MTFCA Forum

You start from ground zero. Been here before, same situation years back when a friend with an early model Caterpillar Road Grader had a case break. They were notorious for the exact same thing.., poor design in the support web on the pitman arm shaft case. Caterpillar wanted...., $14,000.00 for a new replacement steering box and a wreaking yard in Arizona wanted...., $4,000.00. Yes..., those figures are correct!



So this is off of some car of the era 1920's? But perfect for my 1927 RPU on steroids!

I purchased this from another club member as after he received it and blasted the crud off, he noticed the repair and breaks. Disappointed in his decision of the buy, we agreed on a price. This size box will fit into the channel of a Model T frame with some machining which I wanted this style being 7 to 1 ratio for my last T project.

So here are the results that if you think it out, not all is lost. Made from shop scrap steel, false webs, and textured to look like cast iron. The internals are in beautiful condition! Enjoy my long weekend therapy!

All the Best,

Hank

Hank

I love seeing someone cypher out their problem and then the steps to go from disaster to happy conclusion. THANK YOU for the time and foresight to photograph the process. This sort of topic is, to me, like catnip is to a cat. Thank you for a very enjoyable pictorial story!

I guess that I'm not a genius. I must be missing something. Why would anyone want to install a defective Caterpillar part on a Model T?

Thank You Scott, Just trying to inspire others. Nothing is really worth throwing in the towel.


No John it is not a Caterpillar part.., just another faulty design that failed with now an improved repair. I was using the Cat part as the basis years back. Sorry for any confusion.

Hank

Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 4:46 pm

So this is off of some car of the era 1920's? But perfect for my 1927 RPU on steroids!

I purchased this from another club member as after he received it and blasted the crud off, he noticed the repair and breaks. Disappointed in his decision of the buy, we agreed on a price. This size box will fit into the channel of a Model T frame with some machining which I wanted this style being 7 to 1 ratio for my last T project.

So here are the results that if you think it out, not all is lost. Made from shop scrap steel, false webs, and textured to look like cast iron. The internals are in beautiful condition! Enjoy my long weekend therapy!

IMG_6480.jpeg

IMG_6481.jpeg

IMG_6486.jpeg

IMG_6488.jpeg

IMG_6489.jpeg

Nice work, Hank (as always).

So, I understand that the donor part is not from Caterpillar. Is “some car of the era 1920’s” all the info that is available? It does appear that if an undamaged example could be found, it would make a good start for many speedster projects. If a whole one was found, would you recommend any specific reinforcements to ward off future problems?

Eric

duplicate post, sorry…

Eric

Sometimes building stuff is the most fun there is.
Job well done.
Rich

Eric, It was a great strong design except for that output shaft housing. Would like to find out the car it came from as with little machining has great clearances in a T frame rail. Will still need to put an upper and lower anti frame twisting bracket like with a Vega box, since torque is now at the frame and not being transferred thru the steering column tube.

Hank

Nice Clearance!!!!!