MTFCA Forum

Hi everyone!

So I have a mystery which I'm hoping someone can help me solve.

While I continue my hunt for a roadster body I can use (since mine is missing so much of the sub frame as to be un-useable) I am working on getting my running gear finished and running.

To this end I have installed a 1925 high metal firewall, with the correct square hole mounting brackets, and when I installed the steering column the rods are approximately 3/4" too short to work - using the standard 1926 steering box.
See how the one rod is about 3/4" too short? (The other is too, it doesn't protrude from the steering box)

So do I need to use an earlier steering box? Will that alleviate this issue or is there something else I am missing??

Here's a shot of the firewall brackets I am using, they do have the square holes, and are attached to the firewall using carriage bolts.
Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Jennifer
aka ModelTGal

You may be mixing multi year parts. Is your frame a ‘26-‘27 ?...You’ve identified the firewall... How about the steering column ? Is the flange that attaches to the firewall square or round ? The lower steering column bracket might be too small and short for the steering column and I’m thinking you need the earlier, longer one.

Hi George!

So the frame has the later style running board brackets, and I believe has the serial number stamped on the passenger frame rail.

The steering column has the square flange to attach to firewall with square holes for the bolts.

So yeah, it sounds like I need the earlier steering box as everything else seems to be "aligned" right?

Jennifer
aka ModelTGal

ModelTGal wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 13, 2022 2:16 pm

Hi George!

So the frame has the later style running board brackets, and I believe has the serial number stamped on the passenger frame rail.

The steering column has the square flange to attach to firewall with square holes for the bolts.

So yeah, it sounds like I need the earlier steering box as everything else seems to be "aligned" right?

Jennifer
aka ModelTGal

You have a 26/27 lower bracket, a 26/27 steering column and a 1925 firewall? That doesn't work. The 26/27 lower bracket moves the steering column closer to the frame, but the '25 firewall does not. The "bolt-up" of the 26/27 column to the '25 firewall may also be a little funky. It's also still unclear to me what year frame you have, (kinda looks like 26/27). Does the front crossmember have the "wings" at each end where the fender brackets attach? Hard to tell from the photos, but I'm wondering if you don't also have firewall brackets meant for a wood firewall.

What year body are you hoping to find?

Also, if you intend to use the wood blocks that fit inside the frame rails and support engine mounting arms, you'll need to turn your motor mount bolts around so the nut is on the top. You'll then also need the side bolts. Some folks omit those wood blocks, but most agree that they're needed and useful in reducing vibration and preventing broken motor mounts.

Hi Jerry!

So I am trying to find a replacement body w/sub frame for a 1926 or 1927 roadster. My subframe has way too much metal missing to try for a repair.

Sorry to be dense, but what "wings" are we talking about?? These things?

Oh getting those wood blocks in are going to be painful as heck....

Jennifer
aka ModelTGal

ModelTGal wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 13, 2022 3:43 pm

Hi Jerry!

So I am trying to find a replacement body w/sub frame for a 1926 or 1927 roadster. My subframe has way too much metal missing to try for a repair.

Sorry to be dense, but what "wings" are we talking about?? These things?


Screen Shot 2022-06-13 at 3.41.00 PM.png

Oh getting those wood blocks in are going to be painful as heck....

Jennifer
aka ModelTGal

Yes, those are the wings. Your '25 firewall will be of no use to you with a 26/27 body.

The wood blocks really are not that hard to install. Put the vertical bolts in first, with the nuts on top, then drive the blocks down the frame rail until the side holes line up.

Yep... now that we have more information, that firewall won’t work for you. 26-27 body styles (except for the fordoor) had firewalls integral to the body. And you have nice wings

There are significant size differences between a '25 & '26 firewall (aka dash). So this propagates a question about what year your roadster body is. The difference is size and shape would be noticeable. Titles & engine numbers don't always agree with the actual car.
So check your hood dimensions as well. Think its time for you to show some pictures so members can determine what your working with. This picture is looking at the firewall from the front of the car This picture is looking at the firewall from the rear of the car --
--
Hoods --
--
Radiator

To get things to align correctly, they come in particular combinations. For a 1926-7 improved car, the steering column was lowered to streamline the car!
This means a steering column with the square mounting at the fire wall, A firewall with the mounting hole set lower, and a steering bracket on the frame which sets at a lower angle. I believe there can be no easy departures from this set of components.

On our Canadian sourced cars, the lower steering bracket at the frame has a grease cup which is set at an angle rather than at right angles to the shaft. Yours does not have this. A 1925 firewall will have the hole for the steering column set higher than it is in a 26 model firewall. These need to be sorted.

Allan from down under.

Hi Frank, thank you for the details.

I am just trying to get the car started/running - so was hoping I could temporarily use the 1925 firewall to support the steering column (in particular the throttle and spark advance rods) to help start/control the engine.

The body I have has a badly corroded sub frame where significant chunks are literally missing - but it does have the correct 1926 firewall. I may just cut the cowl section off and use that temporarily as that seems to be the best path forward with the least resistance.

This is all to just facilitate me getting this thing running and set up, while I continue my hunt for a reasonably solid roadster body with an intact sub frame.

My choices at this point seem to be either:

• Use the 1925 firewall with a 1925 steering column and 1925 steering box

Or:

• Use the 1926 firewall with a 1926 steering colum and 1926 steering box

I have all of the 1926 components, but do not have a 1925 steering column yet but they seem relative easy to find.

Thanks again all, I truly appreciate all of your input!!

Jennifer
aka ModelTGal

If you are only wanting to get the car started till you find a body why not make a temporary firewall out of plywood (speedster style) using the '26 as a pattern. You could even make it drivable with some seating as you continue your search

Sorry I can't help but wanted you to know that your first post, it was very clear to me what you were trying to do. Hope you get it figured out.