Which steering system and a/c?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Which steering system and a/c?
I just picked up my first Corvette yesterday. It's an all numbers matching, low mileage 68 convertible L71 car. I love it!!! I did buy this car to enjoy though, not just as an investment, and I'm not looking sell the car. I want to keep the car as original as possible because it's still sporting it's original carpet along with everything else except a respray within the last 10 years or so.
I have to address the steering. I park in a side load garage and no p/s it is an awful PIA to put the car where I want it. I don't know much about steering systems though and I'm not sure whether to just do A) p/s conversion, B) rack and pinion conversion or C) spend twice the dough and do rack and pinion along with power? Some one please help me here as I'd like to order parts and get this done ASAP!
I also need A/C installed. Anyone particularly happy with a specific vendor/system? This looks like a pretty complicated install and I'm considering having this done instead of tackling it myself. Is this a job best left to pros?
Thank you,
Kevin
I have to address the steering. I park in a side load garage and no p/s it is an awful PIA to put the car where I want it. I don't know much about steering systems though and I'm not sure whether to just do A) p/s conversion, B) rack and pinion conversion or C) spend twice the dough and do rack and pinion along with power? Some one please help me here as I'd like to order parts and get this done ASAP!
I also need A/C installed. Anyone particularly happy with a specific vendor/system? This looks like a pretty complicated install and I'm considering having this done instead of tackling it myself. Is this a job best left to pros?
Thank you,
Kevin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
A/c, p/s
Kevin: Welcome to the forum. I have a silver 68 small block. I bought it in 1972. Regarding your power steering, you have three choices. You can go with an original system. Many of the vendors sell the kits. I have installed this on two of my cars. It is a day job. You can also go with a Borgenson system. It consists of a new steering box, pittman arm, pump and hoses. I believe the Borgenson install will require you to cut down your steering shaft by about an inch. Lastly, you could go with a power rack and pinion set up. You will also have to purchase a pump if you go this route. Do a search of the C-2 and C-3 forum as there is a wealth of information available. Regarding A/C, I installed Vintage Air in my 66. It took me about 20 hours. If I had to do it again, it would take about 10 hours to do. You can download the instructions from Vintage Air and see for yourself if it something you want to tackle on your own. If you do it on your own, you can clean up the dash area and do things like changing out the bulbs painting odds and ends etc. I don't know where you are from, but you may want to enjoy the car for the summer and do your installs in the winter. Your car may be tied up longer than you think waiting for a missing part. Good luck and do your research here on the forum. Jerry
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
My advice would be to add stock power assisted steering to your car. There is a conversion kit for this. It's bolt on using stock GM brackets, pullies, and hardware. A rack and pinion conversion would not meet your definition of keeping the car original as possible.
Vintage Air and other aftermarket providers offer add-on AC.
Vintage Air and other aftermarket providers offer add-on AC.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 21, 2016 at 03:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,281
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Kevin,
Welcome!
First Corvette! AND it's a 68 427 convertible! Well done!
If that's it in the photo, and based on your comments about you and the car, I'd say installing a stock power steering system is an o.k. idea but an aftermarket a/c system not quite so o.k..
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Welcome!
First Corvette! AND it's a 68 427 convertible! Well done!
If that's it in the photo, and based on your comments about you and the car, I'd say installing a stock power steering system is an o.k. idea but an aftermarket a/c system not quite so o.k..
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!!! 
Nice buy for sure!!! Post more photos, please. 68 is my favorite year, on my second one now.
My 2 cents: if yours is an all original L71, this is a highly desirable Corvette. I would leave it as is, or certainly only make easily reversible changes. Also IMHO, I suggest not doing anything for 6 months or so and enjoy it as is for awhile until you decide where you want to go with it. Factory power steering will work just fine I think if you decide to go that route.
Have Fun!!!
BTW, on a/c, I installed Vintage Air on both of the 68's I owned but they both did not have the originality nor the desirability of yours. If I had yours, I would install the original factory air setup which will work ok.
