i am currently changing my 68 camaro from manual to power steering, i know that i need a new pitman arm and a coupler joint, my question is, does anyone know if there are interchangeable pitman arms that will fit my car, if so in what cars can they be found?
thanks.

There are two types of pitman arms for the power steering set up, both different than the manual set ups. Depending on if you have a fast ratio set up or standard will determine which arm you need. The fast ratio arm is 5 7/8" and the standard is 5 3/8". If your car is a Z28 you'll need the fast ratio for sure. Anyway, pitman arms from other Chevys may work, you can call any salvage yard and ask them to look in the interchangeable parts book to see what else would work for you. All the power steering boxes are the same.

------------------
George Thomas
1969 Camaro Z28 X77
http://members.aol.com/gthomas917/private/gt.htm

Most salvage yards may not help you much, they rarely remove the pitman arm but consider it part of the steerinn gear assembly. Lots of their sales are to repair wrecked vehicle and the pitman arm is a necessary part that without it would not make a sale. I have acquired a lot of steering gears over the year and always it included the pitman arm.

I once wanted a pitman arm and had to buy the whole steering gear to get it. They would not remove just the arm, not would they let me do it. Only cost $25 for the whole 605 gear.

The pitman arm on our cars is a wearing part, like the tie rod ends and ball joints. Unless money is really tight, I'd just buy a new/rebuilt one. I know they aren't cheap now, but a good investment.

Just my 2 cents.

------------------
Ray

68 SS Convertible
Corvette(77) Yellow
383 DFI Fuel Injection
on MiniRamII intake,
Trick Flow heads
700R4, 3.31 12bolt Posi
Guildstrand Mod
AGR 12:1 power steering

[This message has been edited by 68SSConvt (edited 02-16-2001).]

Check this out http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm