power steering?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 7
From: Marshall, Mo
power steering?
I bought my '68 new on September 11, 1968, when I was 29 years old. The car is 427/390, four speed, with no power brakes or power steering. Well I am eighty years old and the steering at slow speeds and parking is pretty tough. The car is a numbers matching and other then replacing of wearable parts all original.
My question to you is, if I put on power steering have I hurt the value? Borgeson has a kit or I could gather the parts that would be like factory, but not original.
Thanks for listening, Ed.
My question to you is, if I put on power steering have I hurt the value? Borgeson has a kit or I could gather the parts that would be like factory, but not original.
Thanks for listening, Ed.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,156
Likes: 9,464
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
if you use all OEM parts and do it JUST like the factory NO one will know and the value will not be changed or might increase
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
yes, buy the oem kits and you will actually get back some of your investment at selling time.
in fact I have owned non power steering cars in the past.. bel air's and nova's.. and struggled to sell them.
https://www.zip-corvette.com/66-69-4...rsion-kit.html
in fact I have owned non power steering cars in the past.. bel air's and nova's.. and struggled to sell them.
https://www.zip-corvette.com/66-69-4...rsion-kit.html
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If steering is too difficult at slow speeds, just drive fast all the time! 
There are no records to define what options were/are on your car. So, just acquire all the P/S parts needed per the '68 AIM and have them installed. Power brakes? You really don't need them, if the brakes are working properly. If you have weakness in your legs, you CAN add it too in the same manner.
There are no records to define what options were/are on your car. So, just acquire all the P/S parts needed per the '68 AIM and have them installed. Power brakes? You really don't need them, if the brakes are working properly. If you have weakness in your legs, you CAN add it too in the same manner.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Just to throw another horseshoe in the pit. On some years but not all, the steering arm or knuckle coming off the spindle had two holes in it from the factory. The holes are for the Tie-Rod-Ends. One hole was for manual steering, the other hole was for PS. The location of the hole determined how much effort was needed to armstrong your way down the road. Your other arm goes around your 79 yr old girlfriend. You like them young right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 840
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Since your vehicle is a one owner and very original I would go OEM and save original parts. I believe PS would help the value since many potential buyers are somewhat older.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,261
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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2016 C3 of Year Finalist
All the parts to go to either borgeson or steeroids bolt on. IF your not selling then it doesnt matter. Put on whatever parts you want, save the original parts and be comfortable driving it. No sense worrying about value if it isnt for sale. You can always bolt on the original stuff if you decide to sell.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Land of Thunder
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
I've been debating this myself, 454 over manual steering ain't fun. I've about talked myself into it because it's bound to be more enjoyable to drive.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
My 70 L46 has power steering. My 70 LT1 doesn't. Does have a 5qt pan though. What a difference.
Be installing the borgeson ps in the spring.
Since ps isnt original to the car, I figure I'll use the updated version.
Be installing the borgeson ps in the spring.
Since ps isnt original to the car, I figure I'll use the updated version.
Last edited by dennis; Nov 18, 2019 at 06:58 AM.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,618
Likes: 7,068
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Cliff's Notes: (Rookie suggestions included)
Save ALL original parts that are removed from the car/make sure repair shop guarantees this.
Install power steering upgrade (it is better NOT to drill aftermarket holes in the frame/Make SURE the correct tie rod hole is used if the rod has 2 holes)
Install power brake booster/master cylinder if you need it (In Louisiana power brakes are a life-saver/IDIOT drivers!)
Have fun for the next 30 years!
Save ALL original parts that are removed from the car/make sure repair shop guarantees this.
Install power steering upgrade (it is better NOT to drill aftermarket holes in the frame/Make SURE the correct tie rod hole is used if the rod has 2 holes)
Install power brake booster/master cylinder if you need it (In Louisiana power brakes are a life-saver/IDIOT drivers!)
Have fun for the next 30 years!
Drifting
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 405
From: Brampton, Ontario Canada
Cliff's Notes: (Rookie suggestions included)
Save ALL original parts that are removed from the car/make sure repair shop guarantees this.
Install power steering upgrade (it is better NOT to drill aftermarket holes in the frame/Make SURE the correct tie rod hole is used if the rod has 2 holes)
Install power brake booster/master cylinder if you need it (In Louisiana power brakes are a life-saver/IDIOT drivers!)
Have fun for the next 30 years!
Save ALL original parts that are removed from the car/make sure repair shop guarantees this.
Install power steering upgrade (it is better NOT to drill aftermarket holes in the frame/Make SURE the correct tie rod hole is used if the rod has 2 holes)
Install power brake booster/master cylinder if you need it (In Louisiana power brakes are a life-saver/IDIOT drivers!)
Have fun for the next 30 years!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,261
Likes: 9,402
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Cliff's Notes: (Rookie suggestions included)
Save ALL original parts that are removed from the car/make sure repair shop guarantees this.
Install power steering upgrade (it is better NOT to drill aftermarket holes in the frame/Make SURE the correct tie rod hole is used if the rod has 2 holes)
Install power brake booster/master cylinder if you need it (In Louisiana power brakes are a life-saver/IDIOT drivers!)
Have fun for the next 30 years!
Save ALL original parts that are removed from the car/make sure repair shop guarantees this.
Install power steering upgrade (it is better NOT to drill aftermarket holes in the frame/Make SURE the correct tie rod hole is used if the rod has 2 holes)
Install power brake booster/master cylinder if you need it (In Louisiana power brakes are a life-saver/IDIOT drivers!)
Have fun for the next 30 years!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 7
From: Marshall, Mo
power steering
I will put on a stock power steering system. I wish now I kept my father's '65 3/4 ton GMC because when I had to fix the power steering I couldn't get parts from the auto parts store. Then I got looking at the Helms factory manual for the Corvette it was the same system. So I was able to get a rebuilt power ram for the Corvette to fix the GMC.
I have completely rebuilt all the original parts for the manual brakes and they work great.
I am looking forward to the next 30 years of driving it. ED
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
I like your decision. My '79 still has the factory power steering system, which I believe is the same system installed in 1968. I replaced the leaking power steering control valve, and the four hoses running to and from the control valve, and the system has been leak free and working great since...and that was five years ago.
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1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
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1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin