycle shop should be able to set you up with a throttle cable for not much money.
Andy