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Believe me, you don't want the stock system....nuff said......get the Borgeson setup, probably the least amount of work, and you will need to add a power steering pump, obviously....hopefully you can find the parts without going nutz......
Believe me, you don't want the stock system....nuff said......get the Borgeson setup, probably the least amount of work, and you will need to add a power steering pump, obviously....hopefully you can find the parts without going nutz......
why?? The stock system works great if correctly set up and maintained. I read more bad things about borgeson boxes then I ever did about the stock system. But I think C2-C3 are just fine with manual steering. But I guess I’m young and strong.
I have swapped the stock power steering system into my 1972. It all bolts right up! Don't be surprised if the valve or fluid lines leak a bit though especially since you will be buying used and things can easily get pushed/pulled during installation. Easy to replace and clean up if necessary and there are whole write ups on how to rebuild the valve if you are on a budget.
My two cents is that if you can find a GREAT condition original setup, throw it in there! You can save money and have a well-working P/S setup. If budget is an issue, you should piece it together and consider repairing/improving the parts that might leak. If you want the latest and greatest, then I'd ask other members about their experiences with aftermarket units. I have been more than happy with the stock setup and so far no problems!
After installation mine had a leak that repaired itself after a week so that was nice. Not sure the Borgesons have self-healing capabilities haha
The only part that leaked after my Borgeson install was the stock (but not original) steering pump. If it has a self-healing capability, it must be restricted to the Borgeson components.
The stock system is outdated. Borgeson is bolt up also. If you have factory PS and want to keep it, fine I have no issue with that line of thought. But if you are going from manual to PS why would you want a PS system designed in 1960 when you can have a modern gear? I stripped all that 60yo BS off my 79 & went with a 600 series steering gear. My system is not Borgeson so I am not advertising.
I have swapped the stock power steering system into my 1972. It all bolts right up! Don't be surprised if the valve or fluid lines leak a bit though especially since you will be buying used and things can easily get pushed/pulled during installation. Easy to replace and clean up if necessary and there are whole write ups on how to rebuild the valve if you are on a budget.
My two cents is that if you can find a GREAT condition original setup, throw it in there! You can save money and have a well-working P/S setup. If budget is an issue, you should piece it together and consider repairing/improving the parts that might leak. If you want the latest and greatest, then I'd ask other members about their experiences with aftermarket units. I have been more than happy with the stock setup and so far no problems!
After installation mine had a leak that repaired itself after a week so that was nice. Not sure the Borgesons have self-healing capabilities haha
That stock system is the hokiest conglomeration of parts I have ever seen. I would stay with manual steering before I put a 'stock' system on my car. Sorry, cheap is not better.
That stock system is the hokiest conglomeration of parts I have ever seen. I would stay with manual steering before I put a 'stock' system on my car. Sorry, cheap is not better.
Not saying cheap is better. I just that I think the stock system works well. Borgeson is better but I don't think the stock system is bad. It does its job and will definitely help folks who need to drive around tight parking lots often. I've had both manual and power and definitely prefer the stock power steering option. I've had no problems with it whatsoever and it's just a question of how fancy the OP wants to get.
Not saying cheap is better. I just that I think the stock system works well. Borgeson is better but I don't think the stock system is bad. It does its job and will definitely help folks who need to drive around tight parking lots often. I've had both manual and power and definitely prefer the stock power steering option. I've had no problems with it whatsoever and it's just a question of how fancy the OP wants to get.
I daily drove my 66 no power anything and wish i had that car today,
If my 69 leaks i will likely go cheap, my bb power steering brakets flipped would buy me a nice manual rod and arm and i can forget it.
What i dont like about borg and what in different context would be hailed a bubba hack job is to install it the collapsible column a safety feature has to be broken and modded by hammering it in to shorten it,
Its ironic in a hypocritical way a person can be all up in arms over liabilities concerning modding other safety areas on a c3 but ( because they like it ) the borg is okay modding.
I would like to hear jim sheas opinions on borg, until then i will look at it the way i do.
Sorry, you do not break the collapsible column when you install a Borgeson. You do break the plastic retainer that holds the lower rod where it is and steal maybe an inch of the collapse, but the column will still collapse in a massive front end collision. I have modernized my car, tubular A-arms, offset trailing arms, 600 series steering gear, SS brakes, etc. None of that was designed by GM either.
Edit - Went and found Jim's rite up on the 600 steering gear mod. Looks like he's fine with it.
Last edited by ratflinger; Apr 2, 2021 at 11:36 PM.
I'm looking to convert my 1974 L48 to power steering. Any advise or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I installed a Steeroids system in my 1972 road racer. I have heard good things about the Borgeson unit but opted for another brand and style. If budget is restricted then a stock unit beats the heck out of a manual steering setup in my opinion. You can install it, try it, and if you do not like it you can go another route. Nothing fatal about trying the stock unit and if you want something else change it again down the road. As far as bolting them up my Steeroids and the Rack Attack I have installed bolted right up as well.
Good luck with your decision and best regards,
David Howard
Not sure the Borgesons have self-healing capabilities haha
