Thread: American Graffiti Coupe, My Version

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OK Rodger, The second picture was deleted above. Going into edit mode did not provide a path to Advanced mode but I was able to carefully remove the first ATTACH[ ] part of the picture and it worked. I am not a youngster anymore and i have had time to accumulate a few cases where I either over tightened a bolt or did not tighten it enough and now have a healthy respect for a torque wrench. I still have not found the series of comments with Tech1 back around 2006 when I was installing the steering column but he pronounced the through bolt "good" and that was comforting enough for me. Fortunately I do not have any clearance issue with either side of the bolt on the shaft of both U-joints. Over the course of construction of my roadster I also gained a respect for the newer lock nuts compared to the old helical lock washers.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

I've used the DD u-joint in the past on our race car, I have no problem just sinking the set screw into the shaft.

My next question is the length of the shaft from the firewall to the steering unit. Is it to long to go with out a support in the middle? Can anyone post pictures of theirs? I will not have any header clearance issues because they will run on the outside of the frame rail and down the side of the car.

Originally Posted by racerx1699

I've used the DD u-joint in the past on our race car, I have no problem just sinking the set screw into the shaft.

My next question is the length of the shaft from the firewall to the steering unit. Is it to long to go with out a support in the middle? Can anyone post pictures of theirs? I will not have any header clearance issues because they will run on the outside of the frame rail and down the side of the car.

Donnie, the only time you need an intermediate support is if you have to use a third u-joint for clearance. If you only have one at the bottom of the column and a second one at the steering box input shaft then a straight, unsupported piece of either 3/4" or 1" DD shaft is more than stiff enough. The one I'm working on now has a 1" DD column output, and the MII rack is 9/16x26 positioned out away from the frame and pointing towards the motor mount. There is no way to connect it with only two joints, so from the rack it will have a nominal 8" long 3/4"DD shaft running over to an intermediate 3/4"DD u-joint connected to a nominal 15" 3/4DD running through a 3/4" heim joint, up to a 3/4"DD to 1"DD to connect to the column. My '33 running the Vega box has a single 3/4"DD from column to box with u-joints at each end.

You're using a Unisteer, and if it's the "Street/HotRod" version that bolts to the frame like a Vega box like this

Street&HotRod Unisteer.jpg

then you will only need two joints and one connecting shaft.

Originally Posted by racerx1699

......My next question is the length of the shaft from the firewall to the steering unit. Is it to long to go with out a support in the middle? Can anyone post pictures of theirs? I will not have any header clearance issues because they will run on the outside of the frame rail and down the side of the car.

Its not a Unisteer but the setup would be the same. I had to rework my steering when I switched from roadster headers to these block huggers. Required a center "U" joint. Whenever you use one you NEED a support bearing and it needs to be as close to the center "U" joint as possible. Other than that its really a piece of cake.

Salute to American Graffiti car show is coming up on the 17th of May in Petaluma!

Installed the motor and transmission today. Now I'm ready to work on steering column, throttle linkage, transmission linkage.

car-motor.JPGcar motor 2.JPG

Looks great! Ford in a Ford does my heart good!

Very nice work. I love the look of the engine. I also like the hiboy stance. You should have room for most of the things I don't.

(BTW, don't ask me to change your oil filter . . . )

The oil filter you'll need is the WIX 51335 or NAPA Gold 1335 - Wix 51335 & Napa 1335 Oil Filter: FleetFilter Secure Online Store It's either that or put on a remote filter with all of the tube joints.

Roger, I got the wix filter, so now I can ask Jack to change them.

This may be a dumb question, is the front I beam strong enough to jack the front end from and put jack stand on each end?

Originally Posted by racerx1699

This may be a dumb question, is the front I beam strong enough to jack the front end from and put jack stand on each end?

Rest easy, Donnie. The axle is supporting the full weight of the vehicle front end now as it sits on the ground, so you can put a floor jack under the center to lift the whole thing evenly, or under either side to place a jack stand either under the axle or under the frame.

Apologies if my suggestion didn't fit this application, I just seem to remember knocking out big fat rollpins when working on stock steering assemblies.

No apologies necessary EG, I look forward to everyone's ideas.

Thanks Roger, I'll be putting it up tonight, I got my center section today for the rear end.

Great progress on your coupe!

I'll be thinking about you today while attending our Salute to American Graffiti days right here in Petaluma, where it was originally filmed! Such a cool car your making!