Does anyone know the part number for the kit (rag joint & line adaptors) that Lee Mfg sells for the 3rd gen IROC steering box swap on our first gens ? I want to put this on my '68. Does the kit include the bolt for the rag joint also ? Thanks, Ron

http://69camaro.nextmill.net/steering.html

Just call Lee (818) 768-0371. Whoever answers the phone there will KNOW exactly what you need. Yes, I believe the bolt is included, but ask them when you talk to them.

Be sure to "start" the hose fittings on the new box before you put the box in to get the threads used to each other, then take em off and mount the box.

what else do you need to do this swap..can i use my exsicting parts on a 69

check the link in the first post, is to Brian Lewis's write-up on this swao, and is the info many of us used to do it 2 years ago.

Short version, if you have power steering, you need a remanufactured steering box for an iroc-z (84-88 Camaro with "special Suspension") and the adapter kit from Lee.

If you don't have power steering, you will also need a pump, crank pulley, brackets, hoses, and a belt.

You can buy that rag from Rock auto for less than half what Lee wants for it. I just bought the hose adapters from them.

can i use a box out of an 89 camaro.......and can i just buy a rag joint kit out of classic or year one or do i need a special one. also i need the box for "special steering"?

will my stock lines work with the new box?.....also i see a coupler that i need ....how would i know which one to get if i went to napa....or should like i said just get the one from year one or classic ind..

I am in the middle of this swap right now. I have a unique set up that includes a late model pump and gear box. Called Lee and they were very helpful. They said I couldn't just use IROC hoses because they wouldn't be long enough. I needed the inserts for the pump and gearbox. I bought the rag joint from them, used my old pinch bolt with no problems.

I did have this question that was answered. I was told to use original style hoses. Of course they are SAE and the gearbox/pump is metric. I was under the impression that the inserts would somehow alleviate this problem. The inserts just "raise" the seating area for the lines. I called Lee and was assured that the SAE lines will thread into the metric gearbox/pump without any problems. Many people on this board have made this exact swap without any issues, so I am going with it.

Looks like this swap is getting popular again. Thatsa a good thing, it's a great swap, My 68 "feels" like an iroc when I turn the wheel, and thatsa good thing!
No more loosey goosey pinky power steering!

Read Brians writeup, it's complete and accurate, and there is very little to add to it.

Use the search function, too. The info is all here, over and over. Search for "thirdgen steering" and you will be enlightened.

The metric fittings are VERY close to the same size and thread pitch as the firstgen SAE fittings. They will go on. Do it the first time out of the car. Once they've been on once, they'll screw on real easy the next time.

The metric fittings in the box use a "reverse flare" The lee inserts adapt the flare seat to a "normal" 45 degree flare that is used on the firstgen hoses. The inserts make it seal.

The "best" steering box was used on thirdgen IROC-Z's and WS6 trans am's. The "secret" in the autoparts store computers is the term "special suspension"
This is a fast ratio, high effort box, and you'll love it.

http://69camaro.nextmill.net/steering.html

There is the link JimM mentions. If anyone feels it needs to be 'updated' for anything for example the price Lee charges for the kit then let me know. Rag Joint + Inserts from Lee come as a kit, it might cost a few dollars more ($10-$20) but it guarantees the right part. I used 5 layers of teflon tape on the threads before screwing them into the box in order to help promote a good solid connection.
As JimM also mentions, this is one of the single best upgrades you can do to your 1st gen. The cost is very affordable and the steering feel is perfect.

i just bought the kit today and the prices said by a few members were 65 but they now have gone up to 85+ shipping for the kit

[QUOTE=Brian Lewis]http://69camaro.nextmill.net/steering.html

If anyone feels it needs to be 'updated' for anything for example the price Lee charges for the kit then let me know. QUOTE]

Just an FYI, the weatherhead fittings recommended as a substitute for the Lee adapters will not work, the part # for the pressure side fiting has the wrong thread size, too small for hose.

Great, price for kit updated and notes weatherhead data moved towards bottom to not confuse readers.

FYI, using teflon tape on the power steering hose male nut threads will not seal the connection from leaking. The seal is the double 45 degree flare against the mating insert in the gear port. Or for gears and hoses in use since 1980, the appropriate metric o-ring hose to match the gear or pump port to seal correctly.

The more recent (1980+) metric o-ring gear and pump ports can be converted to adapt to the older 45 degree double flare hoses by using some aluminum inserts that are sold by Lee Manufacturing. Everything that I have read over the last couple years indicates that the Lee inserts work quite well.

As I remember, the smaller metric 16x1.5 mm nut will screw right into the 5/8-18 threaded port with your fingers (the threads sizes are that close).

The 18x1.5mm metric nut must be persuaded with a tubing wrench to screw into the 11/16-18 port. But it will thread in and work.

JIML82

I am of course using the Lee Inserts. The Teflon Tape just seemed to help the metric thead have a stronger connection when tightening.

I am starting on this conversion. I was wondering if anyone has had issues with leaking connections. I am thinking about buying 3rd gen hoses and have a shop that builds hydraulic hoses swap the standard fitting on the pump end of the hose. Is it necessary or are the inserts the solution?

Lee tells me there will not be a leakage problem.

BTW, my hoses did not thread into the gearbox very far. Only a couple rounds. I think I seated the fitting in all the way. They are in pretty tight. Any body else notice this?

If it's still all out of the car, you may want to try a ford tool on the inserts, see if you can get them in further, or at least make sure they have that nice "bottomed out ring" when you hit them. I don't remember how far mine went down, it's been a few years and many projercts ago, but it was more than a few turns.

I had some trouble with new autoparts store hoses. Tried it the first time with the steering box in the car, and it stripped the fitting on the pressure hose. As it was Sunday and no hoses in town, I ended up cutting the fitting off the original and new hoses, and double flaring the old fitting onto the new hose. Then I pulled the box and ran the fitting in on the bench where I could make sure it went in straight and I had some room to work. It's been fine, solid, and leak free since.

Mine also didn't thread in very far, but they are tight and don't leak.

I called Lee last Friday and ordered the kit ($ 87.00 + shipping = $ 94.00). I haven't bought the 3rd gen box yet, but the guy that I talked with said that there may be "check valves" where the lines screw into the unit, and that I should take something and pull them out; he said that I don't need them.

I've tried to read everything coming and going on this swap, and I don't recall seeing anything about removing check valves. Does anybody know about this ? Could this be why some people can't get much of the fittings threaded in, because they weren't removed ? How exactly should they be removed ?
Thanks, Ron.

If there is a check valve it is a small metal capsule that is pressed inside the steering gear pressure port (the port nearest the aluminum side cover). When you look down into the port, if it has a check valve you will see a small plate blocking the center of the port. You can take a small screwdriver and depress the plate a short distance. It is spring loaded up toward you.

I would think that the check valve should be deep enough into the port that the Lee adapter won't interfere with it.

Otherwise, you should be able to reach down depress the small plate and hook onto the capsule and pull it out.

JIML82

Just a note about the sterring boxes. I paid ~$155 through Rock auto. NAPA was about the same after taxes were added. Auto Zone and advance america were like $220. Shop around. Remeber to get "special steering" or "firm ride suspension" for the IROC box.

you can go to the junkyard and get a coupler off of a 78 camaro and it will work, if you go to the partstore and look through there catalog you can get an OEM hose that will screw into the box and be long enough to go to the pump, my friend found one, but i no longer have the part number