C1 Steering, retrofit?

[Karl #35089]

I am helping a friend with a '56 basket. He is missing steering box, 3rd arm, etc. I thought I'd seen a rack system offered somewhere. This car will never be judged and I'm thinking he could save some money & improve steering at the same time.

Any experience w/ a rack retrofit? Who markets them? Are we better off buying original parts & rebuilding? Any comments appreciated. -Karl

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Steering, retrofit?

Don't think there are any kits around. I have seen a few conversions. It is necessary to cut the steering column and add a bearing at the firewall. Adding the R&P is just a matter of welding it in. It will take about three shafts and u-joints to get hooked up to the R&P. No good way to put a PS pump on a C1 unless you add motor mounts to the side or use a concealed electric PS pump from a ricer.

[Karl #35089]

Re: C1 Steering, retrofit?

Thanks Ed. I coulda swore I saw a kit but couldn't find it in any of my sources so maybe it was for an IRS frame. Looks like we'll be doing C1 steering gear. Thanks again... -k

[John M.]

Re: C1 Steering, retrofit?

Karl,
There are several replacement crossmembers that use Mustang II front suspension and rack and pinion. Heidt's, TCI, Fatman, and Art Morrison come to mind. Any of these setups will cost way more then returning the original front suspension to the car, and will reduce thw value of an otherwise correct car. There are however a lot of people doing this to cars which will never be judged or are missing too many parts to be correct. There is no doubt that such front suspensions will make a dramatic improvement in the handling of these old cars, It is just a matter of making an informed decision.

Regards, John McGraw

[Dave Suesz]

I have slight experience...

With Mustang conversions. The best of them are better that original, others aren't even equal to original, having -larger- turning radius. Not to mention tracking down repair parts the first time it needs something. Either way, it'll cost as much or more as replacing the original, just for a manual rack. I'd go original.

[Karl #35089]

Re: I have slight experience...

John & Dave: yeah, I remember the Mustang II stuff from the old streetrod days. We won't be doing that. Really we don't want to depart too far from original (for all the reasons mentioned) and will use the original front suspension that came with the pile. The only reason I considered a rack is that the guy is missing all the steering parts and I thought there might be a bolt-in. No problem -- we'll just track down some C1 cores and go from there. Thanks again guys, Karl

[Ed Jennings]

Re: I have slight experience...

Unlike the bolt in conversions for the C2/3, there is a lot of fabrication involved in doing a C1. The biggest drawback, as I see it, is the modification necessary to the steering column. It is pretty much irreversable and very obvious when you open the hood. (If that matters to you.) Flaming River is producing C1 steering colums, not an exact repo, but rather a replacement. They are pretty reasonable for the mild steel version, if you wanted something to cut up instead of the original.

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 Steering, retrofit?

You might think about putting a 58-62 column in--it is about 2" shorter, installs easier, and gives more room for anyone of any height or girth. Feel free to contact me at mikeerns@wi.rr.com if you have questions--I also know where to find either column more reasonably than from a dealer. Mike Ernst

[Michael H.]

Re: C1 Steering, retrofit?

Hey Karl -

I just installed a rack and pinion steering system I designed myself in my 1963 convertible. Send me an e-mail and I'll reply with a photo.