Thread: Starting the new build 32 Coupe

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Nice work on getting the frame primed! Your coupe is taking shape nicely!

Okay,,, need some more input. I'm wanting to maybe install the steering column. Thing is, when I put it at an angle that looks okay to me the drop would have to be 12 inches long to hold it lol. Would ya'll send links are post pictures of your installs so I have a few points of refference. I'm really only interested in 32 Coupe installs.
Another thing is I read where the max angle of the coupling should not exceed 30 degrees.

Okay folks fill me in lol

You'll find that most Fords from '28 to '34 can have the same issue you're having in getting to that Vega box. Much of the time, you'l need an intermediate U-joint and support bearing. This photo is in my '34, but the concept is very similar for the '32.

Steering.JPG

Have built over 100 32's in my day and never had 2 use and intermediate shaft and support collar. Trick is get the column 4/5 inches thru the firewall then it's a straight shot to the Vega box, with 1 u-joint (Max 34 degrees BTW) Drill hole in floor board just above toe board area. Most drill the hole to high on the firewall creating the angle problem.
Same goes for 33/34.

Again there are lots of variables so what others have done may not exactly replicate your situation. Most of those variables are not body to frame placement related but rather have to do with column length, engine height, header type, pedals, etc. Looking at your frame prep pics it appears that your steering box is mounted slightly lower than I usually see (not necessarily a negative), which means access could be better (or just different) than what Jack showed, or what I'm going to post here.

On my roadster the drop is about 5 1/2" to center of steering column shaft. Neither steering joint is near 30 degrees so my drop could even be shorter. It is where it is to work with the low seating height to stay below the chopped w/s top .

Just finished this and delivered to trim shop this am, it's and N&N 3 window just like the OP's, no problem with header clearance and no intermediate shaft.Look how far the column sticks thru the firewall and where.

I want to thank all you guy's for posting these photos. Has helped a bunch. I'm trying not to really over think this LOL. When I was putting the eye to it I was also sitting on the floor and didn't' think about seat height. I just kept looking at the angle it was taking to get the steering wheel facing me flat on which I don't think is possible. It's gonna have somewhat of a tilt (I think) even though the column itself is the tilt style. Might not be a big deal.

Talked with Duane and he said to measure 4 inches up from the seem where the firewall and floor/toe meet, then however far I'd like it from the brake peddle arm. I'm thinking about 1 3/4" which it looks like where DA34 has his. Maybe I'll take a shoe and set it in there as a guide sort of.

DA34,,, your body is channeled a little and mine is not,,,, did you punch the hole 4 inches up from the floor/toe seem??? Also,,, is your drop a 6 inch or 5 1/2",,, I've only found 5 1/2" so far.

The steering column is an IDIDIT 30 or 31 inch,,, can't remember which length but I purchased it thru N&N and Duane got the one he uses on all his builds.

The headers are Flowtech Rams horn which have a higher arch to them than other brands. Having looked at Bob's pix and seeing the generator I'm hoping that a standard alternator will not hit the exhaust. I need to find that out quick because I only have 60 days to return them. May mess with it this weekend IF I can find a mount setup in time.

I plan on running AC and heat so the pump will be on the passenger side.

I'll get some pix posted soon as I can and before I punch that danged hole for ya'll to review. Unless I get antsy and cut it anyways

Oh yea,,, love that 3 deuce setup ya got there but where did you get those tall stacks for the carbs??? I'm running 3 deuces also,,, at least for the moment,,,, if I can't get it to idle without some choke they are coming off. I think the idle screw holes need to be drilled out just a tad.
HotRodN

Hey DA34,,, send me the info on those tires and wheels,,,, I like um ))

Finally got the hole cut and trimmed out,,,, take a look and let me know if you see anything glaring out. Took me 4 hours to get it in but at least there is a hole. Still have to finish he upper mount install as it's only clamped in place now until I make a dummy wheel (probably a board with a hole in the center) to check distance from the door panel clearance.

This is my second attempt to post pictures,,, the first time didn't work (

Okay so it's sticking out about 4 inches at the moment. I left it up high in case I needed to move it down some. Nothing is permanent except the hole LOL. From the way it looks I don't think I'm beyond the 34 degree max angle but I haven't actually measured it with a protractor.

Looks good from my house! It's really difficult to gauge an angle in a picture but, it doesn't appear to be to bad .. and of course as you raise or lower the column, the angle will change again.

I'd suggest that you don't go too far without getting your seat in place, or at a minimum a stack of boards equal to your final seat thickness to sit on and gauge what column drop works best for you. As for the hole being permanent, you can easily glass it closed and drill another in a better position if you find it necessary. A neat way to anchor the bottom of the column and give it a finished look is to buy a cheap chrome tailpipe extension with a rolled end, slide it over your column and mark the angle inside the floor once your drop is finalized. Cut it off, weld on a pair of tabs and bolt it to the firewall. The column bottoms against the rolled end, and the bolted pipe secures the bottom just fine. One of Duane's little tips.

Originally Posted by HotRodN

Hey DA34,,, send me the info on those tires and wheels,,,, I like um ))

The rears are Rear are 285 70 15 Goodrich T/A. They're no longer available, except through Coker re-pops, and I wouldn't have a pair of those on any car.

Another option is an Ididit floor mount for the steering column. You can use the SWIVEL BALL FLOOR MOUNT SHOWN HERE. It's more expensive than Roger's suggestion, but it's very nice. Other companies make similar products.