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#1 |
Blue 67
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,178
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Power Steering Upgrade and questions
Hi There:
Here is the story: Few years ago I picked up a complete set of power steering gear, pump, bracket and lines from a junk yard to upgrade my 67 C20 2wd. For some reasons I never got around to do it until now. Now, I have forgotten what model year the donor truck was! (I must be getting old!). These are my questions: - There are casting number on the steering box (7802644) and then there are # on the steering box cover (7812145 and 01871). Based on the casting number it seems this is a box from 80-85 truck, is this correct? What the other numbers mean? How can I decode them? - The steering pump has v grove pulley. Does this fit with the 80-85 trucks? - Is the pump bracket something that I can use? Some pictures of your power steering pump and bracket would be very helpful. - Do I need to replace the rag joint or can I reuse what it is on the steering box? - How about the pitman arm? I looked at FAQ but I really couldn't find the answer to all these questions. If I have overlooked them, I would appreciate if you point me to the right direction. Thanks
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1953 GMC 3/4 ton: current project 1967 C20: 5.3 voretc with T5 conversion, 4 wheel 8 lug disc brake 1972 Nova: my 4 door sport sedan! 5.3 voretc + T5 conversion. drivable project, FUN!! 1979 Camaro Z28: 5.3 vortec conversion with build TH350: drivable project, Fun to drive 1992 Camaro RS convertible (Z28 clone): 5.3 conversion with build T5: on going project 2005 Silverado 2500, 4x4 Duramax, original owner |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: KINGSPORT,TN.
Posts: 3,035
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Re: Power Steering Upgrade and questions
old trucks are swp newer are lwp
old trucks are inverted flair , new engines are O-ring fittings your going to hybrid power steering school.................... plus everything you have is cores only
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I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Marquette michigan
Posts: 828
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Re: Power Steering Upgrade and questions
I'm running an 85 c-10 gearbox in my 68 ls swap and it's my favorite box because it's 3 1/2 turns lock to lock, and the best part is variable ratio.
You just need to match up your lines. The 85 box is oring style and there are adapters to use inverted flair with these adapters into an oring box. Another way is to use the 85 lines and just change to an oring (85) style screw in fitting into the back of the 67 pump. Your rag joint may need to be changed to match the 85 box to your intermediate shaft or get an 85 intermediate shaft and rag joint. Don't give up, once you drive it, you will love it. The gm engineers really did a great job on the variable ratio box, the best of both worlds. Slower response in the center straight ahead position so it's not twitchy, and after turning past 1/4 left/right it responds quicker. This gives you casual highway driving with sporty response when needed. A quicker box with less turns is perfect for autocross, but when a few friends drive my truck a typical response is " god that drives nice"," I don't believe how good it handles, just right" I went to auto schooling in the late 70's and rebuilt these box's and still love them! |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Marquette michigan
Posts: 828
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Re: Power Steering Upgrade and questions
I should ask, is your 67 manual steering?? If so you may have to deal with the frame to bolt on the gearbox as i thought 68 was the first year for power steering. The pitman arm is different for a power steering box.
I don't want to confuse you but you can go to a junk yard and unbolt a complete crossmember with disc brake suspension, take the fitting out of the back of the pump and take the lines with you, unbolt the intermediate shaft from the column and basically roll out every thing you need to go to disc brakes, bigger ball joints, bigger tierod ends and thicker centerlink and grab the antisway bar and brackets while you are at it. If you stick with 8 lug wheels i believe you 67 wheels will bolt up to the newer stuff, not sure though. All of the junk yard items will come from an 87 and older c20 pickup, and a 91 and older suburban. |
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#5 |
Blue 67
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,178
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Re: Power Steering Upgrade and questions
Okay, thank you for all the information.
