Mopar Muscle Association UK

Part way through steering box rebuild

noticed that the sector snout on the box has taken a clout at some point which has buckled the seal seat side

snout of box is bored to 1 and 1/16th inch for sector
the snout is 1/4-1/2 inch fatter than the hole for the sector at the end.
the end of the snout is bored for a standard metal-case rubber lip seal like the one in your timing cover just tiny in comparison
this leaves a rim that is not much thicker than a match
this bored section is no longer round
it will destroy the seal if I smack it in with a bit of wood

its a cast iron box

if I put a cone in and apply pressure

what is the potential for cracking? loads of different types of cast iron.... are any of them bendy?

the way it has buckled indicates that the metal was obviously reasonably ductile when the incident occurred.
this probably explains why it was leaking grease

bit of heat and proceed with caution?

or am I better just getting the seal housing re machined and putting up with a very very thin bit.

if I bust it, the snout can be cut back and machined deeper. plenty of space to move bearing up snout and make new seal face, an action usually taken if the seal has worn your sector shaft to the point of not sealing anymore

but 1/8 inch reduction in sector support would be an undesirable feature of that method.

good job I noticed now, would be a pain to discover it once it was full of steering bits and grease.

happy to take a worn RHD Manual steering box 1962-198? off anyone who has one, just need the case. AUS valiant SA Barracuda US made for UK barracuda all the same manual box

Dave

Not really had any dealings with cast iron, wouldn't expect anything fitted to a car to be too brittle. So maybe a cone a bit of pressure and gentle heat might work but wouldn't want to get it glowing or it probably will crack on cooling.

yes cherry red won't be an option don't think my blow torch could manage it

Cheers

Dave

well its cast something!

possibly cheese

I took the attitude that if I could ding dents into the case outer with a panel beating hammer that it must be quite soft and bendy


bit of bashing with a hammer and appropriately sized socket has everything more or less good

Dave

Reckon that's a result
Like the Hit it with a Hammer approach

well plenty of cast-in markings, tool set and part number I guess

but spotted an arrow "Stamped" on the cover that points dead ahead
if its been stamped its been STAMPED

so I tickled the main case with a hammer on a particularly fat bit..... seemed a safe bet, and made a small dent

must be ductile iron I guess

it rusts and is heavier than you expect so its definitely ferrous

gave me confidence to use a little more force.

US aluminium case would be a different prospect...

Dave