Nice buy for sure!!! Post more photos, please. 68 is my favorite year, on my second one now.
My 2 cents: if yours is an all original L71, this is a highly desirable Corvette. I would leave it as is, or certainly only make easily reversible changes. Also IMHO, I suggest not doing anything for 6 months or so and enjoy it as is for awhile until you decide where you want to go with it. Factory power steering will work just fine I think if you decide to go that route.
Have Fun!!!
BTW, on a/c, I installed Vintage Air on both of the 68's I owned but they both did not have the originality nor the desirability of yours. If I had yours, I would install the original factory air setup which will work ok.
Last edited by 20mercury; Jun 22, 2016 at 12:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Thank you!
Thank you all for the welcome, the opinions, and the well dones. I appreciate all of it.
That is it in the pic. I'll post more.
I will take your advice on the original power steering setup and do that. I'll get those parts ordered today and from what I've read here expect that conversion to go smoothly.
If I don't install a/c I can't drive the car here in Houston except for a couple of months per year at most. So it's a must. I realize that a car is only original once, but this one has been repainted in it's past, and the engine, transmission and diff have all just been rebuilt as well so it doesn't really qualify as a survivor. I figure any change I make can be undone at this point, am I wrong?
I got an estimate yesterday for Vintage Air installed at $3800 plus tax. So with that, looks like I'll be doing it myself. I plan to install the compressor one day, then the condenser one day, and keeping taking baby steps where I can leaving the car drivable during the lifespan of the project as much as I can.
Thanks again for all of the input!
That is it in the pic. I'll post more.
I will take your advice on the original power steering setup and do that. I'll get those parts ordered today and from what I've read here expect that conversion to go smoothly.
If I don't install a/c I can't drive the car here in Houston except for a couple of months per year at most. So it's a must. I realize that a car is only original once, but this one has been repainted in it's past, and the engine, transmission and diff have all just been rebuilt as well so it doesn't really qualify as a survivor. I figure any change I make can be undone at this point, am I wrong?
I got an estimate yesterday for Vintage Air installed at $3800 plus tax. So with that, looks like I'll be doing it myself. I plan to install the compressor one day, then the condenser one day, and keeping taking baby steps where I can leaving the car drivable during the lifespan of the project as much as I can.
Thanks again for all of the input!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,281
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Kevin,
It looks like a nice one!
Even though it may no longer be a car that would do well in Survivor or Bowtie judging I'd still be considerate in deciding just what you do or don't do to it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
It looks like a nice one!
Even though it may no longer be a car that would do well in Survivor or Bowtie judging I'd still be considerate in deciding just what you do or don't do to it.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 22, 2016 at 03:53 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Beautiful Corvette!!!
Thank you all for the welcome, the opinions, and the well dones. I appreciate all of it.
That is it in the pic. I'll post more.
I will take your advice on the original power steering setup and do that. I'll get those parts ordered today and from what I've read here expect that conversion to go smoothly.
If I don't install a/c I can't drive the car here in Houston except for a couple of months per year at most. So it's a must. I realize that a car is only original once, but this one has been repainted in it's past, and the engine, transmission and diff have all just been rebuilt as well so it doesn't really qualify as a survivor. I figure any change I make can be undone at this point, am I wrong?
I got an estimate yesterday for Vintage Air installed at $3800 plus tax. So with that, looks like I'll be doing it myself. I plan to install the compressor one day, then the condenser one day, and keeping taking baby steps where I can leaving the car drivable during the lifespan of the project as much as I can.
Thanks again for all of the input!
That is it in the pic. I'll post more.
I will take your advice on the original power steering setup and do that. I'll get those parts ordered today and from what I've read here expect that conversion to go smoothly.
If I don't install a/c I can't drive the car here in Houston except for a couple of months per year at most. So it's a must. I realize that a car is only original once, but this one has been repainted in it's past, and the engine, transmission and diff have all just been rebuilt as well so it doesn't really qualify as a survivor. I figure any change I make can be undone at this point, am I wrong?
