datsun steering conversion

[Badger]

What is the recommended oil for the Datsun Box? Steve Rankin TC 6646 Go ask your Datsun service agent. This is an MG list. Badgey

[Skip Kelsey]

At 09:46 PM 1/18/02 -0800, Steve Rankin wrote:

What is the recommended oil for the Datsun Box?

Steve: The oil for the Datsun gear box. is SP90 Gear Oil. Skip Kelsey..............................................

[Mark Sellick]

Hi all,

Has anyone fitted the Datsun steering box conversion to a TA? I assume (dangerous thing to do!) it will fit, as the same Bishop Cam steering box is used in TA, TB and TC, just the the mounting bracket changed from TA onward. Anyone have any experiences?

Mark

TC1459 and some of TA1392

[C Sherriff]

Message text written by "Badger"

> What is the recommended oil for the Datsun Box?

Steve Rankin TC 6646

[Viv James TraX Interconnect (Pty.) Ltd]

Jack, I think the models differ depending where you are. Here in SA, the original conversion units were taken from Datsun 1200 cars. This model discontinued quite a few years ago. Still on sale here we have the Nissan 1400 light delivery and that has the same box as the 1200 car. I have a 1200 car box in my cream TC which by the way had no steering box when I found it and I have a 1400 LDV box in my black TC (for the purists, the complete original steering is stored ready for the next owner). When I did the conversion, I found that there was a big Datsun box and a small Datsun box. We use the small one and unless you see them together, you can get confused. The conversion itself is relatively easy as follows: 1. You need to get a spline cut to match the TC steering wheel and to lengthen the shaft and outer tube of the donor box. his can be done at the same time as stripping the donor bax to check its condition. I matched lengths of the new and original culumn/box from the centre of the drop arm ball joint taper to the end of the stg wheel spline. You should also insert some engineering felt or similar in the outer tube about 1/2 way down the column. I did not do this and both cars have a rattle in the column at certain slow speeds. This is irritationg and is on my list for attention. 2. Make 2 plates, one to match the steering box mounting flange and the other to match the 3 original holes in the chassis. I used about 8mm steel plate. 3. Bolt each plate in place on box and chassis and with radiator removed and exhaust in place, push column thru sealing boot and hang loosely in under-dash bracket then using cleverness like wire or rope, lift box into approx. position. It should almost touch the engine mounting bracket and just leave enough clearance for the bonnet (hood) closing bracket bolt and nut. 4. Now you need to look at clearnce from the sump and practicalities of the bracket itself to decide on the exact box position. This is really common sense. 5. Make sure you are happy with the steering wheel height. This is no longer adjustable. 6. Next, finally check the box position then measure the distance between the 2 mounting plates (which are not parallel to each other). The plates will not be exactly opposite each other but there is room to offset the spacer tube OK (see 7 below). 7. Cut and fit a piece of thick walled tube about 40mm OD to lie between the 2 plates such that it clears all 3 sets of bolt holes and if possible, while in situ tack weld or at least mark the postion carefully. From memory, the tube is about 30mm long. 8. Remove tack welded bracket and weld properly, paint and fit. 9. The standard TC tapered ball joint fits the Datsun taper 10.You may have to reset your steering lock end stops. With this modification, steering lock is no longer a problem and I have a tyre mark under my right fender - also on the to do list. 11. Note, the Datsun drop arm can't be rotated on the sector shaft. It only fits in one position. 12. Enjoy the driving pleasure and knowledge that if something breaks it won't be the drop arm. You will learn to laugh off comments from the purists while you enjoy you TC like you neve could before. I am an ex-purist so I should know. 13. If you do serious driving tests etc. remember that with this box you can put serious strain on other items. For example at our last Indaba, I burst the drop arm ball joint whipping the car round a figure of 8 pylon course and to the my embarrassment, my roadside repair was shown on National TV here. Ball joint was incorrectly assembled but that's another story. 14. Having read the VW conversion notes in Octagon CC mag., I can tell you that the Datsun conversion is very easy. It took me 4 hours including making the bracket, once the box itself had been modified and the next day we participated in a 150 km run with no problems. Cheers Viv Viv

[davjak@aol.com]

Members, After the careful rebuild of my '48 TC's front suspension/steering, I have found that the Datsun steering box conversion (nice BTW) that I purchased to "increase the steering feel" has been found to not be needed and thought I would offer it to some one here before listing on Ebay. Any interested parties please drop me an email. Dave [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]