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Experts - If anyone has followed by resto thread, you will recall that I started with and for the most part still have a mess...so this weekend I was replacing the steering coupler and to do so needed to unbolt the steering gear. While crawling around under there, I saw for the first time that there is a power steering control valve. There is no P/S pump and the gear is definitely not a P/S gear. So, either it began life with P/S and the gear and pump were removed and the gear replaced with a non-P/S gear or else it began life as a non-P/S car and had the steering linkage replaced at some point with a set up for P/S. Based upon what I have encountered so far, that would not surprise me one bit.
So, my question is this: Is there any way of determining, aside from a build sheet which I don't have, what it started out as? Thanks for the help! Lee
What are you going to change it to? You can't leave that power steering valve there with manual steering.
If you stay with manual steering, you may be able remove all of the power steering bits, and bolt on a Borgeson adaptor to the end of your steering link. Or you can go with all-manual parts, including a proper (and rebuilt) manual steering link.
One clue to what your car came with might be the Pitman arm, which are different for manual and power steering cars, and the least likely component to have been replaced. Somewhere on this site is a post that shows the visual difference, if you can't read a part number on it.
The steering box is the same for power, or non-power, and my 53-73 parts book shows the assembly as part #7808927; however, #5677649 will show on the gear housing.
A manual Pitman arm will show part #3829451 de-bossed onto the part''s casting. A power steering Pitman arm will show part #3741383 on the casting.
The relay rod for power steering is part #3955512, and is known as a "5-hole relay rod". This should be what is mounted on your car since you have power steering components mounted. The relay rod for non-power steering is #3952707 and is known as a "3-hole relay rod. Unfortunately, the numbers aren't on the rods.
Your steering coupler looks totally incorrect. I think, currently findable, part #7818568 will work on your car, but please check me on this one.
I don't know if the part numbers go beyond '73. www.gmpartswiki.com could probably help by searching the numbers to see if they apply to years later than '73.
For what it's worth, I,m going to remove my '69's power steering system that I added many years ago, and go back to manual steering. I'm tired of power steering leaks! I had good luck purchasing manual steering components on eBay.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by REDONBLACK69; Dec 19, 2021 at 12:39 AM.
From your photos. You have what appears to be the factory ram cylinder and the bracket on the frame to mount it certainly looks original. Yes I would say this was a power steering car. I would install a pump, Tuff stuff makes a good one. New hoses. rebuild that control valve. and then see if that ram is still good. Another clue if engine is original????
is do you have the grove for the belt.
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Do you Want power steering or not?..you would notice not having it in a parking situation for sure. Otherwise you wouldnt until it leaks. I personally like it when its set correctly, but that is the trick
The setup looks factory as mentioned. Do you have any of the brackets for power steering on the motor or is everything missing? This is a big block if i remember correctly? Some of the things to consider is if you will be running A/C, do you want power steering, and what type of power steering. This typically uses the double groove pulley.
On my 72 i have the original setup as delivered from the factory. I did change my 81 to the Borgeson unit. I bought the re-enforcement bracket and pulled that bracket, ram, and valve off the car. You will retain the pitman arm. It's considered an upgrade, and it's feel is totally as expected. It's full power where these are power "assist".
No matter what you decide if you go with power steering you can't get away from the powersteering pump, brackets and pulley. For a big block those can get expensive. I have most all the power steering parts you need from another build I was doing for a 66 BBC, before going to LS. Since your local to me, If you need any pics or need to look at hands on your free to take a look.
The setup looks factory as mentioned. Do you have any of the brackets for power steering on the motor or is everything missing? This is a big block if i remember correctly? Some of the things to consider is if you will be running A/C, do you want power steering, and what type of power steering. This typically uses the double groove pulley.
On my 72 i have the original setup as delivered from the factory. I did change my 81 to the Borgeson unit. I bought the re-enforcement bracket and pulled that bracket, ram, and valve off the car. You will retain the pitman arm. It's considered an upgrade, and it's feel is totally as expected. It's full power where these are power "assist".
No matter what you decide if you go with power steering you can't get away from the powersteering pump, brackets and pulley. For a big block those can get expensive. I have most all the power steering parts you need from another build I was doing for a 66 BBC, before going to LS. Since your local to me, If you need any pics or need to look at hands on your free to take a look.
Thanks John - Yes, upon further inspection, it certainly looks like it had P/S from the factory. The pump and all of the bracketry are missing. It is a 427; however, this was a replacement for the factory 327. Also, the car did come with A/C; however, the compressor is missing and I was not planning on putting that back together.
I jumped on Zip Corvette to start pricing out the needed P/S components and it is looking like it is within a couple hundred bucks or so of a Borgeson setup. I hear really good things about the Borgeson unit, but I am a little hesitant on having to cut the steering shaft. Given that the cost difference between the two choices is nominal, what are y'all's thoughts on which way to go and am I making a bigger deal out of cutting the steering shaft than need be? Thanks--Lee
On my 66 i have the tele column and was going with aftermarket for that very reason of cutting. However, I thought and am NOT sure but was'nt 67 and up collapsible? If so, it would be tapping the shaft inward. You might verify, but if it can be tapped in, it's at least rebuildable as some will say it may be damaged. I'm not much help there on the 68 column.
On my 66 i have the tele column and was going with aftermarket for that very reason of cutting. However, I thought and am NOT sure but was'nt 67 and up collapsible? If so, it would be tapping the shaft inward. You might verify, but if it can be tapped in, it's at least rebuildable as some will say it may be damaged. I'm not much help there on the 68 column.
Yes, the '68 column is collapsible but in the little research I have done, there are those that warn against doing that. I haven't read enough yet to form my own opinion so if anyone out there is in the "advise against" camp, I would like to know the reasoning. Thanks--Lee
I've removed factory power steering from both of my cars. Now, no leaks! My 80 has a factory manual system pieced together from earlier C3 parts, and a @GTR1999-rebuilt steering box. My wife's 79 has the Borgeson conversion. They are very different solutions, and suit the nature of the cars, and drivers.
Here's the longest running Borgeson swap thread I'm aware of. I had to remove my steering column to collapse it, and while you can find folks who have opinions about everything, I consider that an acceptable solution.
I've removed factory power steering from both of my cars. Now, no leaks! My 80 has a factory manual system pieced together from earlier C3 parts, and a @GTR1999-rebuilt steering box. My wife's 79 has the Borgeson conversion. They are very different solutions, and suit the nature of the cars, and drivers.
Here's the longest running Borgeson swap thread I'm aware of. I had to remove my steering column to collapse it, and while you can find folks who have opinions about everything, I consider that an acceptable solution.
Power steering confusion
