help picking out a used Power steering system

[hotrodhomi]

Thinking about going to the PickNPull for another power steering setup. What should I be looking for? Obviously the less play in the wheel the better, but is there any other thing to look for besides leaks? Will the square body steering boxes bolt right up?

[mr48chev]

I'm thinking that the square body boxes will bolt on but the pitman arms are different.

Somewhere along the line they changed the fittings on the hoses from flaired to the other kind and it's hard to mix and match those. As far as pumps they are all pretty much the same except that the reservoir cans are different between the pumps to go with short shaft water pumps and the power steering pumps that go with the long shaft pumps. It's about where the tube for the return line goes plus maybe where the cap sits in relation to straight up when it's on the engine. You will put on new hoses anyhow so the condition of the hoses isn't a real big deal.

[Shyguy]

I don't know if this helps but I am running a '73 454 with the '73 power steering pump and have it hooked to the steering box in my '71.

[STP67-72]

The 68 - 76 boxes are the same. 77 to 87 will bolt up but have a o ring fitting instead of a flare fitting like the 68-76. The pitman arms are different 73 up i think.

[RichardJ]

There was a fast ratio box used in some vehicles. Mine came out of a '80s crewcab with utility bed. It makes sense that the extra long wheelbase would benefit from a faster ratio.
I like it and don't find it to be twitchy at all as some people have reported.

[hotrodhomi]

how can you tell if its a fast ratio box?