Jim Stabe Jim Stabe San Diego, Ca (830 posts) Registered: 02/28/2009 10:01AM Main British Car: 1966 MGB Roadster 350 LT1 Chevy |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
Daniel - When my car was powered by a 215 Olds Jetfire I faced the same problem. I wanted the turbo to be under the stock hood with no bumps or scoops. The MGB has bump steer to begin with and lowering the rack just accentuates the problem. What I did was to narrow the rack so the inner tie rod pivots were in the same plane as the upper and lower A arm inner pivots, the upper A arm being the lever shock. I then swapped the steering arms and bent them so the tie rod ends would clear the wheel and the tie rods were parallel with the lower A arms. When I modified the steering arms I also removed the Ackerman and the result was substantially increased front end grip, The down side to no Ackerman is when making a U turn at full lock the inside tire would slide if the road surface was slippery (sandy or wet). With the rack narrowed and lower, the stock steering shaft wasn't pointed at the firewall penetration any more. I cut the shaft just above the rack and installed a second U joint and made a shaft to connect with the stock upper joint.
Sorry I don't have any pictures, all that work was done 45 years ago. |
ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1166 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
Quote:Find a RB front xmbr - that extra inch of height will allow the steering rack to fit between the damper and oil pan and keep your engine low enough to allow the stock hood to close. Both the CB or RB xmbr will require rework to add sump clearance. Whether you address the small bump steer issue is up to you but it's not a show stopper. As far as the quick ratio steering rack, MG did make a 2.92/1 ratio for a RB front xmbr - I assume that it came from a mid change year (74.5 or 75?) - I have one, so they do exist. A steering rack mount modification maybe necessary to get the rack shaft angle correct to mate to your steering column (and even a shaft length mod ). All doable, depending on how far you want to go to get a satisfactory result. |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
IIRC flaming river has a new product called a VDOG for helping with tight and/or difficult steering shaft angles when double universal joints may not be the answer or applicable. Could be pricey however
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MGB SS Joe Schafer Central Michigan (150 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 06:46AM Main British Car: 1971 Mgb 1991 5.0 Ford |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
I lowered my rack, swapped the steering knuckle (just part that the tie rod fits into, they bolt on) from side to side and have my tie rod ends pointing up. Tie rod arms sit perfectly flat. Couple of good picks of the rack and how it sits with the motor (5.0 Ford) in my: "How it was done" article.
[www.britishv8.org] Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/2019 08:51AM by MGBV8. |
ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1166 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
Quote:Assume you are referring to Paul Schils [www.britishv8.org] Looks like Paul has incorporated a second u-joint in the steering....you could send him a PM for specific details or see him in person at next week's show in Wytheville. |
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302GT Larry Shimp (244 posts) Registered: 11/17/2007 01:13PM Main British Car: 1968 MGB GT Ford 302 crate engine |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
Just to add some more options:
The new replacement steering racks are quick ratio for both chrome and rubber bumper cars. in fact, the ratio seems to be slightly faster: about 2.5 turns lock to lock. To lower a rubber bumper front suspension it is best to use drop spindles so as to retain full suspension travel. Available from: [www.mgbracing.com]. |
MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4571 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
And, IMO, that faster rack may not be a good thing. It will make the steering heavier & make the car twitchier at speed.
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302GT Larry Shimp (244 posts) Registered: 11/17/2007 01:13PM Main British Car: 1968 MGB GT Ford 302 crate engine |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
I now have one of these racks; always trying new stuff. The ratio is actually about 2.7 turns lock to lock. Steering is somewhat heavier than with a rubber bumper rack (3.5 turns lock to lock) but it is not unreasonable. I do have caster reduction wedges however.
Steering is very stable at speed which is mainly a function of the self-centering action caused by the caster angle. Even with reduced caster, centering action is still strong. This is indeed a viable option for those who want faster steering with a rubber bumper crossmember. |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
Im looking more to answer the question how he was able to use a chrome bumper crossmember and not have harmonic balancer/hood closure issues? I appreciate the information on the steering rack though.
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ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1166 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
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psmg Paul Schils Fredonia, WI (89 posts) Registered: 12/13/2007 10:27AM Main British Car: 1973 MGB-GT, Buick 215 1971 MGB RD, SBF 302 |
Re: 1974 Mgb Ford 302 swap Steering rack interference
Daniel, When I did my conversion I moved the steering rack 1/2" down and 1/2" forward to provide clearance for the harmonic balancer. After doing this, I had to have the steering arms bent to eliminate bump steer. Not a big deal if you have a GOOD alignment shop available that knows what they are doing. Makes a big difference. I'm including pics to show what I did.
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