Dash Support
/ Steering Column & Linkage |
By Frank Colgoni
In a footnote to the previous article
dealing with the windshield installation, we mentioned that we
had removed the dash and lower dash support to gain access to the
under-dash area. Being welded in, the lower dash support prevented
removal of the dash.
We had
determined that a removeable dash / lower dash support would
not only facilitate windshield installation but also a number of
other components that were slated for the dash / under dash area:
heater, electrical components, hood release handles, switches,
column support, etc. It would also permit us to work in that area
with the support in place but without the dash in place.
To begin the process of making things removeable, the dash
panel was re-fastened to the cowl with screws and the lower dash
support, that we had cut out, was slipped in from behind.
The support
was then clamped to the dash and the whole assembly was clamped
to the body at each side. After examining the area behind the dash
at the far corners, our best solution would provide a mount for
the lower dash support and provide reinforcement
for the curved plate that anchors the lower windshield stanchion
(see previous article). |
The arrow indicates the weld residue where the lower dash support
tab had been welded. The square tube is part of the cowl structure.
At this point, the windshield stanchion mounts are complete and
the top of the curved plate is reinforced side-to-side (once again,
see previous article for details) |
A plate has been added by Dream Machines to the curved plate / top
of the square tube. It has been drilled to accept a bolt that will
be fed through the back side. The angle of the plate is critical
to align with the dash support. |
At each end of the dash support, a tapped tube was added to accept
the bolt previously mentioned. After test fitting, it will be
finish welded. |
This view from below shows the dash support bolted to the plate.
A spacer has been added to maintain fore/aft location. |
This is what the lower dash support looks like installed. It will
come out and go in many times before the car is done. |
With the dash support resolved, we could turn
our attention to determining column location / column selection.
Column selection, like most everything else, is a matter of personal
taste, theme and function. There's lots of choice out there
from columns with no tilt / no signals / no horn wiring to full-featured
columns with tilt, a telescopic function and column shift.
And, you can get them in paintable steel, brushed and polished
aluminum and chrome plated. If you're looking for a column, check out www.ididit.com.
They've been manfacturing columns and winning awards for their contribution
to rodding since the early 80's. While at their site, check out the "History
of ididit inc." for the story behind the company name. |
To begin the location process a steering wheel with the same dimensions
as our actual wheel/hub (diameter
and depth) was attached to a length of rod. While
seated in the car, we were aiming to locate the tip of the
rod where it would go through the firewall. We were looking
to establish a pilot hole at this point.
It should also be noted that we had our seat frame and seat foam
in place when we decided on column length, exit position on the
firewall, the amount that the column would protrude and drop (from
the dash). |
|
After a considerable amount of positioning, repositioning and discussion,
a hole was drilled. Seem high on the firewall? Read on. |
John at Dream Machines then simulated the route
of the steering linkage in considerable detail
to ensure that the geometry would work from this height and side-to-side
position. This was done before finally committing to the location
where the column would exit.
It was decided that this would work and a materials list was
developed for the linkage. We specified unpolished stainless for
these parts: - Borgeson 1" DD input
to a 3/4" DD output vibration reducer
/ u-joint in - 154952
- Borgeson support bearing - RODEND-SS
- Borgeson ¾" joint - SS16N-7DDX7DD
- Borgeson ¾" to
splined joint (for steering box) - SS16N-7DDx636
- Straight shafting would be fabricated by Dream Machines Ltd.
Regarding the actual column, we decided on a paintable column with
tilt. The reason for the tilt was to provide for variable driving
positions and to ease entry and exit from the car. In terms of length,
we settled on a 28" column (ididit # 1120280010).
If your first
impression is that 28" seems short for a '32 application, it may
be if the column exits low on the firewall. To maximize foot room
in our roadster, the exit position was moved up the firewall. This
accounts for the shorter length. |
|
We chose a Mullins 7" open column drop (913207) to hang the column. |
In preparation for hanging the column, everything was assembled. |
The correct diameter hole was opened up in the firewall. It was subsequently
bevelled after column drop was re-established. |
In the car, the assembly was positioned using a temporary strap that
was attched to the column with a radiator hose clamp. We had already
established a height using our dummy setup. We confirmed it at
this stage. |
This is a detail shot of the bracket for the column drop. Dream Machines
added "ears" to the end of the bracket which act as gussets. |
With the column in place and supported, attention could be turned
to the linkage once again. In this photo, some dummy shafting is
being used to establish the final positioning of the support bearing
and the bearing bracket fabricated by John. The arrow indicates
a small wooden wedge acting as a spacer between the shaft and header
tube. |
After final positioning was determined, two shafts were cut. John
is preparing to "D" the shaft on the mill. The photo below shows
the result. |
|
With shafts fabricated, the linkage assembly was installed and the
support bearing bracket was tacked into position. |
To complete the installation, a lower column mount was added. To
facilitate this, and to avoid bolting through the firewall,
a removeable transverse rectangular tube was added between the
cowl steel uprights and a bracket added to the column. |
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Next Up - Dash / Gauges |
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