We had Hooker Competition headers put on our 68 convert with 351C last summer. There is an extention bracket bolted to the frame that drops the steering ram lower with headers.
This spring Mike put new suspension, negative wedge and new steering unit on the car and found the bolts on the drop bracket were almost pulled out of the frame. He welded the bolts to the frame and thought it was secure.
Last week after driving the car from SLC to Reno for car show we heard a terrible noise and squeal. The bolts had pulled out of the frame again. The steering ram was even bent.
Couldn't disconnect the power steering as some people suggested because the belt also drives the fan and water pump.
Found a mechanic and welder in Reno who knows Fords well. Seems to be a common problem. Dropping the steering ram causes more stress than the bracket or bolts can handle. But no one had told us previously.
So holes where drilled through a quarter inch steel plate that the bolts where threaded through and then the plate was welded to the frame.
Hopefully it won't be coming apart again.
This spring Mike put new suspension, negative wedge and new steering unit on the car and found the bolts on the drop bracket were almost pulled out of the frame. He welded the bolts to the frame and thought it was secure.
Last week after driving the car from SLC to Reno for car show we heard a terrible noise and squeal. The bolts had pulled out of the frame again. The steering ram was even bent.
Couldn't disconnect the power steering as some people suggested because the belt also drives the fan and water pump.
Found a mechanic and welder in Reno who knows Fords well. Seems to be a common problem. Dropping the steering ram causes more stress than the bracket or bolts can handle. But no one had told us previously.
So holes where drilled through a quarter inch steel plate that the bolts where threaded through and then the plate was welded to the frame.
Hopefully it won't be coming apart again.
