Manual Steering To Power Steering Project (PICS)

[BigPhil66]

I hope that this post is in the correct thread as I am a newbie here. I am converting from manual to power steering like the title says and thought that I would share a few pics.

I made some good progress today so here are the pics.
This first pic is of the old crusty manual power steering box


This next pic is of the new mounting bracket with another one the other side of the chassis rail for support and to allow mounting of the larger power steering box


Now I needed to cut the old rag joint off and shorten the steering shaft.

Rag joint gone.

New Rag joint/ steering shaft adapter

New Rag joint that connects the shaft to the box.

This last pic is of the new/used power steering box and rag joint mounted. After I took this pic I connected the pitman arm seen at the bottom of the box.


Trying to hold that power steering box up and screw the bolts in from the other side of the chassis was quite challenging by myself and I might be useless tomorrow...lol

I still need to weld or bolt the shaft to the adapter and mount the pump along with installing the lines. Thanks for looking...

[BigPhil66]

Wow....is this a super easy and popular mod that 65 views and nobody has commented on it? I thought I would at least get one comment...no love for the newbie...: )

[Captainfab]

Well yes most everyone does this upgrade to their truck. I believe there is already a thread showing this in the regular '60-'66 section. So sorry but this isn't something new.

[BigPhil66]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Well yes most everyone does this upgrade to their truck. I believe there is already a thread showing this in the regular '60-'66 section. So sorry but this isn't something new.

Yea...its cool. I was just playing but thanks for posting...: )

[JRBECK64]

Did you get the braket kit from CPP? Thats the one I used on my Son's 64.

JRBECK64

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. Post #144 on the following thread provides a good idea on how to maximize the welded connection. The post number is shown in the upper right corner of each segment:

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...=373970&page=6

[neto]

Great Job! Where did you get the new rag joint? I've done the convertion but need the rag joint still. Thanks

[BigPhil66]

Originally Posted by JRBECK64

Did you get the braket kit from CPP? Thats the one I used on my Son's 64.

JRBECK64

Um...not sure where my Dad picked it up but I know he got it online.

Originally Posted by markeb01

Welcome to the forum. Post #144 on the following thread provides a good idea on how to maximize the welded connection. The post number is shown in the upper right corner of each segment:

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...=373970&page=6

Thanks for the welcome, I will check out that thread and thanks for the advice on how to navigate.

Originally Posted by neto

Great Job! Where did you get the new rag joint? I've done the convertion but need the rag joint still. Thanks

Thank you. I got the ragjoint adapter from Brothers Truck Parts in Corona Calif. I do have the adpter half of the ragjoint/adapter that came with the bracket kit that I might get rid of. I couldn't use it because it has two flat sides and my steering shaft was round. I was told that the rag joint from 66 is the same as the later models but I don't know for sure...maybe someone that knows can chime in.

[63sbssbbw]

Nice install Phil
143 views now,I think folks are looking in to make sure you did it right,wink wink
after all it's only your steering!
As you'll find, the people here seem to look out for each other,If ya did it right you'll hear about it and if ya did it wrong you'll hear about it too.
btw,welcome to the forum,you'll like it here
T

[BigPhil66]

Originally Posted by 63sbssbbw

Nice install Phil
143 views now,I think folks are looking in to make sure you did it right,wink wink
after all it's only your steering!
As you'll find, the people here seem to look out for each other,If ya did it right you'll hear about it and if ya did it wrong you'll hear about it too.
btw,welcome to the forum,you'll like it here
T

Thanks... I'm glad folks are looking out for a brother...lol I hope they tell me when I am doing good more than when I am doing bad. Thanks for the welcome.

[63sbssbbw]

What's your future plans for it Phil?
As you'll soon discover,everyone on this board is a pic 'ho. LOL
Overall pics of your truck would be cool too.(see,I told ya)
T

[BigPhil66]

Originally Posted by 63sbssbbw

What's your future plans for it Phil?
As you'll soon discover,everyone on this board is a pic 'ho. LOL
Overall pics of your truck would be cool too.(see,I told ya)
T

Right now...I want to drive it around like a rat rod and just do things slowly. I want to concentrate on getting solid mechanically first. After the steering I am fixing a trans leak and putting a new shifter on. Oh yea, I love me some pics too. Here is a link to my first port with a couple pics.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=416062

[63sbssbbw]

Looks like a great starting point.
That's way too nice to be rat rod.
Those slots look good on there
T

[BigPhil66]

Originally Posted by 63sbssbbw

Looks like a great starting point.
That's way too nice to be rat rod.
Those slots look good on there
T

Thanks T. I think that the pic makes her look better than she is but she is in good shape. I have begun distressing the paint to let the original blue come through like a high dollar paint job or just an old beat up truck paint job...lol I don't like the silver so I am knocking down the shine as well. The slots are ok but I have some 17" Eagle Alloy 206's that I scored and i am going to see how they look on there.

