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An fhead, saginaw and I

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Don X, Jun 9, 2011.

  1. Jun 9, 2011
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
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    Mar 30, 2007
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    I'm getting ready to put in manual saginaw steering into my M38A1. I've found plenty of threads that cover power steering conversions but fewer regarding manual conversions and nothing that specifically speaks to an fhead.

    Eyeballing everything I'm having a hard time visualizing how it'll run. The biggest obstacle I see is the way the exhaust drops down and then the motor mount.

    I'm looking for some pics of a saggy conversion involving an fhead. Does anyone have some? I'd appreciate hearing details. Thanks.
     
  2. Jun 10, 2011
    68 swamper

    68 swamper New Member

    Slidell , Louisiana
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2006
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    29
    I have what you are looking for, But I am not able to post pics.
    I had no problem clearing the exhaust,but it was close about a 1/4 inch clearance. notched the motor mount and front cross member.
    I used the Advanced Kit.
    I will try to set up a photo bucket account , and post some picks if no one else chimes in.
    or pm me with a e-mail addy
    David
     
  3. Jun 10, 2011
    gibson-d@sbcglobal.net

    gibson-d@sbcglobal.net Member

    Houston, TX
    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2007
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    93
    In Moses Ludel's Jeep CJ Restoration Manual (up to '71) he has a complete write up with pictures on his '55 CJ5. He also uses an AA kit. Good luck.
     
  4. Jun 10, 2011
    68 swamper

    68 swamper New Member

    Slidell , Louisiana
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2006
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    picshttp://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/68swamper/015-1.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2011
  5. Jun 10, 2011
    EricM

    EricM Active Member

    Southern California
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    Dec 19, 2007
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    1,019
    Here's a fixed version of the above link:

    [​IMG]


    Don, I haven't done it yet, but I plan to use Mcruff's mounting bracket and spud shaft to go under the front cross member. Then I might use Herm's steering kit to convert my existing steering column (unless I stumble upon a postal column).
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2011
  6. Jun 10, 2011
    dvw86

    dvw86 Member

    Eastern Washington
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2007
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    191
    I'm going off memory here, but doesn't the F head radiator hang low on that side? I went with a manual Saginaw box and seem to remember that the radiator got in the way of the u-joint on the end of the spud shaft. My friend stayed with the 4 banger and went with a manual box as well. He had an interesting way of only using one u-joint. Basically he didn't weld in the steering box mounting plate until he had pointed the steering box input shaft right at the end of the steering column. He basically just had one long spud shaft. That way he only used a u-joint between the column and spud shaft.
     
  7. Jun 11, 2011
    Long&Low

    Long&Low Active Member

    Geauga County, OH
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    Dec 13, 2009
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    I used a postal column on my CJ5, a later manual CJ5 box, and a intermediate shaft from Borgeson, which is a stock replacement on a ICJ5. I had to remove some material from the engine mounting plate. but the intermediate shaft clears the exhaust.

    Here's some pics of my set up, hope this helps. Note, I removed the light blue u-joint that you see mounted on the box and used the whole set up from Borgeson (ordered mine thru Summit Racing). If I waited I probably would not have had to "trim" the grille (doh).

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2011
  8. Jun 12, 2011
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
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    Excellent pictures gentleman! I really appreciate it.
     
  9. Jun 12, 2011
    Jim302

    Jim302 Banned

    Morrisville PA
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    Jan 4, 2011
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    71
    WOW that is a big chunk out of the cross member. Was anyone dropped or raised the box enough to clear it?
     
  10. Jun 12, 2011
    jasonjp62

    jasonjp62 Member

    Pennsboro WV.
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    Aug 15, 2009
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    I went thru mine, sleeved it.
     
  11. Jun 12, 2011
    Long&Low

    Long&Low Active Member

    Geauga County, OH
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    I reinforced mine also were I cut the cross member, plus with the stoutness of reinforcing the frame horns and front bumper, I have no worries.

    You can place the baox were you want, either so the shaft goes under or over the cross member. If you place it low, then you'll really need to add a lot to the frame and it becomes hazard on the trail. If you place it so it goes over the cross member, then your gonna need to cut the front of the grille. It's all how you picture the best place for it to be based on your own thoughts.

    If you plan it all well including a winch mount, you can get pretty creative.
     
  12. Jun 12, 2011
    dvw86

    dvw86 Member

    Eastern Washington
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    Sep 23, 2007
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    191
    I have a friend who went under the crossmember, but he had to have a longer steering column. His box was a little low for my tastes. I went through the crosmember and welded a pipe in the hole that I drilled through it.
     
  13. Jun 12, 2011
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    How low are you talking? My power box goes under the crossmember, no more reinforcement than normal and its never touched anything, in fact for it to get hit I would need to smash my shackles 1st.
     
  14. Jun 13, 2011
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    I would suggest if you are eliminating that light blue u-joint to drill holes with enough clearance for the shaft to go through it. Sleeved for strength of course.
     
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