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Pre-War Steering box used in Pre-war?

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Jerry

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group,
I have a 36 Morris 8 and I am trying to figure out if the steering box was also used in early MG cars. More plentiful in the USA. I have a RHD car and may want to change it to LHD but would need a new steering box. It is mounted via 3 holes to the side of the frame and looks like many other British steering boxes. Anyone have a picture of a pre-war MG type?
Jerry
 
There was more than one type used prewar, and all were RHD so wouldn't be of use to convert to LHD. And I would guess in any case that the column length may not work for you due to the differences in car size. But, to see the different type here are some pages with exploded drawings showing them. Note I am not advocating or warning off from this vendor, just borrowing the pictures.

https://www.barrywalker.com/cat.asp?cat=11
https://www.barrywalker.com/cat.asp?cat=13
https://www.barrywalker.com/cat.asp?cat=12
https://www.barrywalker.com/cat.asp?cat=14
 
Nice drawings. Now I have to decide if the conversion is worth the work. This is not a car that will be driven that much, it tops out at 52mph. It might be easier to find a wreck and take the steering box. I can adjust the length with my lathe and it is easier to find a new steering wheel for an MG vs a Morris 8.

Jerry
 
Before buying anything, and as noted most if not all you'd find will be RHD as well, you need to measure the column length from where it exits the box to the end. I suspect you'll find it to be longer than the MG assemblies due to it being a sedan rather than sports. The SA/WA/VA version might be long enough or could be cut down, but they're probably difficult to find, and also still RHD.
 
Would it not be easier to convert to a rack system?
as far as I know, MG used the same style box on most prewar cars. I just saw a used one at Barry Walkers a few weeks ago.
 
It's a little out-of-the-box, but the rack idea might actually work if you want LHD.

There's a chassis mounted unit made by Unisteer that the hot rodders use with Ford solid axle setups. It mounts to the inner left frame rail and has a single drag link to the right spindle. The 28-32 Ford version has the shortest link, but that is easily modified. You would likely need to do some minor work to get a Morris end link to fit. One source is Speedway Motors but other stores carry it as well. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Unisteer-1928-32-Ford-Cross-Steer-Rack-and-Pinion,2033.html

91032245_L.jpg
A more conventional, common and compact box is the Chevy Vega unit, also available from Speedway. It's also very popular with the hot rod crowd because of it's small size and low cost. Either system, if you could fit it, would be a vast improvement over a Bishop cam steering box from a TC.

91032204_L.jpg
 
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