Alternative Steering Box in TC's

[Phil Dadd]

It had become a common practice to remove the Bishops Steering box and replace this with one from a Datsun (Nissan) 1200 or 120Y. Here in Australia many TC's are fitted with these and the result is regarded as excellent.
I fitted one to my TA in 1995 and it is probably the best thing that I have done to my car.
However the supply of these Datsun donor boxes is becoming less and I have heard of the use of one from a late model VW Beetle.
Has anyone had any experience with these and/or know where they may be obtained or in which form they are being sold ?
Many thanks,
Phil

[Warmuthb]

Sorry, no. A properly rebuilt bishops box works fine. Key is " Properly" rebuilt. Bushings and a bottom seal and new worm and peg where necessary, etc. if you have only driven a worn out original then you would want to convert...but really not necessary, I believe.

Brian W.

[Steve Simmons]

I have a Datsun box fitted and steering is much easier, as well as more stable on the highway. BUT, the feel of the car is dramatically changed, and the steering ratio is so low that it's a bit like driving a lorry. The VW boxes are basically the same, perhaps even lower ratio. There is a gentleman from Colorado on this list who sells VW conversions if you decide to go that route.

[Gene Gillam]

I have two TC's, one with the Datsun and one with the VW and love 'em both. I disagree with Steve that it feels like I'm driving a lorry - I feel like I'm driving a car instead of aiming one which is how the original BC boxes felt.

To each his own.

[John Frederick Cockrem]

I have had TC 2268 for nearly 50 years. The drop arm broke in about 1960 when owned by the previous owner.The rocker shaft broke in about 1968 just after I bought the car. The box was in "good nick" but had 2 failures. Fortunately no real damage or injury.Regular crack testing mandatory in those boxes! 2268and has had a Datsun box for 45 odd years, and although not as direct as the Bishop Cam dose wonders for one`s confidence. I believe extending the Datsun drop arm an inch is the go if you trust welding. Incidently a Melb Vic MGCC member has had a Datsun box fail due to a dodgy weld in the column...only neg I have heard. Yep the orig box is quick and direct but for peace of mind the Datsun for me and Gene Gillam is right,drive instead of aim! Cheers John Cockrem

[stephen stierman]

I have considered the change over to the VW box, but find the price of these kits to be a little steep. Has anyone actually converted the VW box to right hand drive themselves? It appears that you may just take it apart and insert the shaft from the other end. The rest of the items appear not to difficult to come up with or fabricate.

[Allan Wettenhall]

Don't do it Phil,I put a Datsun box in my TC years ago and hated it,and immediately converted it back. My TA had a Datsun box when I bought it and it was like driving a 56 Fairlane.Luckily all the parts are available to rebuild Bishop Cams,also try VMGP play reduction unit, they are excellent. And the bonus is your car is still an MG not a Hybrid.

[John R McNarry]

TC6338's Bishops Box was in terrible condition when I got the car. The worm was spalled and I got away with it for a while by turning the peg 90 degrees and dressing the worm. Since then I installed a VW conversion by Bud Silvers.
I just finished a great trip as in an above post. I couldn't have done it with the way it handled with the worn Bishops box.
I don't believe in making changes that aren't reversible. Perhaps someday it will get a Bishops box again but for now I like the way it steers.

[Warmuthb]

To each there own. I would use the original, properly and correctly rebuilt Bissops Cam box with a Thompsons conversion installed. Keeps the original character of the car....which to me is important.

Brian W.

[John Frederick Cockrem]

Thompsons kits are dangerous. The peg arm should bear along it`s length against the top of the box and the shims used to adjust the peg. Adjusting at the top of the shaft only can lead to a fracture of the arm with the usual consequences.
If the Bishop cam box is used get it right but don't modify it

John Cockrem TC2268

[Steve Simmons]

That's the first time I've hear the Tompkins (corrected spelling) kit labelled dangerous. I think it's fair to say that at least half of the TCs out there, probably more, have one installed.

[John Frederick Cockrem]

Is there a difference between the Thompsons Kit and the Tomkins Kit? I was thinking of the Tomkins kit where the arm can bend because the load is not evenly distributed over it`s length.

[Steve Simmons]

At first I thought it was a misspelling, but is there actually a Thompsons kit? I am only familiar with the Tompkins kit.

[Julian Evers]

I am firmly of the opinion that a knackered Bishop Cam should be replaced immediately and by a properly repaired and set up Bishop Cam. To paraphrase the the old saw, "If I had wanted a decent car, I would not have started with a TC". I should make clear I love mine to bits and have done over 120,000 miles in it but it is entirely a prewar design and was not exactly cutting edge technology when it first appeared as the TA/B. To substitute major components rather defeats the object of the exercise, there are better cars out there!

Back to less radical modifications, my car (TC3382) has always been in the UK and has an Autocraft steering box top which was fitted before I bought it in 1979. This contains a tapered needle roller bearing rather than the plain ball bearing in the Tomkins I have seen. Has anyone else got one of these fitted?

Best regards