There was a good article in Car Craft this month (Jan. 2009) regarding upgrading the steering box. My hose is leaking, it's just the excuse I need to upgrade/replace the box I have (since my engine is out). The highest recommended Saginaw power steering boxes they listed are below: Monte Carlo SS ---- `85 to `88 --- code YA --- Hard to find Fullsize Chevy F-41 - `88 to `90 -- code WZ --- What is a F-41? Camaro/Firebird --- `82 to `93 --- code WS Camaro with FE2 --- `85 to `93 --- code XH --- What's FE2? Anybody have experience with this project?
Craig, "F-41" is the code number for a heavy duty option often used in Police cruisers and Taxi Cabs. It would include stiffer springs, bigger brakes & sway bars, thicker radiator, HD alternator, larger wheels & tires, quicker stering box, etc. :Smarty: I read that article, too. Next trip to the junkyard I'm going to look for an old cop car. :beers2: BTW, my wife grew up in Richmond and I'm from Tidewater. Norfolk, to be exact. We're both Virginians by birth; Floridians by choice.:TU: Jeff in SW FLA
And these would just bolt on to a GM A-body? Mine leaks too. Where would one find the code? Stamped on the unit?
I read the Car Craft article, and I went through all this 3 years ago. There are small problems associated with all the swaps as pointed out in the CC article. I sent my original 66 power steering box and pump to Chip Woyner 2347 E. Kearney Springfield, MO 65803 www.powersteering.com He rebuilt made my original 24-1 box into a 12-1, and rebuilt my original pump to match the box, sold me new hoses, and taught me all about power steering set-ups (knowledge which I did not retain). But what I did retain is this, If you want to mess with all the hassle of trying to find used parts (then pray they actually work) and swap all of in, then maybe it will work out as you want and maybe it will need doing again to get it right, you can. But what I did is fool proof. And everyone who drives my car comments on the steering. It is great!! It comes back clean, black, like new, ready to bolt on and use with no problems, guaranteed. Chip is famous in other circles, that's how I found him. He is a good, honest, easy to talk to man and I highly recommend him and his company. The guy who did my front end alignment again this spring after I put all needed new parts in the front of my 66 drove it after he aligned it came back with a big smile, "There are NO old cars that drive like that" he says. Well we both know that was just paying a compliment, but if I do say so, it is impressive, I wish I would have done this many years ago. BTW I swapped a used "Quick ratio box" onto the car before I did the rebuilding thing and had problems. Mostly due to the pump and the box being mismatched, but the box was also less than perfect. I am thankful I found Chip. He's the Man!! with power, and manual, steering. This has been a non paid non political public service announcement. Mike
Here's a link to the buick performance article on how to do it. I put a 78 Camero RS steering box in my 64, other than having to buy a hose adapter it bolted right in. http://www.buickperformance.com/GSteering.htm Bruce
I have the 65 chevelle box from NPD. By far the best $200 I spent on the car. 2.6 turns lock to lock. Great box!! I just bought a second one for my 65 GS. I like new.
I got one out of an 87 GN. The input shaft is smaller in dia. so I wrapped teflon tape around it. $35 for the box and 10 to adapt my pressure hose to metric. I used my old pittman arm. Not too bad. PONCH
Yea I even had one of those in stock, from an 87 ss monte but I like new. My bud has that box in his 71 stage one vert. The GN box. Works fine.
Biggest thing to remeber is how much it affects turning radius, and the reuired hose adapters. Article was very informative. Most of the stamping marks are gone (just inked stamp) Helps to be a junkyard junkie.p
Mike ...I also used Chip for a rebuilt box and pump ...and yes he did mention that when changing gear box in most cases the pump has to slightly be modified for (if I remember correctly ) a lil bit more pressure . and many people neglect the pump on the switch . and besides no fuss no muss with line adapters and such ...
I've got a Monte SS box and shaft in the shed. I pulled this out of a running/driving car. If you are interested let me know.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is also a good one. Lots of good technical reference here: http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref29.html http://pwkeese.tripod.com/64ekly/A-CarFastRatioGear.htm http://www.geocities.com/skullmobile/steering.htm http://jeffd.50megs.com/Pump_valve_mod_page.htm
I've been running a "YA" box from a Monty SS for at least 15 years. Had new hoses made up, new rag joint, did the install and never looked back. Has worked flawless over all these years. When ever I drive an older "A" body that doesn't have the swapped out steering box, I feel like I'm driving a 5000 lb, 1960 Caddy! If your into actually driving your older A-body and not worried about being concourse correct, it's worth the swap!!
I did the Jeep cherokee box and it works great, the turning radius is the same. I got a hose adapter kit from Lee manufacturing and a new rag joint for the mismatched bolt sizes. Hope this helps.......Ward
I installed the faster ratio box from a GN into my '76 Century. I used Lee Manufacturing parts also. They supplied the insert adapters for the metric box, the correct rag joint adapter(which I believe is from a S10), and a new higher pressure regulator that replaces the one in your original pump. I believe I also had to swap the pitman arm from the original box. These boxes have pretty much the same turning radius as the factory so I didn't run into any problem there. One thing that struck me in an earlier reply was the wrapping of tape around the input shaft to make up for its smaller diameter sounds a little bit exciting to me. That is trouble looking for a place to happen. One of these days when you give the wheel a good hard turn trying to maneuver the car in a sticky situation the steering wheel will turn but the tape will give up and the wheels will stay pointed where they are and then who knows what. They didn't put all those splines on that shaft for fun. I wouldn't play games with steering or brakes.
Did you guys just call Lee Manufacturing?...I can't seem to find their website. I'm trying to rebuild my extra 67 power steering pump. I swapped over my quick ratio box, and now my pump is leaking, so I'd like to swap on my extra pump rebuilt with new gaskets and the higher pressure valve. I already have it disassembled. I emailed chip to ask if he could sell me those parts or rebuild me pump, but he said he couldn't help me o No: I don't know why he turned down my business..... anyway, I'm about to call Lee Manufacturing since it seems they don't have a website...
Yes I had to call also. Old school all the way. I got most of my info out of magazines. I found this which is a good phone number but the web site is bs: http://www.macraesbluebook.com/search/company.cfm?company=659918
Indeed, use this phone numbr 818-768-0371. I spoke with Tom at Lee Manufacturing. The "kit" was $87, and includes couplers and seats. I was told the rag joint will work, but I may have to switch the bolts so the steering wheel is not out 180 degrees (50/50 chance). I should get this kit next week.
