And gear is bolted. I think same gear used in Cadillac Catera.




Steering axle and shaftpipe was shortened and bolted in place. I still have to make lower fastening point between the pipe and firewall.



Hyvinkää, FI

Here is that Opel gear in place. Pitman arm was about one millimeter tight, but after two hours hard filing it fits fine. Gear can be bolted without adapter plates.
Steering shaft is still in progress but it looks no hard job.

Steering will be more faster (5 rounds to 3,75 rounds) and it is power steering.

Hyvinkää, FI

Bill,

I've been told that these are different and was given the options shown on an earlier post.

A tip I got of one of the hot rod forums. I'll check out one of the hot rod places that specialise in building steering componentry. That way they can do the xraying and certification required.

cheers

Warren Adams

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

Warren, i used it on 64 65 T Birds, i,m guessing you havent offered it up on chassis yet to see how pitman arm goes, check if splines are same as cusso? regards bill

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Bill,

So you recognise this box from your previous conversions? If you do it gives me some of piece of mind. what were you using for pitman arms?

regards

Warren

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

Larry: The outside the column horn feed wasn't just a G. M. design. Fords from 1958 on use a similar setup, c/w recirculating ball bearing inards in the box. A complete 58 column setup can be converted to a 57 car, but I don't know if it would work without substantial mods on a 1956.

Paul

Warren, yes previously that great compact long sector box was in the old toyota cressidas and crown, i used them to convert 65 T bird to RHD, they are long gone so good to know they are in something more available here. I like the plate bolted to s/box, i had seen some similar adaption offered but plate was welded to box and that makes me nervous.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Omega's steering gear what is used by some local early Mustang folk. Those say that is better than the Flaming River gear. Looks like same size, but needs adapter plate, modding some headers and stuff. Biggest mystery is gonna be adapting the pitman arm.






Hyvinkää, FI

Larry, I have. In my '56 Merc M100 with the Toyota steering box. I made two copper plates attached to 1/16" (or 1/8" I can't remember) ABS plastic. They sit above the signal switch. One plate is connected to the horn lead that enters the steering column along with the signal light wires. The upper plate is wired to the steering wheel adapter where the horn button contacts it. I have an after market steering wheel and I had to remove a bit of material on the underside of the adapter to make room. I also had to attach some tabs to the bell on the steering column and some notches in the lower abs plate to keep it from turning. I am installing the Borgeson power box on my '55 Fairlane and I will do the same thing. I plan to use the stock steering wheel and may have to remove some material on the under side of it to make room. If you are interested I can take the one on the pick up it apart and take some pictures.

Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

Hello Larry! You might want to look at the "Unisteer" rack and pinion kit fror 55-56 Ford Cars.They have a horn wire connection that uses the original top half of the steering column.Might give you an idea how to use the original horn wire.Unisteer has a website.