I sure don't understand something from your photo of the manual gear and the modified 600 gear. It sure seems that if you align the mounting holes between the two gears that the modified gear will be much higher in the vehicle. That will cause very serious alignment problems with the steering column. It would seem that if you attach your steering column to a gear that is mounted so much higher that the steering wheel will be into the front seat!

I would think that with the welded , modified housing the 600 gear could have been designed to set the input shaft very close to the original manual gear. (The input shaft would still be further rearward in the car but it could have been the correct height.)

I know that there is a modified 600 gear to fit 1955, 56, 57 Chevrolets that look similar. Are you sure that you have the correct box?

Jim

 

I agree with Jim.
Your mounting looks off from the stock box. Your pitman arm would mount very low and your box is much higher than stock putting your steering input shaft higher than your steering column shaft.
I really like how secure your mounting is on that box when compared to my jeep box but my jeep box lined up perfectly with the stock box and my steering column shaft.
Check out the comparison.
Call up Concept one, looks like you may have gotten the wrong box or their design is lacking field experience/research.
Were you able to fit the pitman arm to the manual drag link? or did concept one give you a custom pitman arm?

Concept one you posted:


Jeep box from corvette steering compared to 1968 stock box
(click on each pic to enlarge)

 

The Concept One box uses the exact same pitman arm, only it is machined for a different spline - everything else is identical. It is also in the exact same location as the stock box. Everything lines up perfect under the car. I did double check with Concept One and they assured me it is the correct box. I'm going to attempt to put my steering column back in today or tomorrow... will keep you posted.

 

Just measure from a common mounting bolt hole up to the approximate centerline of the input shaft through the center of the gear. Compare the measurements between your original manual gear and the Concept One gear. If the two dimensions aren't pretty close to being the same, you are going to have a devil of a time getting the steering column to fit.

Maybe it's just the angle at which you took the picture of the two gears. The picture sure makes it look like the power gear is a lot longer than the original manual gear. I hope that this is the case.

Jim

 

Ok, getting close. The box is in and so is the steering column (after a slide mod to the mounting plate under the dash and drilling two new holes in the plate at the end of the column that mounts to the firewall). The angle from the input shaft and the steering column seems almost dead on - the joint barely moves when turning the wheel. I had a major problem with pulleys aligning, so gave up and went with a serpentine belt system from March Pulleys (really nice, but expensive - unfortunately I can no longer use the Concept One pump and had to switch to the Saginaw). Just need to hook up hoses and add fluid this weekend and keep my fingers crossed that it works. How much fluid does that Saginaw pump hold. Is there a special way to "prime" it?

 

Please don't let this post die out. I for one want to know how it drives out.

 

I'll have to put together a more detailed post, but for now just let me say unbelievable!

I finished the job earlier in the week (it was definitely a job, but well worth it), had the car aligned and took some runs on an autocross course on Saturday. The steering is amazing! I have been driving this car for 12 years with the manual box so I know all about "road feel" and this thing still has it. The 12.7 ratio was awesome in the saloms and it was so nice to be able to put the wheel where I wanted it. My times improved by 1.5 seconds on a 35 second half course. On the street, the steering is smooth and not overpowered.

I think I still have some air in the system, or my serpentine belt is slipping (might have gotten some power steering fluid on it) because I am getting a little noise at slow speed and under extremely hard jerking of the wheel. I'm going to change to a Dayco Poly Cog belt and see if that helps - they have some sort of cross grooves that are supposed to help.

 

Love your articles. You are what hot rodding is all about. I wish I lived closer to see some of your work. If you would like to come to Hot August Nights, you are welcome to stay here. We have a house in Reno Nevada with just my wife and I. I have a 1968 with Canam kit and a 1969 that was a show car and only hase 1084 miles on it. It has been modified with fender flairs and every thing else. I have a c4 front suspension and a 9 in. ford rearend for it. I plan to build a new frame for it and I have the parts for a blown 383 to put in it. Keep up the neet articles. I am going to put a hydroboost and a jeep steering in the 68. Thanks again. Don

 

Bump. Come on Witz, I'm still waiting on the "more detailed post"!

Seriously, I'm very interested in this conversion. Any news?

 

This is a great thread and I hate to see it die. I saw what looked like the same box in the Vette Brakes catalog.

 

 

news??????

 

You have certainly voiced your opinion on many subject in this forum but, I have never seen your Vette at any WSCC events in the SF Bay area. I LIKE the "Jeep" box and dont care for Steeriods! but, that is probably because I have been involved in installations of both products on freinds Corvettes. I hope to meet you one day to see you Vette preform, maybe at a WSCC autocross next year?

 

Ttt

 

There is nothing wrong with an integral power steering gear and linkage system to steer a car. Mercedes Benz and BMW big passenger cars were some of the last holdouts with integral power gears. Everybody eventually went to rack and pinion steering primarily to save weight. (Less weight - better fuel economy.)

The Saginaw 600 gear has a rack and pinion steering valve. The rest of the gear is manufactured using state of the art machining centers. The 600 gear is the latest (and most likely the last) integral power steering gear to be designed and manufactured here in the United States.

Finally. Yes, there are two less pivot points in a rack and pinion system as compared to a relay rod, idler arm, pitman arm system. I don't consider that to be much of a factor as to precise steering. Recirculating ***** are very efficient, precise, and smooth acting.

Jim

 

Do you have any pictures of this box installed? I want to put this on my mid-year. Thanks

 

I would like any feedback on this system.

 

ttt

 

I'm putting my 2 cents in here: for a guy who has only been posting for under a year and owns one C3 Vette you have a BIG OPINION on many subjects. I own 3 C3 Vettes and have the Corvette Steering Serivce "Jeep Box" conversion on one. I was lead to this conversion by one of the BEST Corvette repair mechanics I know (and have known ofr over 20years.) There are a few "Jeep box" kits running around and a few Steeriods rack and pinion conversions running around. I have never observed posts on "Jeep box" parts failure while I have observed posts on Steeriods bracket failures and issues. I LOVE! my "Jeep box" conversion on my 1970 LT-1 Vette as it allows me to be able to restore my VALUABLE C3 back to stock if I am so inclined to do so in the future. The collapsing of the steering column is no big issue and it dosen't affect saftey or steering feel. The "Mickey Mouse" steering shaft connections of the rack&pinion systems look like BIG TROUBLE to me many miles down the road. I'll keep doing "Jeep box" conversions and you keep believing that guy in Texas who sells Chinese made parts as USA made stuff. I guess you haven't been working on Vettes for as long as I have (over 25yrs) I used to like all that "trick junk" too when I was young and STUPID! Old age and expirience are worth a lot. You should bring that Green Vette out to some WSCC Competition events this year and show me if I'm wrong but, I know I'll never see you at the track.

 

Hello Jim and thanks for all your great information you have posted and work while employed at GM. I just wonder what you think of the double joints in the steering shaft going into the Steeriods rack system and the 1/8" thick mild steel mounting brackets for the steering shaft rod end mounts. I am not a big fan of this system because of this "feature" I hae also talked with Tom at Corvette steering Service and obtained a "rag joint" coupler for my "Jeep box" conversion after reading your thoughts on the subject (waiting for the car to get out of "body shop Prison" before installing my "rag joint".)