Installing a steering column in a 33 Ford Coupe

This is what it looks like now that the two lengths are in place. The next thing that has to be done is to make a steering shaft support. The rule is if you have more than two U-joints, you have to use a support. If you have more than three U-joints, add another support. I'll be making my supports because I have no idea where I could buy one.

This is the support that will be used which is also made by Borgeson. The thread size is 3/4-16 and the two nuts are used to fasten it to a bracket. Lets take a look at what the bracket will look like.

Here is the bracket in it's rough form. I'll be Welding the piece on the bottom to the frame rail and the longer piece will get bolted to it. Now the piece that is getting welded to the frame doesn't have threads in it yet. The reason for this is because this piece is 3/8" thick and the size of bolt is going to be 3/8-16 but I want all the strength I can get and not have this sticking in the air to far (don't want it to be to ugly). What I plan to do is after I weld the piece on, I'll then drill through the frame using these two holes as a guide. That way when I tap the threads, I can also use the thickness of the frame (1/8") as part of the threads for all this. Now to give you a little history on the strength of fasteners, say like a bolt, the bolt is only as strong as it's cross section plus one thread. Now I have a 3/8 diameter bolt and the thickness of my block is the same. This is where the extra thickness of the frame comes in to add to the strength of the threads. See how all this comes together!! Now if you were wondering what the slot is for in this block, just remember how close the brake line is to the headers.

Here is a better shot of how close the brake line is to those tubes. I'll be re-routing it to the top of the frame rail to get it away from the heat. Notice the red out-line of where the 3/8" thick block will be welded. Now picture the brake line running through the center of it. I made the slot width and depth the same which is clearance enough for the brake line and some rubber to protect it. I plan to run the line up the frame about four inches to the right of the body that you see in the picture below. Then I'll make a slot in the end of the body that rides on the top frame rail, continue along to the top through the block to the other side of the number one cylinder and then back down the frame to where it originally fastened. With the inner fenders installed, it won't be very noticeable. I thought about running it on the outside of the frame but I think this work fine so here we go.

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