I have a Gemmer box in my 67 IH Pickup which has an outer steering shaft tube slid over box's casting and tube passes from there through fire wall to steering wheel. Within that tube is a long input shaft to which steering wheel is nutted onto. In other words your box has a very long, 50" or so, input shaft protruding from box. It's all one big chunk. This stile of box was the norm for years in trucks, and cars until the feds decided it was healthier to have a collapsible steering column during a crash...

Seams one could source a right-hand drive box from another manufacture with the same architecture; mounted front or rear of axle and an output shaft dangling in the right way. Input shaft from your old box could be cut and grafted on to retrofit box via common hot-rod methods. I bet some crafty hot-rod guys could give some guidance on such a conversion. Jeeps come right hand drive, and those old white S10 based USPO trucks also right hand drive, and than there is the England, much closer to Texas than land of OZ (think shipping costs), and probably a richer selection of used steering boxes to pick over.

Now that I think about it, Lorrie Van implies English truck. I bet Mopar Here, maybe these guys' parts dept would have a lead, used some off the shelf box from their British parts bin to use in your van.

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Hey Mr. W,
Sorry about not responding sooner. Didn't notice that the Thread had a Page 2.



Same situation with Lorrie, except the Tube passes through the Floor Board to the Steering Wheel.



Same with Lorrie.



It turns out that there are TWO Versions of the Gemmer Y4D-335 RHD Manual Steering Gear Box. One is a "Short" Shaft, and one is a "Long" Shaft per what you are describing.



Seems like a "nutty" setup, but then again, they did stuff back in the mists of time that are strange by today's standards.



That is what has become to be called "Plan C". Plan A is to actually find a Proper&Correct Unit. Plan B is to have the ORIGINAL Unit Rebuilt. Plan C is to adapt another RHD Manual Steering Gear Box.



In this area, I am the "Crafty Hot-Rod Guy!



Right. Have been tracking down ALL the RHD sources. Have found much, but we're not yet ready to go to Plan C, at least not for a bit. BTW, this Caper is scheduled for November, so we have a ways to go before finally deciding on what course of action MUST be taken.



Strangely, the UK has been of absolutely no help as a source. Seems they've never even HEARD of a "Manual" Steering Box!



BINGO!



Will be thoroughly parsing all of the above references. Thanks for posting them.

Am waiting to hear back from a company (see HERE:)

http://www.straightlinesteering.com/Home%20page.htm

that has listed a Gemmer Y5D-375 Manual Steering Gear Box, which is listed in the 1967-1968 Dodge Truck Service Manual as being able to be used in a D500-600 Dodge Truck, as is the Gemmer Y4D-335. Am waiting to see if they have a RHD version. But even if they don't, there is the possibility that they might just have the Bearings, Bushings, Seals, and Gaskets with which to do a rebuild of the Gemmer Y4D-335 Unit. If they do that would MAYBE solve one of the problems that RedHead Steering Gears (see HERE:)

https://www.redheadsteeringgears.co

had as being the reason for not being able to rebuild Lorrie's ORIGINAL Unit.

We are, nonetheless, continuing to search and research this Caper. Will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again for the response and references.

It's onward through the fog.

JC

_________________
Lorrie Van Haul - 1967 Dodge - P200 Post Office Vehicle - 225 Slant Six - Torqueflite A727 Automatic Transmission - Right Hand Drive Steering - Big Three HEI System - Frantz Oil Cleaner System - Bendix Stromberg Model W Carburetor

Hey All,
Sent the following Query to Straight Line Steering, Inc.:



Got the following response from Ralph at Straight Line Steering:


JC

_________________
Lorrie Van Haul - 1967 Dodge - P200 Post Office Vehicle - 225 Slant Six - Torqueflite A727 Automatic Transmission - Right Hand Drive Steering - Big Three HEI System - Frantz Oil Cleaner System - Bendix Stromberg Model W Carburetor

I'd jump on that Straight Line deal and be happy it can be rebuilt... No farting around re-engineering, welding, sourcing unseen parts that may or may not cobble up satisfactorily.

Ten years ago I had my PS box rebuilt in the Dart by Steer and Gear in Ohio, it was $450 with fright one way, $700 for something that goes right back in is reasonable. Divide $700 by 55 years and that's 13 bucks a year before the next rebuild is due in 2073. LOL

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.

82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp

07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Hey Mr. W.,
Was elated to receive the very PROMPT reply from Ralph at Straight Line Steering, Inc. It held out hope for Lorrie's Gemmer Y4D-335 RHD Manual Steering Gear Box where OTHERS held out only doom and gloom.



There IS something to be said for not having to figure out how to pull a VERY iffy project back from the brink. And all would be well if the solution that made that possible was sure-fire. Alas. More on this a bit further on.



And you had total confidence that it would work?



Agreed, but only if there is total confidence that THAT would be the case, something which Ralph's response quoted in the Post to which you responded didn't seem to engender. BTW, when Lorrie was purchased in 1975, she cost $750.00 total!

Also, the $695.00 price made no mention about return shipping costs.

