1965 falcon

[Bryce]

Here are some pictures of the steering column I built about 8 years ago. It started out as a full length column, now its about a foot long. It is an aluminum tube with 1.5" OD and has a flange welded to it to mount the stock horn and blinker and the upper bearing for the steering shaft.







Here is my 5 bolt to 3 bolt adapter. I like aluminum and I did not like the grant piece and how far it extended the steering wheel.

[Bryce]

This is the modified column; it has a bearing in the end of it to support the lower part of the stock shaft.





The pillow block mounts to the stock steering column support. The shaft collars are there for extra support.

I also cut down the blinker switch because I actually hit it while autocrossing.

[Bryce]

The car had to come apart to get the stock box out. I even cut the shaft in half to help facilitate the removal.



I had to lift the motor up and move it over to get the headers out.



Not bad for 10 years in the car. The hooker super comps fit great but even with my solid motor mounts I was making contact with the old steering box.



Because I pulled the headers I had to get new inserts for my earls header gaskets. These carbon inserts work great!

[Bryce]

After lots of research and some luck at the Big 3 swap meet, I found my new steering box. I could have used my original since it only has 50K miles on it, but it was 19:1 and I have a 65 mustang box that is 16:1 ratio and in good condition, but I would have had to spline the shaft and really did not want to disassemble the box. So I found a rebuilt 67 mustang box 16:1 ratio and it has a 3/4-36 spline. This is the same as my steering quickener and will make this install a lot easier. I will put a u-joint right on the input to the box.



The box is exactly the same case as my 65 falcon box. Since I had header to box contact I decided to take the opportunity to modify the box for extra clearance. I rounded the area where it hit the headers.



I then painted it with my favorite, hammer tone gold! All of my suspension is painted this color so why not.

Its hard to get a picture of the box installed.


I will be changing out the fasteners to something more visually appealing.

[Bryce]

Here you can see the stock hole in the firewall.


This plate will cover the hole and mount the intermediate shaft support.





The steering shaft support has a spherical bearing with 25* of misalignment. I bent the plate slightly to accomodate the contours in the firewall. I will get some final pictures later.

Here are the pictures of my bracket for the quickener. It will mount the quickener and two pillow blocks for the steering column. This should end up have very little flex.

It started out as 4x4x1/4 square tube. I love the IMS scrap pile.





Its amazing what you can do with a wood cutting bandsaw and an aluminum blade.

Here are some installed pictures. I only have one of the pillow blocks installed. And the quickener is not installed either. I still need to cut and spline the original steering shaft.

[Ron in SoCal]

Impressive Bryce! Making your own steering column set-up is very cool. 3/4" x 36 is a standard size, too...

[waynieZ]

Nice work Bryce, Very ingenious.

[Bryce]

Thanks guys.

[Bryce]

updated pictures from the steering install:

[waynieZ]

It looks good all installed. Nice work.