[63sbssbbw]

Those Eagles should look good on there.
Distressing paint sounds like a lot of elbow grease! lol
With this being the projects and build section Don't forget to post up pics as you progress(much like you did with your PS upgrade),kind of like an online photo album of what you've accomplished,changed and improved.
What you put here may also be of interest to prospective buyers that you may encounter in the future.(god forbid)
Another good reason to chronicle your build here is that it will always be here,so that when your cumputer takes a dive (and takes 90% of your pics with it,ask me how I know this LOL)all your stuff will still be here.
Have fun, it's only metal
T

[BigPhil66]

I sure could use some help finding a bracket for the power steering pump. Nothing that I have found is working because the pump sits too far forward past the pullys of the motor. I need something that will make it sit to the side and back or down below and back....anyone know what i need or part number? Thanks in advance.

[bubba327]

What motor are you trying to find a bracket for?
Small block stuff is pretty easy to find in most wrecking yards ,
Inline sixes take some luck and Creativity..
Not many trucks had a inline six with power steering.
Novas and Camaros and E-bay are your best sources for Inline six PS brackets.

[BigPhil66]

Originally Posted by bubba327

What motor are you trying to find a bracket for?
Small block stuff is pretty easy to find in most wrecking yards ,
Inline sixes take some luck and Creativity..
Not many trucks had a inline six with power steering.
Novas and Camaros and E-bay are your best sources for Inline six PS brackets.

Thanks, it is a 327 and it is supposed to be the original motor but I am not sure. The bracket that came with the pump doesn't work and I don't know what it is off of. The aftermarket ones aren't working either. I will look at some Nova and Camaro brackets.

[bubba327]

My chevelle 327 used a aftermarket bracket that sits the pump down low on drivers side. My alternator sits high on passenger side. (short water pump)
My 327 heads do not have attachment holes in the front for brackets so the alternator has to mount off the front bolt of the exhaust manifold and uses a bracket I modified and and adapted.
I think it was a Bills hot rod bracket http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/bills.html

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by BigPhil66

I sure could use some help finding a bracket for the power steering pump. Nothing that I have found is working because the pump sits too far forward past the pullys of the motor. I need something that will make it sit to the side and back or down below and back....anyone know what i need or part number? Thanks in advance.

First off, Welcome to the board!

Sounds like the brackets you have tried are for a long water pump small block(69 & later). Look for brackets for a short water pump. You may also need to change the lower pulley to add the pump.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BigPhil66]

Originally Posted by bubba327

My chevelle 327 used a aftermarket bracket that sits the pump down low on drivers side. My alternator sits high on passenger side. (short water pump)
My 327 heads do not have attachment holes in the front for brackets so the alternator has to mount off the front bolt of the exhaust manifold and uses a bracket I modified and and adapted.
I think it was a Bills hot rod bracket http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/bills.html

Thanks for replying...I too am trying to mount the same way low on driver side for the ps and high on passenger side for the altenator. Thanks for the link, I will look into those. I am not a mechanic but my dad use to be many years ago. He says that the blocks are the same but there were different configurations and it sems a bit confusing but with some of the responses and IM's I am beginnning to understand. I think that it would help if I knew what year my engine was.

Originally Posted by aggie91

First off, Welcome to the board!

Sounds like the brackets you have tried are for a long water pump small block(69 & later). Look for brackets for a short water pump. You may also need to change the lower pulley to add the pump.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks...I have been pleased with the help so far. I actually purchased the bracket for a short water pump and thought about going to a long pump or changing the bottom pully. Is thee anything special I need to know about changing the pully? Thanks for the help.

[NCD1966]

I'll be doing the same thing soon to mine. Thanks for the pics.

[BigPhil66]

Originally Posted by NCD1966

I'll be doing the same thing soon to mine. Thanks for the pics.

Your welcome and more pics to come. Have gotten some help from a few on here and can't wait to move forward.

[63sbssbbw]

The lower pulley(s) just bolt to the harmonic balancer.
T

[NCD1966]

BigPhill66 did you make that bracket? or buy it? if so who did you buy it from?
Also where did you get the New Rag joint/ steering shaft adapter?

I have the power steering gear box and pump. i just need the rest of the stuff ha