[ROBS6T8]

Thanks Rodder, I'm off to finish this thing! Looking forward to driving it and continuing with the build.

Robert

 

[ROBS6T8]

WOW!! What a difference. That's all I can say. It almost feels like my wife's RACK and pinion on her Nissan Murano. I couldn't resist... sorry. I had some issues when I was bleeding the system. The steering felt "choppy" when I was turning the wheels from left to right. It seemed to be caused by the idle rpm. I took it out for a test drive and all was good. Amazing difference. I had to grind a little off the box (R&R 3 times) that was fun but got easier every time i did it. After the final grind and painting, I installed it and it looked to have a good 1/8 inch clearance from the header. When I went for my test drive, the header was touching it and the paint was burning off. I didn't know they would expand that much! Everything was tight. I'll check this morning to see if my clearance is back.
Thanks to everyone on here for the help and input into this conversion. It's great!!

Robert

 

[ROBS6T8]

Okay, I went back out to the car and the header was still touching the box. So I didn't think the headers would expand like that. I'm thinking the engine mounts are loose or something to that nature. I'll drive it the opposite way and see if I can't get it to move back!! lol Then I'll check the all the mounts!

 

[burner]

Hi all, great info here! Before I get to my question I'll give a brief history of my ride- it was originally a '68 in-line 6 Standard Coupe with exhaust manifolds. I upgraded to a 383 stroker (and soon to be 408 stroker) with headers, first Flowtech Afterburners and now Hooker SuperComps. I had sloppy steering and an audible "thumping" at idle and low speeds which I attributed to header-to-steering box clearance. A few years back I worked on the sloppy steering by swapping in all new steering linkages, incuding Pitman and idler arms, and a new PS pump with braided flex lines. I have been thinking about upgrading the steering box to improve the handling and found this 3rd Gen string. Now for my questions:

1. Is there a smaller steering box that will not only improve handling on the road in turns/u-turns like the 3rd Gen box but also eliminate the "thumping" from the headers?

2. Does anyone know if the Flaming River 67-69 Camaro Power Rack & Pinion Conversion Kit (or any other rack & pinion set-up) will do anything different and/or better for handling than just the 3rd Gen steering box swap?

Thanks for all the help!
Earl
Ewa Beach, HI

 

[Hatya]

I just did this swap on sunday. As many other have posted i want to add a big WOW !! What an amazing upgrade, especially for the price and time involved. It took me 5 hours total, but that included running to the parts store to get a new drivers side mount and painting my nasty old headers. (new headers in the future).

Thanks for all that posted, this is a flat out MUST DO upgrade.

 

[am.mscl]

I have a question that seems obvious but can not find anyone mention it. I do not have power steering currently on my 68 and since I am going to have to get a Power steering pump and pulley with brackets; Can I just get the 3rd gen Z28/IROC power steering pump w/ resv and correct hoses for all 3rd gen? This would keep me from having to get the pressure fittings.

Thanks
Ray

 

[AintQik]

I almost did that mod this weekend but the box I got in from Advance Auto was not an Iroc box like it was supposed to be. Sent it back and going to go look for another

 

[chuckboy7]

Aintqik, Which part # did autozone get you? I'm doing this swap in a couple days and they carry the cardone unit #276550 which is what everybody is saying to get? Did you order this one and got the wrong one? I want to make sure they don't do that to me.

 

[JimM]

For Ray, the easiest is to get exact repro/replacement pump, hoses, and brackets for your engine configuration, that is, long water pump / pass side alternator get stuff for a 69, short pump - drivers side alt get 67-68 stuff.

For AintQik (Name?) and Jeoff, the "secret code word" is "with special suspension"
Ask for a steering box for a 1987 Camaro "with special suspension"
This is from an IROC, but the books do not list it that way.
The Z28 and RS use a different box.

1987 Camaro WITH special suspension

 

[Chevy1]

Help!!!!!

Have now installed two different rebuilt ps gearboxes of the same part number from Advanced Auto (for a 69) and still have steering with repetitive hard spots (feels like binding, can see steering column move when wheels are turned even with wheels jacked off ground and engine off). Installed the second box per instructions on this forum (1. tighten box to frame, 2. tighten flex coupler after aligning using plactic tabs or masking tape, 3. tighten column bolts to firewall, 4. tighten column bolts to dash).

My 69 was originally a 327 car that was modified when purchased (ZZ4, 4 wheel discs, 12 bolt posi, and more), so I don't know if the box in the car was original or not. The box I replaced it with is for a 69 (per Advanced Auto). The pitman arm on the car is 5.25" from center hole to center hole, so did my car already have the IROC box upgrade? Advanced Auto says stock 69 camaro pitman arm is 5.78" center hole to center hole.

