pflaming Posted May 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I'm certain many are aware of this: if you put for example " '52 B3B steering gearbox" into google it will take you to the threads in this forum, fast way to search. There is a permanent mount on the tube where the shifter mechanism is mounted. That mount broke loose from my tube so today I pulled the steering gear tube, et al. Be informed, the floor board must come out to remove said item. I put a large puller on the pitman arm and could not get it to come off so had to go out with that on, now that was tricky. But the deed is done, now to fix that mount. Oh the joys of repair. Since it is out, will replace the stock spline with one that will allow me to use a newer steering wheel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ194950 Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 Changing the # of spline/size? Most likely a can of worms! Could be very difficult for such a frugal person. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 Why do you want a newer steering wheel? Newer steering wheels are smaller and will require more arm strength to turn. Is your daughter a weight lifter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted May 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 (edited) I'm going to use a steering wheel out of a 53/54 Plymouth. It is the same size but the spokes are a T pattern while the OE spokes are a Y pattern. The T pattern, IMO looks better with this dash which is a horizontal layout. A bit of personal taste. Edited June 24, 2018 by pflaming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 (edited) Paul, no need to pull the whole steering box to get the outer tube off. There is a clamp at the bottom of that tube that you loosen ( I can see it in the picture) and just pull the tube up and off after removing the steering wheel of course and bracket on the dash holding it in place. How are you going to replace the stock spline so you can put on a car steering wheel? I imagine the spline is smaller in diameter for one thing and for another the original spline is part of the steering tube that is pressed on to the worm in the steering box. To change everything over means taking your steering box apart completely which is opening a can of worms you may not want to. Unless the tubes are the same diameter how would you use the original worm gear? Only other way to do it is cut the spline ends off the two tubes and weld everything but they are likely different diameters. I would never use that approach as I think it would be courting disaster. You like the original patina on your truck so why would you change the original steering wheel anyway?? Much better to stick with what you have. My two nickels worth as we no longer use cents in Canada. Unless it's common cents (sense). Edited May 15, 2015 by RobertKB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted May 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 (edited) "I would never use that approach as I think it would be courting disaster." I appreciate your concern. A close friend has been building/modifying cars all his life. I consulted him and he is going to change the spline on the top of the shaft. I have one that fits the car wheel. He is going mill a sleave to fit the two ends, slip it over the shaft, weld the two ends together, clean the weld, then slide the sleave up and weld it to the shafts as well. Then put a pair of pins through all. I'll post a picture when it's done. This way I do not have to pull the shaft form the steering gear. As described, it will be very safe. Edit: Darkrider: I will not be welding anything. My retired machinist / packaging machinery engineer will do all that yet thanks for your concern. Edited May 16, 2015 by pflaming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkrider Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Phew!...finally got a chance to read this thread all the way through....Quite the adventure going from start to finish on this thing...But i agree with the others...Open flame in your hands paul? no bueno! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Paul; Maybe it is just me? but this seems a bit drastic for a cosmetic change that is not even correct for the truck. I could maybe see it if you were keeping it......but since you are passing it along it is just going to make it harder for someone to save in the future. Just my opinion for what it is worth. Jeff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ194950 Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) Paul- going back to the shaft cut/change/weld/pin If your friend drills holes to add pins top and bottom of sleeve and pass thru the shaft pieces-- how will the horn wire get through the hole in the shaft to exit the steer box?? Add one of those plastic topped buttons on the column tube? Edit-add- Paul I guess I should add the pins are a good Safety add on idea if there is still room to get the horn wire through the hole the the steer tube. Edited May 18, 2015 by DJ194950 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconvan Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Looking great, Paul! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrampSteer Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Hey Paul, how does the bearing assembly at the top of the steering look? I've heard they dry up and can make the whole system sticky. I know you've said yours drives well so I am curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Mine is very clean and no wobble, with the wheel off easy to lube if needed. But oil and grease collect debri so . . . I cut off the top of my shaft and welded a different spline for a different wheel, so now I cannt replace my bearing should it fail. One of the tricky issues when one "modifies"!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted October 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 (edited) Just found this original patina truck. Maybe I made a mistake by cleaning it so much. Then I saw this painted truck, now this is cool, love those fender skirts! attachment=56750:image.jpg] Edited June 24, 2018 by pflaming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruff1148kr Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 nice never seen the skirts before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 hope to never see the skirts again...pleez..it is a truck..the red wheels visor is horrible look enough as it is ....I would however like to see what other mods were done with the door handle a tip off to that fact... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted October 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Tim, Tim, Tim! Lord o mercy it's painted!!! AND has soccer mom red rims! Palin's hunting truck to bring moose home in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 (edited) no Moose, including an inebriated Bulwinkle will get anywhere near a vehicle with ho red wheels.....just not going to happen...nature, unlike humans, has a sense of class and taste beyond our so called call brilliant minds....I have to ask...how many moose are running around in the neighborhood..I dare say none, why, the red wheels man..the red wheels.....lose the read wheels why you still drawing breath...that way the kids won't being asking mom, what kind of drugs did the doctors have granddad on? Edited October 22, 2015 by Plymouthy Adams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ194950 Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Heck I kind of like the "look", with the exception of the industrial looking door handles! Paul likes something with paint! Hey it's a start! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Heck I kind of like the "look", with the exception of the industrial looking door handles! Paul likes something with paint! Hey it's a start! The crap rod? Personally I don't understand ruining such a nice piece of art with the amateur hack job that that is. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Aint nothing French about a pilothouse even with skirts, whorehouse headlights, and red panty wheels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Aint nothing French about a pilothouse even with skirts, whorehouse headlights, and red panty wheels. Really?.....Well I call my truck Beaudreaux and it has burgundy colored wheels. I like em with the cream paint job. If it ticks certain folks off........I have to consider that a plus. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted October 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Jeff, the difference between gaudy and sophisticated is a fine one. Your is the latter. I like what you did. I'm would guess most do what I did yesterday. To change the points and condenser, I pulled the dizzy and changed parts on the work bench. I lost my feeler gauges in the fire so I used a match book cover. Engine started on the first revolution. Great sound when they start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Thanks Paul.... .....but can't you afford to replace the feeler gauges? There will come a day when the matchbook won't cut it anymore. Besides you have been warned to stay away from incendiary devices. Jeff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 I lost my feeler gauges in the fire The fire was how many years ago? You only had one set of feeler gauges? Time for you to MAN-UP and buy the tools you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 I agree with the guys here. When I was tinkering with my truck last weekend I didn't have my feeler gauges handy, so I went to the local True Value store and purchased another set. Problem solved. They weren't the good longer, bent, ones that I like to use for setting valves, but they worked. They're not that expensive. Merle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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