4:1 or 5:1 Steering mod?

[Scott_Conger]

A while back, a local rancher was auctioning off a bunch of stuff that had been stored in an old unused bunk house. I ended up purchasing a complete knocked-down 1910 Sears Motor-Buggy still in the shipping crate. A friend and I tore into the crate and pulled out the parts this past fall. Probably should have kept the crate for display, but I think a lot of it got burned this winter, as I cannot find much of it now.

Anyway, for driving, there was no way I was going to try to use the old engine, so got rid of it and fitted a small, used Yanmar industrial diesel engine to the thing. It worked great, but the torque kept cracking the spokes on those flimsy wheels, so after going through ½ dozen or so small hose clamps trying to hold spokes together, I gave up and ultimately ended up scrapping them and modifying things to take 21 x 4.40 balloon tires. It makes the whole thing a lot lower, but no more broken spokes! The only trouble now, is it is almost impossible to steer with the tiller…Bottom line: I’m afraid I’ll break it at low speeds, so am planning on updating everything with “T” steering and was wondering which gear ratio would be best? I was thinking 4:1, as 5:1 might not feel right for the age of the car.

[George Mills]

Thinking out loud...

You've converted to balloon T wheels and tires which may or may not have a bigger paw-on-the-ground than clincher. When Ford made the change, they went from 4::1 to 5::1 and while the marketing argument was more for the emerging lady drivers...more paw-on-the-ground would have resulted in more force being required...hence the change for another reason including a steering wheel diameter change?

The obvious question could be 'what is the wheel-base difference?' A significant difference shorter would actually make steering a bit more 'hair-ier" to begin with?

[JTT3]

Scot I had a Sears a while back and quite frankly I’m very disappointed in what you have done to the Sears. Finding one in that condition and then changing the horizontal engine out for a Yanmar engine is well just plain irresponsible everyone in the hobby knows the Kubota 28 hp diesel is a much better fit. Changing the tiller style steering I can completely understand I would prefer you use a tilt style column out of a Ford ranger though. It’s an easy fit plus you can use the pulley from the old oil pump system to run the power steering pump from the ranger. Just trying to help.

[John_manuel]

FIRST, there is no point in FOOLING around with something this old. There were no decent cars built before 1928. Forget about it.

[dobro1956]

April Fool ....

[Steve Jelf]

Is this Facebook?

[tmodeldriver]

Yeah, right.

[Humblej]

I hate April first...Good one Scott.

[Scott_Conger]

Busted.

Just couldn't help myself. Have regained my composure and am ready for the rest of 2019. Bring it on.

[Playswithbrass]

Scott you got me hook,line and sinker. Halfway through reading your post I said to my wife I used think this guy was ok but,not so sure now then I scrolled to the bottom.oh well heart had a work out. Cheers Pete

[Scott_Conger]

Pete

no need to schedule that stress test...sounds like you're fine!

[Henry K. Lee]

Dear Mr Conger,

You have won this prestigious award hands down by an anonymous vote. Please display proudly!

All the Best,

Hank

[Scott_Conger]

Hank, I am humbled!

I am nearly certain that this probably came directly off your own wall, to boot!

I will treasure it mightily.

[Henry K. Lee]

Actually this is above Dad's workbench! He said I will inherit it! LOL!