reversed corvair steering box mounting pics?

Does anyone have any pics of a reversed corvair box mounted to a frame so I could see how to mount mine? I see that the box has a slight angle to its mounting surface. I just bought an aluminum reversed box and I can't believe how light it is. Thanks for any and all input!!

Also, I am guessing I will have to use u-joints to position my steering wheel in place, if anyone has any pics of their zig-zagged steering column, I would love to see that as well, Thanks!!

Here you go Bud. I mounted mine exactly like you are describing, in front of the firewall. The part that bolts to the box is simply a flat steel plate, and it needs to be angled down on the inside so that the box sits level. It was trial and error until I got it mounted so the box sits with the output shaft sitting level. To mount the plate to the frame, I made up a flat steel plate that sits vertically, then put a sectioned piece of box tubing under it to act as a stand, and give it more support.

Here are some pictures.

Don

Thank you very much Don!! Thats exactly what I was hoping to see! Did you file out the 4 wide splines in the pitman arm so you could move it to any spline location you choose? Also, did you drill out the end of the arm to fit a 1/2" or a 5/8" rod end? Thanks very much for the pics!!!

You will notice in some pictures the steering box is different. The red one is an original Corvair I was going to use, but the black one is a Flaming River one I bought from Speedway to replace it. I just didn't like the feel of the Corvair box (it has some roughness internally) so I decided to bite the bullet and lay out $370.00 for a brand new one. It steers like power steering, and I'm glad I did it. You also have to watch the Corvair aluminum boxes on a little heavier car, as they can split and fail. Mine was a cast iron Corvair box, they made both versions.

Here are a couple of pictures showing the u joint setup. You can get the u joint from Speedway that fits your box splines and has a 3/4 inch bore on the other end for a steering shaft. I heated and bent the steering arm to clear my wishbone.


Hope these help you out.

Don

SmallBlock Jimmy said:

Thank you very much Don!! Thats exactly what I was hoping to see! Did you file out the 4 wide splines in the pitman arm so you could move it to any spline location you choose? Also, did you drill out the end of the arm to fit a 1/2" or a 5/8" rod end? Thanks very much for the pics!!!

Click to expand...

Yep, I used a small triangle shaped file and cut the flat teeth out and made them look just like the others so I could index the shaft in a different position. The steering arm my Kid bought for his T bucket from Speedway has all teeth so you can move it anywhere without having to file them.

I drilled the tapered end out to 5/8 so that a standard rod end would work with a grade 8 bolt.

You're welcome.

Don

You were also asking about the column. Here is what I did.

Don

Awesome pics, Thanks a TON!!

I think Im going to need two u-joints so I can move the wheel to the right. Do I need two supports per piece of shaft? Im planning on using a spline joint at the box with the shaft angled to the right and then another joint then bringing the shaft straight to the wheel. I'll have a support at the wheel so Im guessing I'll need at least another support on that same shaft to hold it at both ends,eh? Are the u-joint intended to be welded to the shafts or is there another way to fasten them to the round shaft? Thanks again Don!!

My understanding is that you can use two ujoints without using a center support between them, but if you use three, you need to use one to keep it from jumping around.

I would use a solid mounting point at the top of your column, and one at the bottom where the shaft exits the firewall. Then you could use two u joints beyond that to get the angle you need.

I didn't want to weld mine because of the heat affecting the bearings inside, so I drilled a 5/16 hole all the way through the u joint shoulder and the shaft, and ran a 5/16 bolt through it. My Son hated me doing that and feared I weakened the shaft, but it is solid steel, so I think I am ok.

BTW, Speedway sells this flanged support that is perfect to use as a lower mount for your shaft. It can be adjusted up to a 30 degree angle too, and mounts real easy.

Don

don is that a marine engine that u are using

I was just asking if that was a BOAT motor in that hotrod, hoping he wasnt getting at something like the first Aquarod or something

Jim