My engine is out and being built so, while I have easy access to the steering gear ~ Is there a way to easily convert the stock mess with slave cylinder and hoses to something more reliable & less busy???

 

have you looked into the Borgeson steering box, lots of threads on this site you can search for

https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/home.php?cat=49

 

That's a nice upgrade but, it doesn't actually do away with the old slave cylinder assembly does it?

 

yes it does, your existing pump, two hoses from the pump to the box, thats it, no cylinder no valve

 

Or you could make it very simple and go to manual steering. I did, and I love it.

 

That would certainly clean it up a bit but, it seems like a step back...

What do you love about it, the look ?

I believe it was Bobby Bouche's momma that said~ "Manual steering is the DEVIL"

 

What I love about it is that when I drive on curvy roads, the car responds immediately to steering input, and the resistance or force required to turn the wheel is minimal...i.e. it takes nothing to drive it. I absolutely cannot understand why people think manual steering is a step backward. In tighter turns, the resistance is slightly higher, and provides a road feel proportionate to the turn you are in.

As for parking, its heavier, but unless you are a girl, or are physically challenged, its not something that is not easily overcome, given the benefit of the simplicity, and the performance.

With factory power steering, WITH ALL NEW PARTS and Gary Ramadei built box, there was an obvious, and somewhat scary deadband and unpredictability that in no way was appropriate for a sports car. I had to lose that handicap.

In my opinion, the ONLY advantage a Borgeson unit or rack and pinion would have is that I could one hand it in a parking scenario, otherwise, I don't see how it could be any better than my manual steering, and that would return the need for a power steering pump, fluids, etc. I prefer stuff as simple as it gets, which is one reason I own a 77 and not a 2017.

I honestly believe that the issues people have with factory manual steering are exaggerated. Anything over five mph, the car can be driven one handed, and operates very well in terms of handling. I actually was shocked how easy it was.

NOTE: I still have the tie-rods in the forward hole on spindle, retaining the higher steering ratio.....and supposedly making more turning force....and I still think its irrelevant.....AND, I have factory 14 inch steering wheel, providing less leverage,....AND I still thinks its irrelevant.

I believe the hype against manual steering is based on myth, not any real issue with driving the car. There is a difference between reality and a bunch of guys talking about it.

 

My '72 convertible was a manual steering car. It was my daily driver from the late 1980's through the early '90's.

I am not going to say I hated it, but it was never as pleasurable to drive as my power steering equipped '67.

The '72 now has a borgeson steering box. It's like a whole new car.

YMMV