Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jasnake65 · 02-22-2016, 09:48 PM

Looking at buying a kit from Cpp or Ecklers. Question is will the pump that comes with the kit fit a 1990 motor? Also is there a way to do it cheaper or just buy the kit?

**Captainfab** · 02-23-2016, 12:58 AM

A '1990 motor' is pretty vague. Is it a I6, V6, small block or a big block? What does the description of the kit say that the pump bracket is designed for?

There is always a way to do something cheaper than buying a 'kit' if you are resourceful and posses the necessary skills. But if you must have everything new, sometimes a kit is the way to go.

jasnake65 · 02-23-2016, 07:24 AM

its a 350 motor, that's the thing the kit don't say. Have to do some calling around. I was curious on what other people used to switch to power steering; what year would the gear box and pump housing come from if I decided to try to piece it together.

**Captainfab** · 02-24-2016, 01:35 AM

You will need a '68-'86 C series or a '87-'91 R series steering box and pitman arm. As for the pump, that will depend on what water pump your engine has. Keep in mind that the fitting style changed in about 1980 from SAE to Metric with an O-ring. It is easier to plumb if both the steering box and pump have the same style of fitting. You will also need the mounting brackets for the pump as well as the pulleys to drive it, belt and hoses. connecting this all to yout draglink will depend on whether you still have the original or have upgraded to disc brakes. And of course you will need an adapter plate to mount the steering box to your frame.

Dirko · 12-31-2017, 01:14 PM

I know this is an older thread but i have a 1960 long bed with a I6 235ci and I got a 1978 steering box and everthing i read says to use a pitman arm the same year as the gearbox. On mine the centerlink rubs along the center of the frame. it appears that I need a straighter pitman arm like the stock one. Has anyone had this problem? The stock one has a differnt size shaft and wont fit

**Captainfab** · 01-01-2018, 12:37 AM

How is your steering box mounted? All the '68-'86 C seies pitman arms have an offset in them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirko

I know this is an older thread but i have a 1960 long bed with a I6 235ci and I got a 1978 steering box and everthing i read says to use a pitman arm the same year as the gearbox. On mine the centerlink rubs along the center of the frame. it appears that I need a straighter pitman arm like the stock one. Has anyone had this problem? The stock one has a differnt size shaft and wont fit

Dirko · 01-01-2018, 03:39 PM

Thanks for the reply captain,
I got the plate from POL and followed the instructions included. It looks like everything lined up and works good but I got the pitman arm for the year of gearbox I got. The stock pitman arm is fairly straight but the new one has quite a bit of an offset and it seems to push the front end linkage pretty far down where it is touching the frame crossmember

Dirko · 01-01-2018, 10:34 PM

Between a loose idler arm bracket and a build up of crap on the center frame I was able to get a better look and I do have some clearance. So I should be good. Thanks to anyone who looked at this and gave it a thought.

**slepysal** · 01-01-2018, 11:38 PM

Dirko just got your PM

02-22-2016, 09:48 PM	#1
jasnake65 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: mi Posts: 45	Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 Looking at buying a kit from Cpp or Ecklers. Question is will the pump that comes with the kit fit a 1990 motor? Also is there a way to do it cheaper or just buy the kit?

02-23-2016, 12:58 AM	#2
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 A '1990 motor' is pretty vague. Is it a I6, V6, small block or a big block? What does the description of the kit say that the pump bracket is designed for? There is always a way to do something cheaper than buying a 'kit' if you are resourceful and posses the necessary skills. But if you must have everything new, sometimes a kit is the way to go. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

02-23-2016, 07:24 AM	#3
jasnake65 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: mi Posts: 45	Re: Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 its a 350 motor, that's the thing the kit don't say. Have to do some calling around. I was curious on what other people used to switch to power steering; what year would the gear box and pump housing come from if I decided to try to piece it together.

02-24-2016, 01:35 AM	#4
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 You will need a '68-'86 C series or a '87-'91 R series steering box and pitman arm. As for the pump, that will depend on what water pump your engine has. Keep in mind that the fitting style changed in about 1980 from SAE to Metric with an O-ring. It is easier to plumb if both the steering box and pump have the same style of fitting. You will also need the mounting brackets for the pump as well as the pulleys to drive it, belt and hoses. connecting this all to yout draglink will depend on whether you still have the original or have upgraded to disc brakes. And of course you will need an adapter plate to mount the steering box to your frame. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

12-31-2017, 01:14 PM	#5
Dirko Registered User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Concord,CA Posts: 3	Re: Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 I know this is an older thread but i have a 1960 long bed with a I6 235ci and I got a 1978 steering box and everthing i read says to use a pitman arm the same year as the gearbox. On mine the centerlink rubs along the center of the frame. it appears that I need a straighter pitman arm like the stock one. Has anyone had this problem? The stock one has a differnt size shaft and wont fit

01-01-2018, 03:39 PM	#7
Dirko Registered User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Concord,CA Posts: 3	Re: Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 Thanks for the reply captain, I got the plate from POL and followed the instructions included. It looks like everything lined up and works good but I got the pitman arm for the year of gearbox I got. The stock pitman arm is fairly straight but the new one has quite a bit of an offset and it seems to push the front end linkage pretty far down where it is touching the frame crossmember

01-01-2018, 10:34 PM	#8
Dirko Registered User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Concord,CA Posts: 3	Re: Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 Between a loose idler arm bracket and a build up of crap on the center frame I was able to get a better look and I do have some clearance. So I should be good. Thanks to anyone who looked at this and gave it a thought.

01-01-2018, 11:38 PM	#9
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: Buying a power steering conversion for 1960 Dirko just got your PM __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... "



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