Wide block steering interference

Uncle Josh

What's the consensus on clearance between the wide block 6 and later 8 in a pre-stepdown(46/47).



Do we trim the steering shaft off, or grind clearance in the block web or both?

dave s

The late Jack Heisler ground about 1/2" off block and had no problems in his 1941 pickup.

russmaas

Grind the threads to the pivot arm. Then pin the pivot arm into the shaft. Looks better than cutting into the block

Aaron D. IL

I took a angle grinder to the block then re-painted the block. works fine and I doubt there's any structural issues with grinding that web in the casting. The manifold on a step-down 6 is also a bit tight to the firewall when placed on a '46-'47 8 cyl chassis but you can get it in there.

Uncle Josh

Thanks, I've put a late 254 in my 46 pickup with a 49 OD tranny. Looks like I'll be able to just shorten the shaft if the arm and nut go on far enough. A little off the web if I need to.

LanceB

Bill A had told me to take an angle grinder to the block to remove the web. That was the easiest thing to do and as Aaron says there is not a structural issue. Just touch up the block with a little paint and no one can tell.