I just picked up the kit to replace my son's leaking system. Anyone done one of these? Do you like the steering upgrade? It does not seem that hard to install. He has a SBC with headers so hopefully that will not be a problem.

 

I have it in my 1981. its much better, only negative is I have sidepipes, so you have to wrap headers cause if you don't you will cook seal by pitman arm and have oil leaking on driveway.

 

Calling it an "upgrade" is a matter of opinion.

 

I have it. It's definitely an upgrade. No more leaky cylinder, less overall parts, less weight than stock system, and quick 12.7 to 1 steering ratio compared to the ship's wheel stock 17 to 1 ratio. Small block with headers no problem. Fits like factory, feels like a new car.

 

Definitely a up grade less moving parts closer ratio ,lighter a win win .

 

Getting rid of two hoses and the piston is absolutely an upgrade. You can do that with manual steering, too, but the Borgeson has a faster ratio.

Might be a bit of a tight fit with headers. I had to remove my steering column to collapse it without damaging the splines. YMMV.

 

It is definitely an upgrade over a worn out original steering system, I can’t speak to if it is better than a new iriginal style box. I have a 1970 big block with headers, it fits, but is close. Small blocks are… smaller, so he should be fine.

I had my original steering system fail and it went full lock out of the blue while driving, if you haven’t had your replaced in 50 years, I’d do something soon just for safety reasons.

 

I installed it on my 79. I agree it's an upgrade for sure. Buy the frame reinforcing bracket also. There are a couple good utube vids on the install.

 

I second the brace

 

Absolutely! But be careful on sharp left hand turns (usually in a parking lot). The inside of the front wheel will now rub on those bolt heads. Some folks use the stock (or replacement) carriage bolts instead, even with the brace.

 

We plan on getting the bracket.

 

Yeah, I still have to order the brace. Mark Pettersen ordered the brake calipers. I think the brakes calipers are in his shop. He stocks the borgeson coupler so I was planning on using a coupler instead of the rag joint. The glass is taking longer to setup even with a heat lamp directly on it. Not sure if the brakes came with hoses or not. Not a big deal he has CA/DOT approved brake stainless steel flexible brake lines in stock. I was thinking of taking out the brake reservoir. To get better access from the top. Also, will probably use the original carriage bolts just to keep it smooth on the turns.

The fender is coming along slowly (SMC is taking longer to set up than I would like it to). There is a little more glasswork to do on the passenger fender. Its slightly lower than the bumper cover at the fender ridge line. . Also, I have to order the side brackets to attach the nose. The front passenger side is missing some glass where the front bumper cover attaches to the fender on the side and lower section of the fender. I have to come up with a fix for that too. Some tried but gave up or was not fully wanting to do the job right.

I do not plan on ordering the lower valance brace. The fiberglass bumper cover seems is ridged enough. He can take care of that later on. if he wants to tackle that job. Plus there is no lower valiance. I have some gelcoat leftover from my previous restoration. I might use that on the bumper cover and where I did the glasswork on the fender. The bumper cover will have lots of glasswork done to it.

We are slowly getting there...

 

I have ordered the ridetech brace. Also, some more parts will be here this week. We should have it back on the road this month sometime.

 

Let us know your feedback on the new steering set-up after you've driven it a bit.

 

WIll do. He never got to drive it with the old steering setup not nothing for us to compare. Really, it came down to replace the valve or upgrade to a safer and better design (sorry NCRS guys/gals). The original rag joint was very brittle too. The previous owner tried to address it by installing a new ram shock or whatever it was called. It seemed he did not replace the valve which was leaking profusely on the garage floor.

 

I am very curious as to how this changes the feeling of driving the car, steering. On my to-do list for sure!

 

For me I noticed the car is not as "darty" on the highway. Very stable.l replaced the lower column bearing also.

 

The ratio change alone makes a big difference in the feel. I had the motor out and thought why not, glad I did the swap. My OEM system was leak free, but the box had a little play.

 

I agree with upgrade. My '67 has factory PS. My '72 was a manual steer car that was more like driving a truck. The bolts in the tilt/tele column has also come loose a couple times.

The borgeson has made it a much more pleasant driving car and a more modern feel than the '67

 

In regards to the frame brace bolts maybe grade 8 button head bolts would be better or maybe counter sink the brace for flat head grade 8 bolts?