Hi Guys,

Today I finally got around to install my new pitman arm. I knew I should have taken a picture before I removed the old one some 6 months ago.
How much clearance is there supposed to be between the pitman arm and the steering box when it's correctly installed? I now seem to have about half an inch clearance, is that too much? I just wonder if this aftermarked pitman arm is just a wee bit too tight?

Second question; How much torque, if any, is correct for the nut that connects the pitman arm to the rest of the steering gear? Or is it just meant to be finger tight and locked with the pin?

140 lbs/ft on the gearbox shaft/nut. Just torque it to that spec and the arm should seat itself properly on the gear box shaft. Here is pic of my old nasty one before I took it off.

http://www.mattlekawa.com/pictures/camaro/pitmanArmNut.jpg

Just to clarify, that 140 lbs/ft on pitman shaft nut. I am not 100% sure what it is on the pitman to center drag link but I'm thinking 35 lbs/ft. Check out this link and it may help..

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=147759&highlight=steering+coupling+nuts

Matt, that picture looks just about right. Thanks!

Re torque, my service manual says this:

"Position relay rod on to pitman arm. Install nut. Continue to tighten arm enough to align castellation with hole in stud and install cotter pin."

I'm not a native English speaker, but that does not sound like 30 lbs/ft to me. The assembly manual does not specify any torque as far as I have seen.
Am I supposed to have a washer under this nut? There were none there when I took it apart, and only the nut came with the new pitman arm.

My '67 had a lock washer, if that helps.

Matt, that picture looks just about right. Thanks!

Re torque, my service manual says this:

"Position relay rod on to pitman arm. Install nut. Continue to tighten arm enough to align castellation with hole in stud and install cotter pin."

I'm not a native English speaker, but that does not sound like 30 lbs/ft to me. The assembly manual does not specify any torque as far as I have seen.
Am I supposed to have a washer under this nut? There were none there when I took it apart, and only the nut came with the new pitman arm.

Yes, that's what my service manual says as well, but I happened to find that other post that states 35 lbs/ft. I would tighten by hand using a ratchet with some common sense making sure not to over tighten...

Sounds like a good idea. The nut is not going anywhere as long as the pin is installed.