Hillman Super Minx steering box needed for my 1960 Husky. Aftermarket radiators, any options?

[hillmanhuskyguy]

Howdy from Colorado. The alignment shop says my Husky needs a new steering box. I'm running a complete Super Minx front suspension. Spent the day surfing Google looking for replacements or rebuild kits or basically any damn thing that'll help!

Also looking for a replacement radiator that would bolt into the Husky as well. We had it boiled cleaned etc. when I first got the car, electric fan mounted & working.
It's running hotter though after getting the Lotus twin-cam in. No shroud blocking off the surface area around the fan, know that doesn't help much. 195* on 90 degree days.

Thanks in advance.
Cris

 

[husky drvr]

Hi Cris,

Just for a refresh, you have a sI Husky that you used the front suspension and rear end from "Frizzle Fry's" Minx build with the Honda 2000 engine.


His car was a sVI Minx, not Super Minx.

The Minx and Super Minx are two different bodies. I'm not sure the steering gears are the same between the two bodies due to column length ( the column is part of the steering box and remains attached). There were a lot more Minx here in the US than there were ever Super Minx. I suggest you drop the word "Super" from your searches and concentrate on series IIIB, IIIC, V, and VI Minx steering or Husky sII or III steering which should all be the same.

Your box can probably be rebuilt depending on what is worn and why, but will require a machine shop to press and ream the bushes.

As for a radiator, one of the mid run Audax body sedans are the only ones that would be bolt ins, I think. The later sedans may have a slightly shorter core, top to bottom. These are only slightly larger than your current rad.

You might want to contact DanR on this forum and discuss having your radiator re-cored with a ""high performance" core.

For reference, a link to a members Super Minx Estate

https://forum.sunbeamalpine.org/index.php?attachments/image0-jpeg.32582/

Hope this helps,

 

[hillmanhuskyguy]

Howdy Don, thanks for keeping me straight, many have tried! You're absolutely correct
on where I found the bits that I used. I appreciated the input and your time sir.
I'll re-search again using the correct nomenclature.

Gonna change horses here for a moment or two, I'd also like to work on the frontend stance. Front ends too high and
the shocks are toast, as are most if not all the bushings etc. I assume.
I found a Company across the pond that different length springs for the fronts. But I don't want to go too low and not be able to turn the wheels
in either direction because I've buried the wheels into the fenders!
Take a look here:
https://sunbeamcarparts.co.uk/steering-and-suspension/front-suspension

I've got no clue if Tiger springs will work on Minx a-arm's, diameters etc..
The lowered alpine spring is 11" long. They've got a Tiger version that is 10.25 long with a 500 pound rated weight rating...

Cheers,
Cris

 

[hillmanhuskyguy]

Dropped off the radiator today for a high efficiency core install. Back to me in 3 or 4 weeks.

 

[husky drvr]

Dropped off the radiator today for a high efficiency core install. Back to me in 3 or 4 weeks.

Hi Cris,

Just curious if you've got any feedback and information about the new radiator core?

Any possibility of sharing information about wheels and suspension decisions, if your willing?

Have a good day,

 

[alpine_64]

I've got no clue if Tiger springs will work on Minx a-arm's, diameters etc..
The lowered alpine spring is 11" long. They've got a Tiger version that is 10.25 long with a 500 pound rated weight rating...

Cheers,
Cris

500lb springs in a minx would be very stiff I would think.. I've got the stiffer springs in my Tiger (450 iirc) and it's very firm.

The front suspension of a minx and alpine will swap directly, so I don't see any issues with the A arms.

Lowering the car might be achieved by using the late minx drop spindles....but .. your car may have them.. what year is it?

 

[husky drvr]

The front suspension of a minx and alpine will swap directly, so I don't see any issues with the A arms.

Hi Michael,

Cris has a sI Husky. He was able to acquire the crossmember and front suspension from Frizzle Fry's Project S2000 Minx (sVI Minx in the above picture) build and installed it into the Husky. I don't think he was lucky enough to get the special spindles, but even if he did, he desires a lower front stance. See his other posts in a separate thread.

I was just hoping for an update.

 

[hillmanhuskyguy]

Hi Cris,

Just curious if you've got any feedback and information about the new radiator core?

Any possibility of sharing information about wheels and suspension decisions, if your willing?

Have a good day,

Sorry I missed this post. Spent the weekend in one of those rear opening gown gizmos. Sorry (a.t.f.) if I offended anyone in Loveland Colorado. I picked up the new & improved rad' on Thursday last. Waaay more $'s than I thought it would be. But it's gorgeous & that's a lot of soldering to put the sides, top and the bottom back on. Shocks & springs are out of stock. Waiting on the Ping to order. I'll post everything I know.
I'm at a disadvantage currently though. Heard about raised spindles, once, to lower with but thought they were made out of un-obtainium & unavailable.

Cheers,
Cris

 

[alpine_64]

Sorry Heard about raised spindles, once, to lower with but thought they were made out of un-obtainium & unavailable.

Cheers,
Cris

They are rare stateside, but there are people who dog them up out of the various RHD markets and sell them... Often tageted at the Tiger crowd.. they drop an alpine/tiger around a little over an inch without any change to ride quality or steering geometry

 

[hillmanhuskyguy]

Well, that would be a really viable option then. I'm running the 'upfitted' shock conversion deal that was available for sale here in the rear.
So super stiff in front and willowy soft on the back would make for an evil handler. Guess I'm placing a wanted ad.

Thanks for the input, very much appreciated.