225 swap into a 3a, steering issues?

i've been doing research for the 225 swap into my cj 3a, and i've read in a couple places the ross steering might have a clearance issue when the drivetrain gets installed, among other pedal linkages. (225motor,T90/dana18 )

but i'm mainly posting to check with others to see if this is an actual problem, or if most just go to a saginaw setup. i've already bought basicly a brand new set of Ross steering, and want to just stick with that.

is this something i can work around when it comes to welding in motor mounts or is it just a constant clearance problem with the engine/headers/trans?

looking for some input

thanks
Paul

 

http://earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43054&highlight=225+swap+steering

http://earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17911&highlight=225+swap+steering

 

not looking too promising on the ross front..

can't hurt to try it and see if there's something that can be finagled into place and make it work...frame modifications? unfortunatly i don't have the setup sitting in my garage completed yet.

i'll have the means to put my 225 on the frame soon and the steering is all done, maybe then i'll have a better idea what i'm working with....uhng

thanks for the links

 

someone here I think has done it
I couldn't find it while searching...

 

I had a 3a with the buick 225 in it. The ross steering fit fine. Had noclearance problems at all. The motor mounts used where off a cj5 frame. Even used the stock raditor. Egine almost looked like it belonged there.

 

well glad to hear that, so far i had not heard yes or no to the ross setup. i figure i'm probably going to invest in the novak motor mounts, they are suppose to have decent adjustability so i figure there's got to be a way to just make it fit...maybe.

 

I vote to do the saggy conversion while you are setting the 225 mounts in place and planning the exhaust --especially headers. It will give you more flexibility to convert now.

 

I ran into problems with my 225 swap (into a 2A). The drag link hit the front face of the bellhousing when turning to the right. I reluctantly built a new drag link, but that's another story...

Off the top of my head, I don't think I could have moved the motor forward more. If I had, I would have been forced to mod my drive shafts. As it is right now, I'm running my stock 2A driveshafts and radiator. The rad had the bottom outlet moved to the passenger side, but seems to cool ok.

By the way, I think I owe someone pictures about this. PM me - I totally forgot.

 

I agree with Flat47 with regard to the drag link problem plus I had to bend the brake pedal arm to the left cause it ran into the back of the top of the bellhousing....but it all works. I have a saginaw setup on my other 2A and its soooo much easier to turn.

 

sounds like i need to purchase my headers sooner than later, i was thinking of them being something that would be in the way when i was looking at it. i bet the saginaw turns easier..but i just rebuild the whole ross steering, i want to see what it's like.

thanks for your advice

 

I have '67 Jeep CJ5 (mostly stock) and the Ross steering has a lot of steering wheel play, I can't seem to adjust it out. What is the Saginaw fit I can get? I guess I could query the forum. Newbie here.--R

 

you could always get the bellcrank bushing kit or ross box rebuild kit. might help some, but i'm thinking no matter what you do do a ross steering it will always have "play" haha. it's just a corkscrew with some bearings in it...tractor steering.

here's some info i found on a quick search:
http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/steering/saginaw/saginaw.php

got access to a welder?

 

I'm in the middle of doing the same thing to my 2-A. I have nearly all the chasis work done and got the motor started this weekend. I have Ross steering and everything from the hubs to the steering wheel is new or rebuilt. The test fit of the steering box did have issues with the draglink hitting the bell housing. I feel that there has to be a way to fix this problem without having to convert to Saganaw steering.
I think Paul has some photos. Maybe he will post them.
Let me know how your adventure plays out.
Tommy

 

I wish I still had my 3a. I had no clearance problems anywhere with the stock steering. However my plan before selling it was to upgrade the steering.

 

While you have it apart....just do the saginaw conversion too! The ross system was designed in the '40's and belongs there! Because you're not doing a restore, it's the best thing you can do to bring the Jeep up to todays standards, well today....20 years ago todays standards?? You'll be glad you did!!!

Dale

 

less a resto more a rescue true enough, but i've got my hands full trying to pull this thing together before next august as it is..trying to locate a column and the rest of the necessities is just one more thing to do. besides the other jeep crossing country will have ross steering too...so where's the fun in that?

 

I went to the 4WD scrapyard today and found a Saginaw gear box,tie rods, steering column,
and steering shaft from a CJ5 for $125.00.
Does this sound reasonable?
If y'all think so I may buy it.
Tommy

 

that sounds like a steal to me.
i would buy it for that price.

 

If its in decent shape,buy it.