Hope someone can help- I have a 67 camaro RS Convertible with Power Steering. The entire front end was just recently replaced, ball joints, tie rods,inner outer, bushings...

I thought that might make the steering tighter, have come to learn that its the steering box that will control that.

Does anyone know what steering box I can replace my stock one with-that will give the car a more modern firmness? People ahve mentioned 3rd gen boxes...

I want something that will fit right in place- without a whole bunch of extra-work that this swap may create? Brand and part number is appreciated.

Many thanks!

JOe

this tech article, by member Brian Lewis, explains it all, including sources and part #'s:
http://69camaro.nextmill.net/steering.html

This is great-so is this really all I need for putting on a 67?

This is a great help...sounds too good- assume there will be a night and difference in the steering?

many thanks!
Faninc

Yup,


I did this conversion through Brians info and it worked great. Much better than spending over 400 for just the box from AGR. The steering difference is unbelievable. Be forewarned though. If you go with the longer pitman arm you are going to have to adjust to the way you steer. First trip down the road I nearly put the car in the weeds when I turned the wheel. It was very very sensitive and responsive to the slighest turn. You may want to consider sticking with the short arm. My car is slightly over 2 turns lock to lock with the third gen box and longer pitman arm.

with the short arm, mine is about 2.5 turns lock to lock. Feel and response is great, like a new high performance car.

These boxes are very stiff high feel units. They don't self center very well. Dail in a lot of caster... 3-4 degrees will help the self-centering a lot.

Jim,

Did you drill out the orfice in the power steering pump?
I had the return to center problem and hard steering when parking. Called Lee he told me to drill out the orifice, using a machinist drill bit. It works wel now.

Billy

I'm running the original pump, and did not drill out the orifice.

No complaints about the power assist at idle, although this is for sure NOT a pinkie steer box. With 3.5 degrees of caster, the self centering is not much of an issue. If you let go of the wheel while in a slight freeway speed turn, it will continue to turn, so I jus don't do that.

Jim,

Check and see if SPEEDWAY out of Lincoln, NE sell's them w/o a core charge b/c I got mine from them years ago for not much money at all.

I think it was rebuilt by DUREX if I remember right...

pdq67

Hey billy,

Found the article on steering that you suggested and you in the same place. Thanks for the info.

I read the tech article and beings my car is manual steering, I will be needing a power steering pump. I assume that the stock BB pump and pulley will be enough to operate this box.

I was wondering if my headers will be a problem going manual to power assisted steering.

What is considered to be the short arm? Is it a 69 standard power steering pitman arm? I want to stay out of the weeds!! Phil

Phil,

There is always a clearance problem with first generation clearances because of the rear steer and the steering box between the frame and motor.
I have a small block but I have looked at big block cars and there seems to be adaquate room. The big block looks to set higher. I used Sanderson headers on mine and I still had to finesse the headers a little.
The stock power stering pump will work fine but you may need to drill the orifice out to fine tune to your tire size. You'll be happy with the way the car drives after the modification.

Billy

And if it's unsafe to drive, you can do like Billy and just sit in it in your underwear and make vrooming noises.

Sorry Billy, but that image of you in the garage in your undies is going to stick with me a while...

Eric,

Let me set the record straight. The only time you can get in trouble for sitting in a Camaro in your underware and making vroom noises is if you dont own it!! Phil :hurray: :D :hurray:


Thanks for the help

Eric,

I thought you were going to come back to our space at Carlisle.
Good to have met you. Maybe we'll see each other again. Enjoyed your conversation and Good laughs.
Sometimes you have an Idea that just can't wait till morning.

Ciphering doesn't know a time.

The part that I had with me is being laser cut. Also what do you think about silver bulbs instead of amber bulbs. The silver bulbs light up amber. Since you are Picky, thought you may want another option.

Robin's laughing too!! She says Hi

See Ya

Well, finally got all my parts the other day and completed the job except for the stock clamps today.

I changed my steel headers to the Hooker ceramic coated and decided to change the steering box from manual to power.

I paid $113+25 core charge for the steering box and also bought the Moog K6582 pitman arm from Rock auto. The parts were at my house in 2 days. The Rag joint and inserts from Lee manufacturing are up to almost $90 now.

I was able to install the new gear box with coupling attached and did not have to loosen up the steering column with the driver's side header removed on my 396. I was suprised on just how easy of install this was.

My biggest regret was I installed the passenger side header first and noticed that I had lost some ability to raise the motor with the header installed. I pulled both headers off first and was waiting for the inserts & coupling from Lee. So I thought I could save some time and installed the pass side. I thought at one point that I might have to take it back off. Im glad that I upgraded my jack stands last year to a meaty 6 ton pair. I had to close the hood so it wouldnt hit the ceiling. Raising the car, I finally got the angle needed to get by the steering box.

Cardone recommends bleeding the pressure line and then hooking it up to gear box. Then, leaving the return line plugged on the pump and bleeding through the gear box with the return line in a container. "failure to do this will void your warranty" I bled with the return line into a container and really wonder how this was beneficial. I removed the pump bracket so to have a clear shot at the return line fitting and once I pulled the plastic cap on the return line fitting, my hands are now full of power steering fluid. Of course, the first attempt was a failure. The angry second attempt worked like a charm.

Any way, the headers look nice and what a big difference in engine compartment temperature. I turned the steering wheel and wow, unbelievable, like cutting warm butter. I turned the wheel back and forth to bleed and had no whining like there could be air in the system. I was tempted to drive it but no exhaust system hooked up yet.

Thanks for the information for the conversion and Thanks Billy, for answering my questions. This is probably the best thing that I have done on my car and I cant wait to drive it. Phil