On the Straight Line Steering, Inc. webpage, there is the following paragraph found under Freight Policy:


Googled the term F.O.B. and got THIS:


So "F.O.B. Straight Line Steering" means that when the Unit is finished and is sitting at Straight Line Steering, it belongs to the owner of the Unit, and any shipping costs will be the owner's responsibility. So the $695.00 + (possibly tax) and shipping both ways would bring the cost up to approaching $800.00.



It might be efficacious to include at this point a graphic that shows the kind of Steering Gear Box about which we are talking. The one shown is a LHD, but a RHD is the same KIND of mechanism: See HERE:

http://www.sweptline.org/steering63_68/19-01.gif

So what I'd like to do now is analyze what Ralph wrote, which will be once again quoted here:


Due to strange punctuation, am unclear what the term "new worm gear,roller." means. Is Ralph saying that the rebuild includes:
1. A "NEW Worm Gear"? Or is it a "NEW Worm Gear Roller."? And if it is the latter, what is a NEW Worm Gear Roller? Is THAT the Bearing Type?

2. Next, the term "Roller.Race Cups" are in the Illustration, shown as being "Cage & Roller", with the drawing indicating that those are the Bearings, and the Cups are the parts that hold the Cage & Roller Bearings in place.

3. Alas, the exploded view referenced above has no listing for "Thrust Bearings". Am going to assume what Ralph intended that to mean is the "Sector Shaft Bushings".

So here is what I have concluded that Ralph at Straight Line Steering is proposing to do for $695.00 + tax and shipping: Install Two NEW Bearing Assemblies (Cages, Rollers, and Cups), Two NEW Sector Shaft Bushings, and a NEW Oil Seal. Then, of course, the Unit must be properly adjusted per the instructions in the 1967 Dodge Factory Shop Manual, of which there is a copy here.

Would you agree with the foregoing?

The looming question is: Will NEW Bearing Assemblies, NEW Sector Shaft Bushings, and a NEW Sector Shaft Oil Seal take the SLOP out of Lorrie's Steering?

We now come to the "What Ifs". What if the Worm Gear is worn out? What if the Gears on the Sector Shaft are worn out? Those two parts are what caused the OTHER rebuilders of Steering Gear Boxes to defer on the project.

And seeing as to how the Worm Gear and Sector Shaft are probably made of "Unobtainium", taking Lorrie's Gemmer Y4D-335 out and shipping it to San Jose California is looking less and less like something I'm willing to do.

Were I able to find the "Cage&Rollers", and the appropriate "Cups", and an "Oil Seal", I am almost certain that I could install them properly.

So the situation is this: Am going to have to think this over.

Straight Line Steering, Inc. is by all the reviews that have been found an honorable, and competent organization. BUT, even so, they cannot guarantee that Lorrie's Gemmer Y4D-335 RHD Manual Steering Gear Box will be rebuildable. But that's NOT their fault.

A final thought... If all that is going to be done is install two Bearing assembly, two Bushing, and an Oil Seal, without any assurance that it will solve the problem, $695.00 + tax and shipping DOES seem to be excessive. Nuff said.

Anyway, Mr. W. Thanks for the response and your positive attitude is commendable!

Hope this finds YOU doing well.

Take care.
JC

_________________
Lorrie Van Haul - 1967 Dodge - P200 Post Office Vehicle - 225 Slant Six - Torqueflite A727 Automatic Transmission - Right Hand Drive Steering - Big Three HEI System - Frantz Oil Cleaner System - Bendix Stromberg Model W Carburetor

Does the drawing for the gear box show any parts that could be adjusted to remove the play?
Maybe you could try adjusting.

Also play when turn steering wheel could be loose front wheel bearings, worn tie rods, loose gear box
mounting bolts. If the problem is with these parts maybe you don't have to rebuild the gear box.

Hey Mr. M.,
There seems to be ONLY one adjustment available.



Have over the years adjusted the one adjustment, and it has finally reached as far as it will go.



Have checked and double checked everything. The looseness in the Steering is ALL in the area between the Steering Wheel, and the Sector Shaft. The Shaft from the Steering Wheel THROUGH the Worm Gear IS where the looseness occurs.

It appears that Straight Line Steering, Inc., is in order to rebuild the Gemmer Y4D-335 going to custom-make a NEW Worm Gear. Am going to confirm that with Straight Line Steering with no ambiguity or vagueness. If THAT is the case, the $695.00 + Tax&Shipping isn't out of line.

Anyway, everything happens when it's supposed to happen. Hopefully that will be the case in this instance.

Thanks for taking the time, and making the effort to respond. It is much appreciated.

Take care.

JC

_________________
Lorrie Van Haul - 1967 Dodge - P200 Post Office Vehicle - 225 Slant Six - Torqueflite A727 Automatic Transmission - Right Hand Drive Steering - Big Three HEI System - Frantz Oil Cleaner System - Bendix Stromberg Model W Carburetor

Hey All,
Friday, May 17, 2019, Morning Update:

Normally, Lorrie Van Haul is so trouble free that she seldom needs the expert help that is ONLY available here at the Slant Six Forum. But recently (in the past week), she has intermittently exhibited a somewhat STRANGE anomaly. And here is a description of that STRANGE behavior:

As is usual, Lorrie starts right up either cold, or at operating temperature with the Gear Selector in PARK. When starting cold, it takes about about two minutes for her Choke Mechanism to open the Choke Plate in her Bendix Stromberg Model W Single Throat Carburetor, at which time she settles into a turbine smooth 550 RPM Idle.