Yes, my 67 has manual box. The donor box and the pump are all from the donor truck, therefore I am a little confused as to why I need O ring adaptor (hybrid) since the same model year box and pump are connecting together?! The donor gear box has the original rag joint on it then I assume I just need to find the intermediate shaft? Some of my questions still stand though, How can I ID this box based on the casting number and/or the numbers on the cover? Is it really from early 80 trucks? Is there a site that I can visit? Only information that I have found is just for casting number. Second, what was the last year(s) that GM used V grove pulleys? Some picture of brackets to mount the pulley would be very helpful. My 67 C20 has 8 lug disc on all 4 corners with upgraded sway bars. I kind of lug the 8 lug look therefore I would stick with what I have but if you are saying that later models front end/steering components are stronger and are bolts ons, I may just change those parts as I go.
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1953 GMC 3/4 ton: current project 1967 C20: 5.3 voretc with T5 conversion, 4 wheel 8 lug disc brake 1972 Nova: my 4 door sport sedan! 5.3 voretc + T5 conversion. drivable project, FUN!! 1979 Camaro Z28: 5.3 vortec conversion with build TH350: drivable project, Fun to drive 1992 Camaro RS convertible (Z28 clone): 5.3 conversion with build T5: on going project 2005 Silverado 2500, 4x4 Duramax, original owner |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Marquette michigan
Posts: 828
|
Re: Power Steering Upgrade and questions
Take the gear box and turn it through the extreme left turn to the extreme right turn and count the total turns. If it's 3 1/2 turns i would install it. My stock 68 power steering gearbox had 5+ turns lock to lock. I believe our trucks were about the only gm application to be mounted outside the frame, all else was inside frame mounted.
Box and pump and lines all from the donor truck you are good to go. Someone else can chime in and send pics regarding v groove pulley questions. If this was my project the frame concerns would be the item to check out first and see if the p/s box will bolt on ok or need an adaptor or frame mods. Someone on ebay sells this frame chunk you may possibly need. These trucks would crack in this area or bolts loosen up and cause issues. Not trying to scare anyone, just a suggestion to start there and build up from there. |
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#7 |
Blue 67
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,178
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Re: Power Steering Upgrade and questions
Thank you for the explanation.
CPP and Brothers truck sell adaptor plate for 67 trucks to mount the gear box without dimpling the frame but also I read on some threads here, captainfab is one of them I believe, that an adaptor doesn't really need to be used. I can just use 1/4" spacer (washer) instead. I guess 1/4" wouldn't cause any alignment issue is steering shaft and column. I hope somebody chime in about the v groove pulley and I hope I see some pictures of the set up and power steering pump brackets.
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1953 GMC 3/4 ton: current project 1967 C20: 5.3 voretc with T5 conversion, 4 wheel 8 lug disc brake 1972 Nova: my 4 door sport sedan! 5.3 voretc + T5 conversion. drivable project, FUN!! 1979 Camaro Z28: 5.3 vortec conversion with build TH350: drivable project, Fun to drive 1992 Camaro RS convertible (Z28 clone): 5.3 conversion with build T5: on going project 2005 Silverado 2500, 4x4 Duramax, original owner |
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#8 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
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Re: Power Steering Upgrade and questions
When I did my PS upgrade, I used a box from a 85-86 or so truck. I got the rag joint with it and bought a rag joint repair kit for the bolts and rubber. Then I used my original half from the 68 and the original half from the later box and rebuilt the middle. Upgrading to PS was a great choice but I wouldn't have done it without using the later box and getting VR and fewer turns LTL. The factory 68-72 is just too soft feeling for me. I used the later model hoses because I got them with the gearbox and made sure to get the fittings so they matched. They're a bit long but I plan on having some made to fit, I've just been working on other things and it works fine. I swapped the fitting from the later PS pump on to my earlier one and was set. I have a 250 and wanted to stay with the original pump because of the brackets.
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The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Harrison, Arkansas
Posts: 9,815
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Re: Power Steering Upgrade and questions
FWIW, the date on the cap is 0 18 71 ( Jan 18, 1971)
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other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless. |
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