Topic: Steering Box Interchangeability for 1965, 66 & 67

[Building 3]

Are the HCC steering boxes used in 1965 and 1966 MY interchangeable with the 1967 SMB boxes? Thanks for any info.

[drummingrocks]

Tom, keep in mind that '67 was the running change from the fixed shaft steering box to the rag-joint setup.  An early '67 will have a solid shaft all the way from the box to the steering wheel, just like a '65-66.  But a later '67 will have a shorter shaft that connects to the steering box via a rag joint.

[Building 3]

Yes, and thanks for confirming that the early 1967's were just like the earlier years.  I know Ford changed the column sometime in 1967 but I did not know when.  The reason I ask is that my box needs rebuilding. There is a lot of free-play in the steering wheel--probably 2-3" on each side from the center position, and it does not return to center after a turn.  The rebuild shop is backed up with work but knows of a 1967 box that has already been rebuilt and it is priced at only a bit more than what a rebuild would cost me.  So I can have that one tomorrow and not wait for weeks to get mine back. But I was worried about the interchangeability.  The shop is certain that this one is an early one and would be a "plug & play" so to speak. Of course I will check it out before I purchase it but I did not want to waste my time if it was not going to work. Appreciate the help!

[J_Speegle]

Besides the long and short input shaft there are two different sized sector shafts originally used on 67 Mustang application. With power steering and non-PS boxes there are eight different possible combinations for just the short input boxes that years according to the exchange manuals wrecking yards used for years (and still do) to sell parts that will work and fit.

Unfortunately the new versions of the Hollander books not longer include the steering box tag numbers in the descriptions like they did in the past and only go by physical features. Between the 65 & 66 boxes and all the 67 versions (long/short input and big/small sectors) there are 19 different possibilities if you want the same gear ratios and features in a replacement. The information takes two pretty full pages for all the specs and descriptions

You'll have to choose if an acceptable replacement with a different ratio is ok since it expands the possible choices

[Building 3]

Wow, that is a lot more complex than I thought.  What I do know is that both boxes are the long column and the 1" sector diameter. And I am told that the 67 "looks the same" on the outside as the '66.  Mine is a '66 and the box available is for a '67.  What other info should I ask for? Thanks.

[drummingrocks]

I would give Dan at Chockostang a call.  He has forgotten more about steering boxes than most of us will ever know.  He's a very nice guy to deal with, and can probably has the box you need.  http://www.chockostangclassicmustang.com/

[J_Speegle]

Wow, that is a lot more complex than I thought.  What I do know is that both boxes are the long column and the 1" sector diameter. And I am told that the 67 "looks the same" on the outside as the '66.  Mine is a '66 and the box available is for a '67.  What other info should I ask for? Thanks.

If your just getting something to pass then the length of the input and sector size is pretty good. Next would be the ratio so tag information would likely provide you with clues to that third thing

[GT500KR]

 For what it's worth, my April 64 coupe (a 68k mile car that I've had since 1979) has the P/S box with manual steering. The car also had the bracket installed for the hydraulics on the left frame rail, with no witness marks that would indicate that anything was attached to it. It also has assembly line style manual tie rods, and no evidence of the power steering pump ever being there.

 My theory is that the worker that installed the box and bracket were one and the same, since they are in close proximity. Production being fast and furious in those early days, it was probably an easy mistake to make. Ford never saw fit to change it or remove the bracket, if they even noticed.

 That being said, the manual and power box seems like they can be interchanged.

[Building 3]

Thanks everyone for the input. I will call Dan to get his opinion.  This has been quite helpful.

[mtinkham]

I wanted to follow-up on the running change of the long shaft steering box.  I am working on a Metuchen 67 coupe - the build sheet list a scheduled date of 13U, which I decode to be 7/13/67.  This car has the long solid shaft steering box.

Although I can not confirm originality of this steering box, is there any chance a long solid shaft steering box could have been installed on such a late car at Metuchen?

Thanks,
Mark

[drummingrocks]

I wanted to follow-up on the running change of the long shaft steering box.  I am working on a Metuchen 67 coupe - the build sheet list a scheduled date of 13U, which I decode to be 7/13/67.  This car has the long solid shaft steering box.

Although I can not confirm originality of this steering box, is there any chance a long solid shaft steering box could have been installed on such a late car at Metuchen?

Thanks,
Mark

That's interesting that your question came up when it did.  I just got the latest issue of Mustang Monthly, and in one of the question and answer columns, someone asked about steering boxes.  If I'm interpreting it correctly, there was a period towards the end of the '67 MY when they did use solid shaft boxes again.  I'm going off of memory, since I don't have the magazine here with me.

[Bob Gaines]

That's interesting that your question came up when it did.  I just got the latest issue of Mustang Monthly, and in one of the question and answer columns, someone asked about steering boxes.  If I'm interpreting it correctly, there was a period towards the end of the '67 MY when they did use solid shaft boxes again.  I'm going off of memory, since I don't have the magazine here with me.

The 67 bigblock Mustangs had the rag joint from the get go. The SB were the ones with the soild shaft, I believe the MPC shows gives around a May change overdate to the rag joint box for all models.

[rocket289k]

That's interesting that your question came up when it did.  I just got the latest issue of Mustang Monthly, and in one of the question and answer columns, someone asked about steering boxes.  If I'm interpreting it correctly, there was a period towards the end of the '67 MY when they did use solid shaft boxes again.  I'm going off of memory, since I don't have the magazine here with me.

Here's the article mentioned above

Ron

[mtinkham]

Thank you...the July build coupe is a SB and everything looks original...but you know how looks can deceive.  Thank you for the referenced article.