Since my stimulus payment allowed me to get a new windshield & headliner, I figured I’d get a better steering wheel to max out the interior. The one I have came with the car, and it’s the cheapest Grant wheel and adapter the PO could find I'm sure. Although I like the look, it doesn’t always cancel the turn signals right, and it ‘catches’ every once-in-a-while in turns, not good. So I just bought this Falcon Sprint wheel on ebay. It’s a little larger in diameter than the one I have, so the steering should be easier for this old fart in a car with no power steering.
Might want to change the signal lever switch while it's apart - that should be the only thing that activates the cancel feature. Is the wheel 64 or 65, and is it factory or a repop? Did it come with the horn ring? Nice improvement either way.
I've got an almost new signal switch in there; it's the cheap Grant adapter that I think is the issue. Instead of the nice 'ramps' on the Ford cancelling cams, Grant uses two roll pins that you pound in to holes in the back of the adapter. Cheesy. It's a '65 alternator car repop, with the horn ring, spring and cancel cam.
Wheel arrived today, and it's nice. Larger diameter than the Grant wheel, and deeper dish- the ol' beer belly may be in the way! I'll install it tomorrow and report back.
It's in, and I think it looks great. No beer belly clearance issues, none of the gauges or indicator lights are blocked like they were with the smaller, thicker wheel, and the Ranchero is definitely easier to steer. I was disappointed at first when the horn didn't work, then I noticed there was a pretty big gap between the wheel & column. Loosened the column support, yanked the column up, and bingo, horn.
Made that myself, and have a pattern if anyone would like to make one. It's fastened with the 4-speed trim ring screws.
I sold the old wheel on CL today to a father who's son is helping him fix up a '65 Mustang so the kid will have a cool old car to cruise around in. Made me smile.
