Hi TC, i've notice my gear box is seeping fluid by the Rag Joint area. All other area seems to be dry. I have read your post on the upgraded 3rd Gen. box on a '69 Camaro and leaning toward installing it in my '69. I am new at this and would like to do it myself. Just need some confirmation. The parts that I will need is the Cardone #276550 Performance Suspension and Lee's kit (inserts and coupler). Everything else like the steering pump, return and pressure hoses and pitman arm should be original. Is there a way to avoid moving the steering column and my left side Headers (hedman) which is about 1/4 in. away? If I do end up removing my Headers, do I need to replace the gasket? Last question, how do I remove the Rag Joint? Sorry for ?? for the beginners. Thanks in advance, paul.

Paul:

I am a novice mechanic and I just completed the IROC box upgrade myself. My 67 has headders and I did it without pulling them. The rag joint is two nuts. Recommend a good cleaning with brake cleaner so you can see the parts. Here is how I did it.

1) Undo the hoses at the box and move out of the way.
2) Jack up car
3) Seperate the pittman arm (comes off the steering box) from the steering linkage.
4) Undo the three bolts that connect the box to the frame.
5) Undo the pinch bolt that holds the box to the rag joint.
6) Move the brake lines and drop the box.
7) Pull the pitman arm. Mine required a puller I borrowed from the parts store
8) Pull the old rag joint - two bolts
REASSEMBLY
1) Attach the new rag joint to the new box - old one will not fit
2) Slide the box assembly into place. Connect the new rag joint to the steering shaft and insert the three bolts from the frame. This was the hardest step for me due to header clearance issues
3) Bolt the old pittman arm to the new box
4) Bolt the pittman arm to the steering linkage
5) Lower the car
6) Pull the plastic plugs out of the box and put the adaptors from Lee into the holes
7) Bolt the hoses to the box. You will feel the hose bottom out so be careful.
8) Add powersteering fluid

Rob, i'll try to do this upgrade sometime this month - Thanks for the step by step procedure. Aloha, paul

Hi TC, I just received the Lee's kit and got my Cardone 276550. I'm planning on installing it in a couple days. I noticed there was 2 o-rings that came with the Gear box. Do I need to install these? Also, noticed on the Rag Joint from Lee's one of the bolt is Brass. Do I need to install the Rag Jt. a certain way or it only goes in one way. Thanks again, paul.

With the steering wheel centered, the pinch bolt head shoud be pointing up on the drivers side of the shaft.

The o-rings were for metric power steering hoses with o-ring connectors. The Lee aluminum inserts press into the gear ports and eliminate the need for those o-rings. You can use your original hoses with tube ends that have 45 degree flares.

The flexible coupling (aka rag joint) should only install on the gear one way. There should be a flat on the gear input shaft and a matching flat on the flexible coupling flange that attaches to it.

Good luck,
JIML82

thanks for the info. paul.

On the headers - it depends on which kind of headers you have. I had to loosen and swing my Hookers out of the way - no need to completely remove. With my new Doug's headers, I think I could leave them as is.

On the header gasket - You can try re-using your gasket. If it leaks, then it's an easy job to replace it. I've re-used my gaskets more than once without issue.

On the steering column - I don't see the need to slide the column back. I didn't have to on my 69.

Be careful when lying on your back and installing the box. They're quite heavy and you don't want it crashing down on your melon.

Hi Al, thanks for your input. I'm running Hedman Headers and it's about 1/8 inch away from the Gear Box. I'm planning on doing this tomorrow - let you guys know how it comes out.

I installed the 3rd Gen. box today. I was not able to get the Pitman Arm loose from the linkage. How do you guys do it? So, I did the replacement with it there. I also didn't need to touch my headers or steering column. It just took a little bit of patience on my part. I still havn't done a test drive, but by bleeding the system I could already feel the difference. I'm having a Transmission problem thats preventing me from driving right now. I'll let you guys know how it rides. Thanks again for your help. paul.

I'm back...Thanks again to all who responded. The only additional part needed after replacement of Return and Press. hoses was the male to male fitting that goes on the PS pump pressure side. I was able to get one from Checkers under a '68 Camaro's Press hose. I'm glad I did this upgrade cause the "Road Feel" is awesome.

congrats on the install! you now belong to a growing group of fans of the 3rd gen swap!