Le Mans steering boxes

[armsid37]

I am enquiring if there is any experience in replacing the original Singer box with a unit from a Datsun/Nissan vehicle. My original box despite my best efforts has really had it.
I have been talking to the MG boys ( I know its really not done!) and many of the TC owners have done the swop without too much difficulity. Encouraged I found a unit in a local scrap yard and made the purchase but in offering it up to fit there are a number of issues one of which appears to be chopping the drag link and turning it round!

Before I make my usual stuff up has anyone made this swop and if so any advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks,
Brian.
PS It comes as a shock when the scrap yard crowd know you by your Christian name!!

[mikeyr]

not that I am aware of but that does not mean the boys in the UK or "down under" have not done it, they seem to do LOTS of things to keep these cars on the road. I for one am very interested in what/how you make it work, so keep us informed.

[mothy]

In the UK there is a company called Steering Services in Wimbledon, London, who quoted me £250 to overhaul my box. This includes a new nut, and all bushes, plus installing a more effective seal on the drop arm. I have not used them yet, Dave Hardwick put me on to them.

Not much help if one is in South Africa, unless one wants to risk shipping one's bits halfway around the world.

Roly

PS I just been and bought an MG MGB from ebay, seems OK so far.

[ringtrev]

Hi all just my twopenneth as the owner and hard driver of a 35 le mans I can recommend the fitting of the datsun box....whilst it may not get agreement from everyone it certainly changes the dynamics of the car making it precise and such a pleasure to drive hard and for long distances. As a vin tage motor sport competitor it has made day/night trial..rallies over 1000s of miles a pleasure.However fitting such a box to the 33/34 models has not been done here yet there is not as much room to fit that doesn't mean it can't be done.Happy give more info.....cheers trev

[Peter McKercher]

Trev
Which Datsun box is it. One of our Nine Sports owners is looking for a steering box replacement.

[armsid37]

I started off with a question, and can now give an answer.
I was very generously given the opportunity when visiting Melbourne recently to drive Trevor's car and the steering was superb! That did it, I was determined to at least try to fit a modern box, in my searches there was much sucking of cheeks and little in the way of solid information. You know what they say the only way is to start.
So armed with some cash and my Singer column and box I was offered a box from a Datsun 120Y. The obvious initial question was how to mount it as it fitted to the side chassis member on the Datsun, it seemed to me that a sort of sub-frame was required. So, with some suitable sized 5mm plate, blocks of wood, bolts, spacers I arrived with what appeared to be satisfactory.
At that point we had a steering column sort of in the right place with the box in a sub frame, now the question was how to fit the sub-frame to the chassis as the whole affair was lower than the original. The Singer bracket was examined (it was made up from photos as mine was missing) and I turned it over and offered it up underneath the front cross member, wow, this might work if I move the off side in a little to miss the spring.
This has now (today) been welded up, the column extended with a period unit (1935 Armstrong Siddeley) that was spare and attached to the drag link.
Several issues have surfaced, the new box has an arch that fouls both the sump and the springs at the extremes of use, however, when attached the the drag link the stops on the Singer wheels prevent this; the next one was a real "brains behind the balls up", my lovely sub-frame cleared the springs sweetly but I forgot about the bolt heads!! and there was a risk of them fouling the springs. So with much grinding of teeth and angle grinder I believe there is now sufficient clearance .
I hope to paint tomorrow when I will take the photos and duly fit, will post the results here.

[armsid37]

As promised attached are some photos of the Datsun box,sub-frame, support bracket and spacers.
Everything appears OK, no slack in the steering, wheels turn full lock, left and right, I am quite really very pleased, only the test of driving it will confirm my belief.

[ringtrev]

Hi Peter the box we have used successfully in Australia is the Datsun 1000, a model which preceeded the 1200 and 120y. The 1000 box is about the same size as the Singer box and is smaller than the 1200 and 120y.That being said I am sure that ingenious types like friend Brian in South Africa will find a way around the space issue and the recent post proves the point.
The important thing is that the 1000 box is small enough and turns the same way as the Singer(the 1200 and 120y boxes are similar just a little bit larger). Don`t know that I can bring a sample box Peter but when I am in Canada in a couple of months I would be happy to share a beer and discuss. Cheers Trev

[Peter McKercher]

Thanks Trevor. When and where will you be in Canada