The Bishops Steering Box Problems

[LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com]

Dear Lads& Lasies; We decided to check out the steering problems by pulling out the the whole unit and removing the cover from the bishop box.. Found the following: Sector shaft & bore are chewed up. Roller Bearings all chewed up. Edges of bishop cam are flaking and worn .No seal on bottom of sector shaft. Looks like Datsun time if they ever make it from OZ. The Sebring GOF is coming 12 April and we will have to patch it together and drive very carefully or possibly trailer it. I think total repair would exceed the cost of the Datsun unit and thus my fate has been cast. Not knowing what a Tomkins Kit looks like we are guessing that this Box has one with its attractive cover and grease like nipple on the top. I was using the Carl Fritz formula with better driving results. But prepatory to our use it was bone dry for this former 95 point Trailer Queen. A some what dimayed Thom Collins

[Frank O_ The Mountain]

In a message dated 2/21/02 20:49:28 Pacific Standard Time, LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com writes: > Tom, check out the picture of the Tomkins in the Moss catalog.....your box can be repaired. Phil marino is your man. Terry

[i.thomson@talk21.com]

Tom, I agree with Terry. Keep it original, get your box repaired. The D****N box is only for those who quest after the hope of better steering. The Tomkins kit removes the main failing of the Bishop Cam box. The steering is more than adequate with a good original box and front suspension without losing the character of the car. Ian Thomson ------------------

> In a message dated 2/21/02 20:49:28 Pacific Standard Time, >LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com writes: >

< Not

> knowing what a Tomkins Kit looks like we are guessing that this Box has one > with its attractive cover and grease like nipple on the top. > > >Tom, check out the picture of the Tomkins in the Moss catalog.....your box >can be repaired. Phil marino is your man. >Terry > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://talk21.btopenworld.com/redirect.html?http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/'>[url=http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>

-------------------- talk21 your FREE portable and private address on the net at http://www.talk21.com

[Gene Gillam]

Ian writes:

>The D****N box is only for those who quest after the hope of better steering.

Not only do we quest after it, we get it, Ian.

>The steering is more than adequate with a good original box and front suspension without losing the character of the car.

Excellent steering causes a "loss of character" in the car? Give me a break! While a correctly set up original steering box is, in your words, "more than adequate" (that's somewhat less than excellent, isn't it?) I don't see how it can give the car more character - unless wandering from side to side of the road is considered such. I'm not sure how many total TC's are still in existence right now but I bet that less than 50% of the owners could glance at a TC with a Datsun steering box and realize that something was different - most would think it was a modification similar to the Thompkins Kit and not know it wasn't an original steering box. All of them however, after driving a TC with the modification, would agree that it was an improvment - not a character flaw. Gene Gillam Happy owner, and driver, of a TC with a *D*A*T*S*U*N* steering box.

[Ray]

I am able to vouch for the excellent work Phil Marino does on the box. He is reasonable in price, and rapid in execution! Best Regards, Ray "Remember- It's the collision with the planet that counts!"

----- Original Message ----- From: i.thomson@talk21.com> To: taterry@aol.com>; LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com>; MG-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, February 22, 2002 5:08 AM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] The Bishops Steering Box Problems > Tom, I agree with Terry. Keep it original, get your box repaired. The D****N box is only for those who quest after the hope of better steering. The Tomkins kit removes the main failing of the Bishop Cam box. The steering is more than adequate with a good original box and front suspension without losing the character of the car. > > Ian Thomson > > ------------------ > > In a message dated 2/21/02 20:49:28 Pacific Standard Time, > >LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com writes: > > > < Not > > knowing what a Tomkins Kit looks like we are guessing that this Box has one > > with its attractive cover and grease like nipple on the top. > > > > >Tom, check out the picture of the Tomkins in the Moss catalog.....your box > >can be repaired. Phil marino is your man. > >Terry > > > > > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://talk21.btopenworld.com/redirect.html?http://docs.yahoo.com/info /terms/'>[url=http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> > > > > -------------------- > talk21 your FREE portable and private address on the net at http://www.talk21.com > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

[i.thomson@talk21.com]

Well Gene, I expect that if I had any non standard part on my car I would feel the need to defend it. I don't actually object to the Datsun box on originality grounds and my posting was intended to suggest that such modifications are to be tolerated if they actually bring a substantial improvement over the original. It's just that the original steering set up is such a poor design, even by the standards of the day, that I cannot believe that the fitment of a steering box alone can really make that much difference. IMO the whole set up needs improving to make it worthwhile. The top plate, with its sliding shaft, is well worth improving though and a Tompkins kit(or other such solution which removes the friction and the slack at this point)is well worth doing. This is what I have done (and yes I too feel pressed to defend my deviation from originality) and I cannot believe that a Datsun, or other, box can do that much more. Certainly you gain the slight advantage of the smoothness of a recirculating ball setup; and this brings me to my point about the character of the car. The steering, when it is_all_setup as original with no slop and all angles correct from the wheels and suspension back to the driver is adequate - and is very much an integral part of the character of the car (without wandering all over the road). It is this character which I love the car for. If I felt the need for a more sophisticated ride I would buy a TD and enjoy the advantage of better suspension and rack and pinion steering. I have a YB with much the same setup in the garage and it doesn't get the use of the TC because it has a much different character. It's still a great car though! Ian. ----------

