71 Chassis restoration question

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Sep 12, 2009 | 05:35 PM

pbergmann

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Pro

Joined: Jan 2007

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From: Chandler Az

71 Chassis restoration question

I am in process of doing a body off resto on a small block coupe.

I would like some opinions on the difficulty level of rebuilding the following parts myself or spend the $$ and getting them rebuilt or buying rebuilt/new parts. Please list from 1 to 5 (5 being most difficult) based on your experiances. All items worked and did not leak prior to resto start.

Power steering pump
Power steering control valve
Power steering cylinder
Steering box

My my goal right now is NCRS top flight... maybe higher down the road. The car has limited upside so I can't be throwing money at things that I may be able to do myself. The car is a one owner 60k mile car 90% original but well worn.

Thanks in advance!
Pete

Sep 12, 2009 | 05:54 PM

Duke94

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 6,640

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From: Ann Arbor Michigan

The steering control valve and steering box are the most complex, but all are do-able. There is a ton of info on this Forum and the internet on rebuilding all of these. I rebuilt them all myself on my 71'.

Gary

Sep 12, 2009 | 07:23 PM

Artsvette73

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 1,991

Likes: 3

From: Piscataway NJ

The old saying is "if it aint broke" I would clean the items up and be done with it. The steering box I would take it apart and clean out all the old grease. Don't be intimadated by it just read Garys GTR1999 papers

Sep 12, 2009 | 07:34 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,235

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi Pete,
Since I have a 71 sb coupe too, I'd love to see some pictures of what you're working on!!!
Regards,
Alan

Sep 12, 2009 | 10:14 PM

boat196

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 897

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From: Green Valley Ca

I had my parts professionally rebuilt, I'm currently in a body off restoration. it makes the restoration progress faster.Their sure is alot to do and keep track of.

Bob

Sep 12, 2009 | 10:33 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

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From: Crossville TN

You can easily rebuild the steering control valve and cylinder for 'chump change'. The rebuild stuff is very inexpensive. If the steering box was working properly and did not have any 'slop' in the steering action, you can likely just refill the box with new lube and clean it up good. Some boxes get painted; some are bare cast iron. If you want to get 'Top Flight' rating it will have to be right and I would recommend that you have a professional rebuild it and refinish it. The most realistic look for a bare cast iron box would be to shoot the empty casting with Seymour 'Cast-Blast' exhaust manifold paint and then bake it to a natural cast iron finish that won't rust!
If your power steering pump was working fine and had no leaks, clean it up and repaint it. Rebuilding should be done by a pro, but only if it really needs it.

Sep 13, 2009 | 09:09 AM

pbergmann

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 641

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From: Chandler Az

Thanks for the replys. Its that old while I'm there syndrome...it never seems to stop. At least now I'm down to the chassis so someday the reassembly will start.

Sep 13, 2009 | 10:40 AM

72LS1Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 4,883

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From: North Easton Mass

with others in that if those parts aren't leaking just clean them up and put them back on. Changing the grease in the steering box is a good idea also.

If you have to rebuild the control valve, there are 2 rebuild kits available. One is the inexpensive seal kit for the fluid side and the other is a somewhat more expensive kit for the adapter side. If the ball end of the stud is worn or there are grooves in the sleeve then the adapter side should be rebuilt also. IIRC, the 2 kits cost $50.00 or so total. A rebuilt valve costs more like $170.00 so rebuilding was my first choice.