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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / steady rods from 1939 don't fit a 59AB swap

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Discussion Topic: steady rods from 1939 don't fit a 59AB swap -- page: 1 2

MICHV8

04-18-2025 @ 5:23 PM

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I was able to remove the 39 steady rods using Mike Kubarth's ground bolt, but after I swapped in a 59AB the rods no longer fit. I marked each as I removed them and nothing other the engine swap is different. I tried to bend one to give it the right angle to the dimple, but no luck. So my question is...what will be the consequences of driving without them.? Bad vibration? chatter in all gears? or worse?
Thanks. I couldn't believe they didn't slip right back where they were before the swap...

This message was edited by MICHV8 on 4-18-25 @ 5:24 PM

carcrazy

04-18-2025 @ 11:08 PM

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Most likely the only problem will be clutch chatter when you engage the clutch.
Two ways to get around this problem are to either have new steady rods fabricated of the correct size to fit your application or go to a hydraulic clutch setup. If you go with the hydraulic clutch system with the clutch slave cylinder mounted to the transmission, you won't have to worry about relative motion occurring between the clutch linkage and the engine/transmission assembly as the clutch is engaged.

MICHV8

04-19-2025 @ 4:36 AM

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I don't have a way to heat the rods enough to bend them, but will try to find someone who can as I'd rather have the original setup...
Thanks for the reply

CharlieStephens

04-19-2025 @ 2:42 PM

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I bet if you put the rod in a vise you could bend it by using a monkey wrench, how much do you need to bend it?

Charlie Stephens

MICHV8

04-20-2025 @ 8:51 AM

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not much and I'll give it a try, but it is thick metal for a reason, right?

kubes40

04-20-2025 @ 12:45 PM

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If you bend them, it defeats their purpose. They must be STRAIGHT and TIGHTLY installed.

Also, I could be wrong, but I am nearly 100% certain these rods were used (only) through 1941. NOT after that.

Mike "Kube" Kubarth

CharlieStephens

04-20-2025 @ 1:09 PM

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Good point Mike, I was assuming only a slight bend.

Charlie Stephens

MICHV8

04-23-2025 @ 4:11 PM

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I did some research and it looks like 1940 was the last year. So I have a 1939 frame and a 59AB which does have the engine boss for the rod, but the angle back to the 1939 frame is slightly off and in addition the floor board sits proud and interrupts the line from the engine to the frame which doesn't allow a full insert into the concave frame receptacle. I tried driving the car without the steady rods today and will never do that again...ungodly shaking, especially in reverse. Is cutting and welding the last resort? Thanks everyone

carcrazy

04-23-2025 @ 7:36 PM

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Maybe you will be able to dimple the floor structure area to gain enough clearance for the rods.

marko39

04-24-2025 @ 5:19 AM

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there is a member of the ford barn who was making brackets for the steady rods for use on later engines. they didnt look like they would be too hard to make.

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