> Ian writes: > >The D****N box is only for those who quest after the hope of better steering. >Not only do we quest after it, we get it, Ian. > >The steering is more than adequate with a good original box and front suspension without losing the character of the car. >Excellent steering causes a "loss of character" in the car? Give me a break! > >While a correctly set up original steering box is, in your words, "more than adequate" (that's somewhat less than excellent, isn't it?) I don't see how it can give the car more character - unless wandering from side to side of the road is considered such. > >I'm not sure how many total TC's are still in existence right now but I bet that less than 50% of the owners could glance at a TC with a Datsun steering box and realize that something was different - most would think it was a modification similar to the Thompkins Kit and not know it wasn't an original steering box. All of them however, after driving a TC with the modification, would agree that it was an improvment - not a character flaw. > >Gene Gillam >Happy owner, and driver, of a TC with a *D*A*T*S*U*N* steering box. > > > > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://talk21.btopenworld.com/redirect.html?http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/'>[url=http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>

-------------------- talk21 your FREE portable and private address on the net at http://www.talk21.com

[Peter Pleitner]

Dear Tom, You need steering DatSoon? I have a Tompkins kit and more enhanced B/C steering box. Its parked in my garage without TC attached. I don't know you personally, but am willing to take a risk and loan it to you for GoF attendance. Cheers, Peter in Ann Arbor, MI -----Original Message----- From: LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com [mailto:LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2002 11:48 PM To: MG-tabc@yahoogroups.com Subject: [mg-tabc] The Bishops Steering Box Problems Dear Lads& Lasies; We decided to check out the steering problems by pulling out the the whole unit and removing the cover from the bishop box.. Found the following: Sector shaft & bore are chewed up. Roller Bearings all chewed up. Edges of bishop cam are flaking and worn .No seal on bottom of sector shaft. Looks like Datsun time if they ever make it from OZ. The Sebring GOF is coming 12 April and we will have to patch it together and drive very carefully or possibly trailer it. I think total repair would exceed the cost of the Datsun unit and thus my fate has been cast. Not knowing what a Tomkins Kit looks like we are guessing that this Box has one with its attractive cover and grease like nipple on the top. I was using the Carl Fritz formula with better driving results. But prepatory to our use it was bone dry for this former 95 point Trailer Queen. A some what dimayed Thom Collins Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Gene Gillam]

Thom, You're more than welcome to mine also. It has the Thomkins kit, new bearings, etc., so you can get an idea of what one, while not totally rebuilt, steers like - and then, since I hope to see you at the GOF again this year, you can drive mine again and compare it to the DATSUN box (grin). Send me your address and I'll pack it up and get it out Monday. Gene From: "Peter Pleitner" pleitner@dundee.net> Date: 2002/02/22 Fri AM 09:00:01 EST To: LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com> CC: "T-ABCs List" mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Subject: RE: [mg-tabc] The Bishops Steering Box Problems Dear Tom, You need steering DatSoon? I have a Tompkins kit and more enhanced B/C steering box. Its parked in my garage without TC attached. I don't know you personally, but am willing to take a risk and loan it to you for GoF attendance. Cheers, Peter in Ann Arbor, MI -----Original Message----- From: LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com [mailto:LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2002 11:48 PM To: MG-tabc@yahoogroups.com Subject: [mg-tabc] The Bishops Steering Box Problems Dear Lads& Lasies; We decided to check out the steering problems by pulling out the the whole unit and removing the cover from the bishop box.. Found the following: Sector shaft & bore are chewed up. Roller Bearings all chewed up. Edges of bishop cam are flaking and worn .No seal on bottom of sector shaft. Looks like Datsun time if they ever make it from OZ. The Sebring GOF is coming 12 April and we will have to patch it together and drive very carefully or possibly trailer it. I think total repair would exceed the cost of the Datsun unit and thus my fate has been cast. Not knowing what a Tomkins Kit looks like we are guessing that this Box has one with its attractive cover and grease like nipple on the top. I was using the Carl Fritz formula with better driving results. But prepatory to our use it was bone dry for this former 95 point Trailer Queen. A some what dimayed Thom Collins Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[David & Joyce Edgar]

The recent offers of lending out steering boxes so Thom can make it to a GoF more safely is what this list is all all about. Maintain the breed and keep them driving. I am proud to be a member of this group. I know many of you out there get tired of all the silly stuff that goes back and forth like whittling trees down to make a petrol measuring stick (and I have been guilty of sending out fluff too) but I love it all and enjoy everyones comments. We like the cars may tend to wander about but that is what makes them (us) all so lovable. David Edgar, TC 5108 El Cajon, California

[CFritz7001@aol.com]

David, AMEN and YEA VERILY Regards, Carl Fritz TC # 6756 (Betsy) VA # 2009 S (Abigail) Gainesville, Florida