Thread: How to reverse a Vega Steering Box?

Tweet

I have a fenderless 29 Roadster pick-up that I am building and I would liek to run side steering for that vintage look. I have a Vega steering box already and was wondering if anyone knew how to reverse a Vega box. I know it can be done as Mullins sells them. I am not in the financial position to be able to spend $450 on a steering box. Can anyone help me out? Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure I can explain it well enough without pictures, but I'll try. I have done this a few times. It is the same proceedure as reversing the old Corvair boxes.

Clamp the box in a vise. Loosen the sector shaft adjusting screw slightly (That's the screw with the locking nut on the side of the box opposite the pittman arm). Unscrew the cap off the big end off the box (I always used a large pair of channel-locks, a pipe wrench will work, too). Carefully screw the worm shaft out through the open end. Hopefully there is enough grease in the box to hold all the recirculating balls in place. Now flip the worm shaft end-for-end and screw it back in place. Everything should look pretty much the same as before except the input end of the worm shaft is sticking out the big end. Next you will need to drill the cap so that the shaft can pass through it and it will need a grease seal. If you can get the original seal out of the other end without damaging it, you might be able to reuse it. Otherwise, you will need a new one. If your local parts house isn't helpful, try a lawnmower shop. The end that has the original hole will need to be plugged with a small freeze-plug so the box will retain its grease. After you screw the cap back on and tighten it, adjust the sector shaft adjusting screw to remove excess play from the box, tighten the lock nut and you're done. The box will now work backwards from before, so you can mount it with the pittman arm hanging down instead of pointing up. Good luck.

Thank you for the info. I knew some one could tell me. Now the question is, am I brave enough to try it on a freshly rebuilt box??

I will have to ponder that one before I start cutting holes in it.

Originally posted by itsaposcj5

Now the question is, am I brave enough to try it on a freshly rebuilt box??

Drink a six pack of beer first....

Daver.

If you can find an early Mustang steering box, they will work perfect for your application without any modification. Vega steering boxes are in high demand by the street rodding crowd, who all want them for cross-steer applications. Sell the Vega box and buy an early Mustang box, and save yourself a headache.

Well, the advice that brianrupnow gave you might be a good idea... However, if you use a Mustang box (or Maverick) the pittman arm must point up. Another alternative is the Ford Ranger Pickup box which already works backward of the Vega and can be mounted with the pittman arm pointng down. The problem with the Ranger box in the way it mounts...

To answer your question you sent me separately, I can't remember exactly what the inside of the box looks like and don't have one that I can take apart to look at. What I do remember is that the bearings end up being located in the same place as before IN REFERENCE TO THE INPUT SHAFT. In other words, if there was a bearing under the bottom of the shaft when it was in the upright position, it will have to move with the shaft so that it is still under the shaft after it's reversed.

I wish I had a box here so I could take it apart and take pictures. I tried to answer your message direct, but couldn't get it to work.

Thank you for the info. I appreciate the help. I might look into the Ranger box.

If you'd like to sell the Vega box send me an email with a price. I'm also a Model A guy.
Grady
rgwilson@sbcglobal.net