[AT] ford 800 vs 600 steering arm / bellhousing clearance

[Chris Britton]

I've bene looking at an 850 down the road, and thinking about getting it to 
hang a spare ford 711 1-arm loader on.

At issue is the clearance between the steering draglink and the bellhousing 
behind the starter, where a loader bracket will go.

On my 660 there is about 1.5" of clearance between the arm and the 
bellhousing... ont his 850.. there is about 1/2 " of clearance.. thusmaking 
the arm rub the bracket.

At first i thought the 850 had a narrowed axle.. but now that i drove over 
to see it again.. it's fronts are almost inline with the rears.. just like 
my 660.. except that draglink clearance issue... it's puzzling.... does the 
8xx have a bigger bellhousing than the 6xx? ( both are a 5spd.. etc.. )

I guess I can wident he axle onthe 850 for some clearance.. or cut and weld 
a piece of bar stock into the draglink to make clearance for the bracket.. 
but.. I'm just puzzled at the clearance differences.

Pitman arms and steering arm from the box look oem.. not bend or welded up 
on either unit.

On another note.. the 850 starts easilly.. idles ok, and has 30 psi op at 
mid throttle.. about 20 at idle.

I had hoped for higher oil pressure.. like my naa and 660 have ( 35-55 ).. 
but then.. This guy may have 10x30 oil in the sump too.. instead of the 30w 
I run.. etc.. may be old oil as well.

Though I'm not familiar with the 172 engines.. I'd guess they have the same 
lube internals as the 134's.. etc.

Brakes good.. radiator has some old solder repairs.. but looks like it holds 
water fine. No disturbing leaks.. and no water int he engine or hyd oil.. 
etc..

steering is good.. no slack..

comments welcome.

If anyone has both an 800 and 600 they can go look at.. I'd greatly 
appreciate you checking the clearance from the steering draglink rod to the 
boss ont he bellhousing with the 2 threaded holes in it, just aft of the 
starter, where a bracket could bolt to... and then compair to the other unit 
/ post info.

Anyone else got hundred series with oil pressure numbers in that range?

Soundguy