Replacing rag joint with U-joint Question...

[Black P-38]

Looking to gain a little more header clearance on my '91 2wd V8 swap by replacing the rag joint with an aftermarket U-joint, anyone done this?

Is the manual steering box input shaft 3/4" - 36 spline?

Check out this trick U-joint...

Any pics would be great!

Thanks guys,
Mike

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Hey Mike, did you see the thread over on RPS about the Aerostar steering shaft?

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246444

 

[Black P-38]

I did see that... I had talked to a guy near here with a Bronco II awhile back who said he used an Aerostar U-joint to replace the rag joint. I was searching yesterday when I came across the thread, interesting stuff there.

In hopes of keeping things even more compact I kept searching and found the stainless unit pictured above.

I talked to the supplier today and was told the unit is 1 5/8" dia x 3 5/8" long.

Then I found this Flaming River Chromemoly unit...

Talked to a tech there and it's only 1 1/4" dia and 3 1/4" long so I think I'll go with this one. BTW, I pulled my intermediate shaft assembly and the input shaft on the steering box is 3/4"-30 spline. Both of the pictured U-joints are available in a 3/4"-30 x 3/4"DD configuration making installation a snap.

 

[f100guy]

I just put in Borgson u-joints and a double d shaft to give me extra clearance. 36 to dd on bottom and dd to dd on top.

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[Black P-38]

Thanks for posting the pic! Nice lookin' pieces there. So Ford must have changed the steering shaft spline after '92 from 3/4-30 to 3/4-36 or are the power steeing boxes just different from my '91 manual box?

Even with the extra clearance going to a u-joint I'll still need to do some custom work to get a header on the drivers side of the Rover V-8. I started doing some sectioning of a spare drivers side header yesterday to see if I can fab a custom header. I really want to use the factory tubes due to the size and quality materials so it matches the appearance and flow rate of the passenger side.

The Rover header for the passenger side requires only a small clearance to the upper frame rail and looks factory. I'm hoping to have time to do that clearancing today.

I have my spare aluminum Buick bare block sitting on the mounts along with a pair of bare aluminum heads for mock up purposes.

The block without main caps is only 67 pounds so I just set it on the core support then lifted it onto the motor mounts leaning over the front of the truck with the hood still on, gotta love that! The bare heads are 16 pounds each and can be placed on the block with one hand...

Mike