But earlier this week, after starting normally, she was ready to be backed out of the driveway, when her Gear Selector was pulled into REVERSE, and Lorrie's MIGHTY 225 Slant Six Engine IMMEDIATELY STOPPED!

The Gear Selector was put back into PARK, and the Engine restarted. Again, the Gear Selector was pulled into REVERSE, and again the Engine IMMEDIATELY STOPPED.

So the Gear Selector was put into NEUTRAL, the Engine restarted, and the Gear Selector was pushed into Reverse, and Lorrie's Engine continued to run, and her A727 TorqueFlite Transmission went into REVERSE Gear, and off we went.

The rest of the day went normally, and though WHY the Engine stopped when it was started in PARK, and then put into REVERSE remained a mystery.

Subsequently, this anomaly has occasionally recurred, and even occurred when the Engine was started in NEUTRAL, and then put into REVERSE.

Then yesterday, the Engine was started in PARK, and when the Gear Selector was put into REVERSE, wonder of wonders, the A727 went into Reverse as if nothing had ever been wrong.

Lorrie and I went out and about, and as a bit of a test, the next time that the Engine had to be started it was attempted with the Gear Selector in NEUTRAL. The Engine would crank, but WOULDN'T FIRE! So the attempt to start was done with the Gear Selector in PARK, and the Engine STARTED RIGHT UP! The Gear selector was then pulled into DRIVE, and off we went!.

Subsequently, Lorrie's Engine needed to again be started, and it was done with the Gear Selector in PARK, and when the Gear Selector was pulled into REVERSE, the Engine STOPPED. The restart was attempted in NEUTRAL, and when the Gear Selector was pushed into REVERSE, the Engine STOPPED. So at this point, the Starter was keyed with the Gear Selector in REVERSE, and the Engine STARTED RIGHT UP, and the A727 Transmission was in REVERSE, and off we went.

Later, some amount of time was spent experimenting with various methods of starting, and it turned out that no matter what was done, SOMETIMES Lorrie's Engine would STOP when put into REVERSE, and SOMETIMES it would continue to run normally. The results seemed to be TOTALLY RANDOM.

One other fact needs to be known, and that is that Lorrie has no NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH. Her Engine will start with the Gear Selector in PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, 2, AND 1, and it has ALWAYS been like that since Lorrie was purchased from the Houston United States Postal Service back in 1975.

So to sum up the situation, it has come down to the BASIC problem being that SOMETIMES Lorrie's Engine will STOP when started in PARK, and then pulled into REVERSE. SOMETIMES it will continue to run when started in PARK, and then pulled into REVERSE. SOMETIMES it will STOP when started in NEUTRAL, and then pushed into REVERSE. SOMETIMES it will continue to run when started in NEUTRAL, and then pushed into REVERSE. And SOMETIMES the Engine won't start with the Gear Selector in NEUTRAL. And finally, the Engine will almost ALWAYS start with the Gear Selector in ANY position (PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, 1, and 2.)

In any case, since this has started happening, there has always been a way to get Lorrie to function, and as mentioned previously, what Lorrie has been doing appears to be TOTALLY RANDOM.

The first time that this anomaly appeared, I was taken by surprise. Since then, have been being aware of what is being done, and am STILL watching it carefully. As usual, I'm NOT convinced that this has not happened to someone else before, and it MAY be something simple, but as you all well know, sussing out an intermittent problem is not always easy. So far, I have not been able to consistently duplicate the symptoms exhibited.

On another note, Lorrie's Gemmer Y4D-335 RHD (Right Hand Drive) Steering Gear Box is still hanging fire, but have found a company (Lares Corporation) who is 99.9% confident that they can rebuild the Unit. Have still in mind having it done, but need to get around to it. At present, the MAIN consideration is: Do I have what it takes to remove, send off, receive back, and reinstall the Unit, seeing as to how I have just turned 80 years old at the end of last January. In any case, Lorrie still functions normally, even with a bit of slop in her Steering.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any suggestions about this STRANGE situation. Hope this finds you all doing well, and taking excellent care.

JC

_________________
Lorrie Van Haul - 1967 Dodge - P200 Post Office Vehicle - 225 Slant Six - Torqueflite A727 Automatic Transmission - Right Hand Drive Steering - Big Three HEI System - Frantz Oil Cleaner System - Bendix Stromberg Model W Carburetor

JC,

You gave us with a cliff hanger. Where is the line; "tune in next week to see Miss Lorrie Van Haul pull out of her predicament"?


Hope all is well with you.

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.

82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp

07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

JC is now actively posting over on www.ramchargercentral.com

Lorrie is back to running and JC is in the middle of several major projects, such as getting the steering gearbox rebuilt, applying bedliner to the exterior, redesigning the front sheetmetal,and rebuilding the steering column.