I completed the upgrade of the Steering box on my 68 (previous) power steering unit. The old unit was in need of rebuild so decide to replace it with the updated box. Now my steering is tight, so tight that I liked the loose feel of my old steering better as i am no Arnold Swartzenegar. Although if i keep my RPM's up it get easier. So I assume it has to do with pressure.

Any solutions on how to increase the pressure to better the steering? I know there is a nut that retains an allen head bolt on top of the steering box, but not sure if that is the adjustment or if there is a better way to achieve what I am looking for. Hence asking anyoneone first before I destroy something I know little about.

Thanks for any suggestions or help!!

Mike

Which steering box did you use?

The "thirdgen box" that many of us use is a fast ratio, high effort box. I can turn mine with one hand easily enough, at least above idle, but certainly not with one pinky like the stocker.

Jim,

Mine turns but it is very difficult, almost like it doesnt have power steering unless I rev up the rpm's and then it seems to function better. It is one of the 3rd gen boxes.
I didnt mind the pinkey steer of the orginal box but I didnt think the upgrade to the 3rd gen box would be this much difference...

Two thoughts:
First, your pump might be worn out. However, it isn't a lack of pressure that is giving you a problem. It could be a lack of flow! When you rev up your engine, you are increasing the flow from the pump. You aren't doing a thing with respect to pressure.

Second, you might have gotten a fast ratio 12.7:1 gear from the following F-cars
1985 with Level IV suspension
1886 with FE2 suspension
1987 through 1993 with FE2 Level 1 suspension

All of these gears were quick ratio. However, they also came with arm buster 0.210 diameter torsion bars. These gears would almost feel like manual steering. Some people swear by the heavy feel. Others hate it.

If you still want a real quick 12.7 to 1 fast ratio gear but slightly lower effort you will need to ask for the following F-car gears.
1982, 83, 84, 85 Level III suspension
1986 Z28 without FE2 suspension
1987 through 1993 Z28

A slightly slower ratio (14:1) and slightly lower effort gear would be found in the following F-cars.
1980-81 Z28
1986 through 1993 F-car base

JIML82

although exactly those #.s and descriptions are hard to come by at a parts store counter, the first box Jim mentioned, the high effort box, is the one mentioned here a lot, a cardone rebuilt unit can't remember the #. THe steering effort of this box is pretty high.

Before you go shopping though, it might be worth looking a David's (http://www.pozziracing.com) site, and measuring your pitman and steering arms, particularly if you're getting less than 2 1/2 turns lock to lock.

A reasonable solution could be as simple as swapping a 5.75" pitman arm for a 5 1/4" peice.

Swapping pitman arms and steering knuckles will change your steering wheel to road wheel overall ratio. However, I would think that the biggest affect upon the overall effort would be the torsion bar inside the gear valve.

Jim

I just read about the steering pump valve mod to increase the pressure. I guess the old steering pumps dont pump enough to handle to updated Gen 3 steering box. I am going to give it a try and see if it fixes it.