When I purchased a new pressure side hose for a 69, it had the wrong male/female fittings and would not fit my car. However, the hoses currently on the car fit the 69 boxes I've installed (and obviously fit the box that I took off). Please help with root cause. Getting frustrated.

 

[cardr]

Ok, I've read all 14 pages twice

Are there any fittings that I can purchase that will screw into the 3rd gen box that are metric o-ring, 16mm and 18mm that have female SAE ends that will allow my standard PS lines to screw into? I'm talking small fittings that way there are no new hoses or making any new hoses.

I saw the multiple PS hoses everyone is listing, but at the bottom it says that they will not fit the 3rd gen box. What's the point in giving those numbers if they won't work. Maybe I'm missing something.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Melrose RS]

My Delphi 600 box came with these little aluminum mushroom-like adapters that seat in the hole and then the stock hoses bolted up.
Maybe the same as that will work for you(?) I'm not sure so maybe somebody else can confirm.

 

[cardr]

If those are like the ones folks are suggesting from Lee Manuf they just let the flare fittings seat in the o-ring fittings on the box. However you are still putting SAE threads into metric fittings on the box. This is what I want to avoid.

Suggestions?

Thanks

 

[JimM]

Ok, I've read all 14 pages twice

Are there any fittings that I can purchase that will screw into the 3rd gen box that are metric o-ring, 16mm and 18mm that have female SAE ends that will allow my standard PS lines to screw into? I'm talking small fittings that way there are no new hoses or making any new hoses.

I saw the multiple PS hoses everyone is listing, but at the bottom it says that they will not fit the 3rd gen box. What's the point in giving those numbers if they won't work. Maybe I'm missing something.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks,
Doug

In at least one of those 14 pages there is some discussion about some specific weatherhead brand fittings to do as you asked.

People did NOT have good luck with them, I don't recall why, reread it.

Some just can't accept the idea of screwing an SAE thread fitting into a metric threaded steering box, there has been much discussion from many about this imagined problem.

The stock camaro hoses will thread into the thirdgen steering box fittings just fine.
I would suggest:
Start both fittings once on the bench so the threads can "get to know eachother." It is MUCH easier to avoid crossthreading this way.

Use your old original stock fittings this first time, then follow that with the new ones you are going to use. (I stripped a fitting on a rockauto pressure hose the first time, in the car.)

The rockauto pressure hose is crap. Napa's is good.

The oem firstgen hoses with the Lee inserts works just fine.

If this really rubs you wrong, get custom hoses made with metric ends. That would be really ideal.

 

[JIML82]

As a retired steering engineer I have to admit that screwing conventional SAE threaded nuts into metric ports is a rather Bubba approach to system assembly. (BTW, engineers under my supervision actually designed the 16 and 18 mm pump and gear porting for the GM o-ring power steering hose connections. The metric ports went into production on all GM passenger cars and light trucks starting the 1980 model year.)

However, in defense of Tom Lee and his inserts, I have heard or read of only a very few problems with his aluminum inserts and mismatching hose nuts to gear and pump ports. The biggest problem seems in being able to press the inserts squarely into the port.

You will find that the M16x1.5 metric thread is so close to the 5/8-18 UNF that I believe that you can actually thread the 5/8 nut by hand.

The M18x1.5 metric thread has a slight interference with the 11/16-18 UNS thread and will require a wrench to persuade the two to go together.

Jim

 

[AintQik]

After receiving wrong boxes from the parts house, I just bit the bullet and bought the billet AGR box from Summit for $349. I'm in the military and not the richest dude around, but at some point trying to save a few hundred bucks just lost its appeal.

I'd order the right p/n only to get a box that was a lot closer to 3 turns or just over then 2.5. So, the whole rebuilt thing had me wondering. My box was 4.5 lock to lock, so almost anything was better, but I figure while I'm in there I might as well get something to compliment all the suspension mods I've done. So, I tried to do the 3 gen swap and failed I'm out of the game. Good luck to all!!!!

 

[67RSSS]

Great thread. I have a question regarding tilt steering as an option on the 67 camaro. What would the senario be for rag joint replacement. Does lees provide one for it or do we just swap the brackets that are on the old rag joint with his rag joint?

Chris.

 

[Journey]

I already have Power Steering, SO,,,,,,,,,,
If I order the Cardone box, all I will need to do is buy a rag joint, and the fittings?
Is this correct?
Pitman arm is the same?
Thanks

 

[JimM]

yup. Fitting adapters and ragjoint from Lee.
Pitman arms is the same, tho it is a wear point.

 

[ROBS6T8]

Great thread. I have a question regarding tilt steering as an option on the 67 camaro. What would the senario be for rag joint replacement. Does lees provide one for it or do we just swap the brackets that are on the old rag joint with his rag joint?

Chris.

I have tilt in my 68 and Lee's worked perfect.