We recently put a Saginaw unit on a 66 that was quite easy to install and works very good. The mounting just took a piece of heavy wall tubing for the top bolt and a piece of 3" ID x 1/4" wall tubing split lengthwise and welded into the frame rail to give a "pocket" for the bulge on the gearbox. The other three bolts run through the frame rail into the box. You can see the inner fender had to be trimmed very little. See at http://www.msnusers.com/evanscars Click on "pictures", then "show photos", then double click Gerald's 027 and 029.
Did you reinforce the back of the frame rail ? I have seen this type of installation go badly resulting in stress cracking on the frame. Even 6the factory power steering in GM cars and trucks were prone to stress cracking into 1972 when they changed the PS mount. It is easier to use a REZ adapter to do the PS conversion on 60-66 trucks, and safer too. Best of luck and keep an eye on the frame rail. DVal
Yes, we used a piece of 11 guage plate but from what you say maybe a full 3/16 would be better. Did use the maximum size flatwashers that would fit( a couple had one side trimmed).
" Did use the maximum size flatwashers that would fit( a couple had one side trimmed)." I have seen those washers, with the nuts still attached, pull right through a frame rail. The hole left by the washer looked like it was cut with a lazer. That truck was headed down a local freeway, lost steering and went into a ditch. The impact was not kind on the driver. Be very careful, and inspect the frame regularly.. DVal
I have heard from serval people from time after time talk about the REZ power steering & kit thats for 1960 to 1966 chevy trucks,nothing but good things,they use to have a website but I dont think they do anymore.
IVE USED THAT KIT PERSONALLY, I THOUGHT I WAS IN FOR A FULL DAYS JOB, BUT IN LESS THEN 3HRS I WAS DONE AND EVERYTHING FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY. D VALINTINE IS RIGHT, IVE SEEN THOSE WASHERS PUSH THROU THE FRAME TOO, AND IVE SEEN THAT CAUSE TERRIBLE ACCIDENTS. WERE JUST TRYING TO HELP, FOR YOU SAFTEY THIS KIT IS A MUST!! 66 KUSTOM
Well there's one advantage in being 70 on your next birthday and having access to a multi million dollar machine facility, you can darn sure check things out. Mounted a dial indicator to the front crossmember(non flexing structure) and gathered data from the above setup. On a 65 with the factory steering manual box the frame had a 0.025-0.003 deflection at the top lip of the C-channel frame. The bolt that is the furthest from the steering shaft centerline had 0.001 movement. The above mentioned power box setup had near identical deflection. This test was done by moving the same tires and wheels from one truck to the other and having them on the same spot on the concrete floor. This is not to say that if for some reason the front tires were bound tight, like sitting in deep C-channels on a car trailer, that the power setup wouldn't put additional stress on the mounting, but for cruising to the drive in there is no doubt in my mind that this set up will last as long as the factory design. Now I can get back to working on my DOHC, hemi chambered, twelve port 302 Jimmy head. As far as I can tell I'll only need to live to 90 to get that sucker done.
66 kustom, Do I understand that you used the power steering kit fom CPP? If so, did you have the original steering column or did you change columns. What other parts were necessary to complete the steering box to column hook-up? I appreciate any info you can share. Mike
YES I USED THE KIT FROM CLASSIC PARTS, I GOT A PS PUMP AND PS GEAR (TRY TO GET A MATCHING PAIR OF THE SAME DONOR) OFF A 80'S 1/2TON 2WD CHEVY PICKUP (NOT INCLUDED IN KIT) AND EVERYTHING WENT PERFECTLY. THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT COME WITH THE KIT TELL YOU WHAT YEARS OF PUMP AND GEAR TO USE FROM A DONOR VEHICLE. THE ONE CATCH IS THAT YOULL WANT TO HAVE A DRILL PRESS YOU CAN USE AND A 1" DRILL BIT TO DRILL THE COLOMN FLANGE. AND YOULL NEED A WELDER. I USED THE ORIGANAL COLUMN THE TRUCK CAME WITH. YOU HAVE TO SHORTEN THE COLUMN END AND WELD THE FLANGE BACK ON THE END TO MEET UP WITH THE RAG JOINT. THERE IS A WEB SITE WITH ALL THE DIRECTIONS AND GOOD PICTUES YOU CAN GO TO AND LOOK AT BEFORE YOU GET STARTED AND INVEST ANY MONEY. HEY D VALENTINE WHATS THAT WEBSITE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS? IVE SEEM TO HAVE LOST THE LINK. ITS FAIRLY EASY TO DO THE SWAP AND DOESNT TAKE ALL DAY. GOOD LUCK!! 66 KUSTOM
" HEY D VALENTINE WHATS THAT WEBSITE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS? " THIS one ??? http://www.customclassictrucks.com/techarticles/84378/ DV