I got an estimate yesterday for Vintage Air installed at $3800 plus tax. So with that, looks like I'll be doing it myself. I plan to install the compressor one day, then the condenser one day, and keeping taking baby steps where I can leaving the car drivable during the lifespan of the project as much as I can.
Thanks again for all of the input!
Beautiful Corvette!!! Much thanks for the photos!
Yep, I can relate for the need for a/c in Lafayette or Houston either one,
You might want to check out some Vintage Air installs and see how they look before you proceed. Vintage Air works great though! Wow, good to know the price for a VA install, makes sense though. I have installed 2 VA systems in 2 different 68's now and pretty straightforward I think, just carefully follow VA's instructions which are good I think. Also, VA tech will help you, just call. And of course, this forum will help too. Note, on the charge (which I did myself), follow the VA instructions to the letter, you can get 28oz in if you follow their instructions completely and get the designed cooling. Good luck and hope this helps. VA is reversible except for a small cutoff in the firewall and cutouts in your inner fender (for a non a/c Corvette). Save all of the old parts of course as someone may want them.All the best!
BTW, almost forgot, scroll down about 1/2 way and you can download and study VA installation instructions (if you have not already) and understand the install procedure before you buy:
http://www.vintageair.com/GM%20SureF...structions.asp
Last edited by 20mercury; Jun 23, 2016 at 01:00 PM.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words! I'll study those instructions for sure. Good to know you've successfully installed a couple of these in 68s, it gives me a bit more confidence in the install.
Power steering parts are ordered already, some fro Borgeson, some from Summit. Found the best pricing for Borgeson parts using both vendors. The steering box is out of stock though, hoping I don't have to wait too long.
Thanks all!
Power steering parts are ordered already, some fro Borgeson, some from Summit. Found the best pricing for Borgeson parts using both vendors. The steering box is out of stock though, hoping I don't have to wait too long.
Thanks all!
Beautiful Corvette!!! Much thanks for the photos!
Yep, I can relate for the need for a/c in Lafayette or Houston either one, You might want to check out some Vintage Air installs and see how they look before you proceed. Vintage Air works great though! Wow, good to know the price for a VA install, makes sense though. I have installed 2 VA systems in 2 different 68's now and pretty straightforward I think, just carefully follow VA's instructions which are good I think. Also, VA tech will help you, just call. And of course, this forum will help too. Note, on the charge (which I did myself), follow the VA instructions to the letter, you can get 28oz in if you follow their instructions completely and get the designed cooling. Good luck and hope this helps. VA is reversible except for a small cutoff in the firewall and cutouts in your inner fender (for a non a/c Corvette). Save all of the old parts of course as someone may want them.
All the best!
BTW, almost forgot, scroll down about 1/2 way and you can download and study VA installation instructions (if you have not already) and understand the install procedure before you buy:
http://www.vintageair.com/GM%20SureF...structions.asp
Yep, I can relate for the need for a/c in Lafayette or Houston either one,
You might want to check out some Vintage Air installs and see how they look before you proceed. Vintage Air works great though! Wow, good to know the price for a VA install, makes sense though. I have installed 2 VA systems in 2 different 68's now and pretty straightforward I think, just carefully follow VA's instructions which are good I think. Also, VA tech will help you, just call. And of course, this forum will help too. Note, on the charge (which I did myself), follow the VA instructions to the letter, you can get 28oz in if you follow their instructions completely and get the designed cooling. Good luck and hope this helps. VA is reversible except for a small cutoff in the firewall and cutouts in your inner fender (for a non a/c Corvette). Save all of the old parts of course as someone may want them.All the best!
BTW, almost forgot, scroll down about 1/2 way and you can download and study VA installation instructions (if you have not already) and understand the install procedure before you buy:
http://www.vintageair.com/GM%20SureF...structions.asp