c2 adding power steering

[Joe T.]

i was thinking of giving myself a christmas present and adding a power steering unit to my 66 convertible, 327/300. 4 speed. has anybody added one of these units? does it make the car much more drivable? the unit will be a rebuilt original 66 unit, the car is a matching number engine car but not matching on the tranny or rear end

[Mike M.]

Re: c2 adding power steering

it'll bolt right in as long as you have the 300 hp oil pan. if someone's added the solid lifter oil pan from a 63 up small block, it'll interfere with the P.S. good luck and it'll make for a nice xmas present. mike

[Joe L.]

Re: c2 adding power steering

Joe-----

This is a VERY popular conversion and complete kits are sold by most of the parts vendors to do it. I did it in 1986 to my 1969 which I originally factory-ordered without power steering. At the time, I used all NEW GM components. The installed system is exactly the way it would have appeared if it had been installed by the folks in St. Louis. Only reference to original documentation could reveal that the car was not built this way.

Most of the parts remain available from GM or reproduction sources in either new or remanufactured form. The pump is one of the few parts that's not available new, but rebuilds are easy to get. From an originality standpoint, the most difficult component to obtain is an exactly original pump resevoir. There were several slightly different pump resevoirs used during the 63-74 period. However, if you obtain the 63-74 style resevoir (i.e. with welded on filler neck) you will be between 95-100% original with respect to configuration and VERY few folks will be able to tell if it's not 100% original.

The addition of power steering to my car was one of the best things I ever did. It made the care much more enjoyable to drive and, as far as I'm concerned, the loss of road feel and handling capability was minimal. It might not be the thing to do for a car that is primarily raced, but for a car which is primarily (or, exclusively) a street car, it IS the thing to do.

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Re: c2 adding power steering

...and don't forget to replace the pitman arm. They are different power vs. non-power.

Pete

[Gerard F.]

It's sweet, for geezers like me

Joe,

I did it on my 67 327/300HP convertible earlier this year. Just great getting out of my tight garage and parking, my shoulder never felt better. Here's a couple of things to watch out for (I assume the kit you are going to buy is a add on power assist kit just like the original option):

1. Make sure you install the rods on the forward lugs on the wheel spindle. The rear lugs are for manual steering and forward ones (closer steering ratio) are for power steering.

2. Try to get a kit that has the stiffer original spring in the steering valve. ( I believe the older ones were 60# and the newer ones are 40#) Someone will probably chime in on this, there is a thead on this in the archives this year.

3. Get your front end realigned for harder steering and better tracking. 2.5 to 2.75 pos caster with radials.

I had a tire shop put my kit on, and they put the rods in the rear (manual steering) lugs. I was all over the road at high speed with no feel for the road. They changed it to the forward lugs and now I have some feel for the road. The more resistance to steering the better off you are at high speed driving.

But you'll love it for city driving and parking!

Also you have to have the stock oil pan, and you have to change or add-on to the crankshaft pulley.

Best wishes,

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179