Hello everybody. I'm Terry. I have never belonged to any forum, so please treat me gently as this is all new to me. This whole idea was suggested by a well known poster, friend and S type owner known to this forum as Cass3958. I too have been working on a S type 3.8 1964 for a few years now. A recent problem with a Burman 2 power steering box, bought on a sudden desire to bin the Burman box in favour of the well known Ad west Marles variomatic power steering setup, really because I had a variomatic box 'in stock'. What I would like to determine is what car was this originally fitted to. I will attach some photos. But first, here is what I do know. 1/. the front sub frame must have a recess for the steering box. 2/. The steering idler must be changed at the same time as the steering box 3/. I do know how to overhaul a steering box and that there is a very good article covering this, on this very forum 4/.I'm aware that a 420 sub frame is most likely the best bet. 5/. My sub frame is new, it has mountings for both 3 & 4 bolt possibilities. 6/. I know the idler from a 420 fits perfectly and that the same reversed mounting pattern on a steering box would also fit perfectly. I hope the photos help you understand what I'm on about


The hole spacing is obviously different

The Allen bolt is 3/8" x 16tpi Whitworth. No

Note, not measured to centres.

Note, not measured to centres.

 

It could be from an October 1964 onward MkX. The first car in the world to be fitted with the Varamatic PAS. (correct name ~ Marles Varamatic Bendix power-assisted steering. Made under license in the UK by Adwest in Reading). The variable-ratio, power-assisted steering system based on an original design by an Australian, Arthur Bishop, and developed by the Bendix Corporation in the USA for automotive use. Its design was derived from an aircraft nose-wheel gear in the mid-1950s.

 

"What car does this box fit?"

It's an important question as these boxes were produced for several different cars and, although the working principle was the same, the dimensions, including positions of fitting holes and flanges, will vary. Probably, most of the unspecified Marles boxes around are from Land Rovers. Sadly, the Adwest company in Reading is no more; the factory bus stop is all that remains.

 

Terry is confused because of the layout of the bolt holes. The Adwest box he has, has three bolt holes as per the one fitted to the S type/420 but the holes do not line up with the holes in the Jaguar cross member. Also one of the holes has a thread inside which means the bolt must go through the cross member first then screw into the steering box. This is not how the Adwest attaches to the S Type cross member so he would like to know if anyone recognises which car this Adwest might come from. We know that the Mk10, 420G, 420, S Type, 240, 340, Rover P6b and the Aston Martin were all fitted with the Adwest but anyone know which one this bolt setup fits.
I was not aware that the Adwest was also fitted to the Land Rovers so thank you Pete.
Terry is looking to buy another Adwest box that will suit his new setup but selling this one without knowing which car it actually fits will be hard.

 

This is how fitted to the S Type. The 420 used a discreet Saginaw pump (1200psi). The S Type Hobourn Eaton pump attached to rear of Dynamo (1000psi)

 

There is a 420 front subframe complete with steering and suspension on ebay at the moment. I was tempted, but my requirement is far from urgent and it's not the best that I've seen (that is, there were a couple earlier in the year in decent condition and now I regret not buying one ).

 

Peter ~ If you decided to use the Saginaw pump you would run into space problems vs. the Squared up 420 nose. You would either have to use the Hobourn Eaton pump on the back of the Dynamo or go the Astra electric pump route.

 

I'd definitely go electric pump. Making space/minimising additions around the front of the Mk2 engine is a priority.