Power Steering on 63 L76?

[Thomas B.]

My 340 hp convertible has power steering. Still in the learning process in the C2's and what's correct or not on my car. What is the source of info on the availability of ps on solid lifter cars? Thanks

Ok I see it in the GM specs. Seems odd that someone goes to the trouble to change out the oil pan and add the power steering hardware. Guess it's possible though.

[Mark F.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

My 340 hp convertible has power steering. Still in the learning process in the C2's and what's correct or not on my car. What is the source of info on the availability of ps on solid lifter cars? Thanks

Hi Thomas,

The GM Heritage center hobby kit for 1963 says power steering (N40 - "hydraulic" steering) was not available with 340 or 360 HP engines in 1963.
(see page 8 of 165 in the pdf)

That being said, there are other members on TDB who are far more knowledgeable about ‘63s than me…

You also really need to buy the '63-'64 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide (TIMJG) if you don't already have one...

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Corvette/1963-Chevrolet-Corvette.pdf

[Michael G.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

Hi Thomas,

The GM Heritage center hobby kit for 1963 says power steering (N40 - "hydraulic" steering) was not available with 340 or 360 HP engines in 1963.
(see page 8 of 165 in the pdf)

That being said, there are other members on TDB who are far more knowledgeable about ‘63s than me…

You also really need to buy the '63-'64 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide (TIMJG) if you don't already have one...

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...t-Corvette.pdf

The 340 and 360 HP cars used a different, higher capacity oil pan than the other engines. The bottom of the high-horse pan physically interfered with the power steering, so that option was not offered with either high horsepower engine.

[Harry S.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

As Joe said, in 1963 not available. Today, change the oil pan and add the power steering. It's a bolt on option.

[Michael J.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

And an excellent option too.

[Bob R.]

[Thomas B.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

Is there a negative side to having a smaller oil pan on a higher horsepower engine? There must have been a reason for the 340 and 360 engines needed a larger capacity pan. I assume the swap included using the pan which would have been used on the 250 and 300 hp engines. Are there other differences between the smaller and larger pans?

[Rick H.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

Is there a negative side to having a smaller oil pan on a higher horsepower engine? There must have been a reason for the 340 and 360 engines needed a larger capacity pan. I assume the swap included using the pan which would have been used on the 250 and 300 hp engines. Are there other differences between the smaller and larger pans?

The higher capacity oil pan was installed to support the heavy duty 340 and 360 horsepower engines. Unless you are planning on prolonged high RPM driving, the smaller capacity oil pan will fit and function just fine if you are not concerned with originality.

[Bob R.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

The larger oil pan which had a baffle in it was for racing applications. For typical driving these cars see now the smaller oil pan should work fine.

[Thomas B.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

Here's a pic showing the oil pan and power steering equipment. Does this look like a stock 4 quart oil pan? The ones I see on the major corvette parts vendor sites are replacements with the drain plug on the rear rather than on the side. I don't see any stock 5 quart pans for the 340, 360 engines. Thanks

[Don H.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

Tom
the original L75 (4 qt) pan had drain at the rear. The vendors do not sell the L76/L84 (5 qt) pan.
It has never been reproduced to my knowledge.

[Thomas B.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

Anyone have an good underside pic of their L76 with manual steering handy? Looking for a factory correct example with manual steering for comparison to my photo. Thank you.

[Don H.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

65 FI Convertible

47A5D472-B01E-4A5F-954E-8198240624CD_1_105_c.jpeg

[Thomas B.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

Excellent picture. I can see the obvious interference problem with the bigger oil pan. It's amazing to me someone would go to the expense to change to power steering. Probably cost at least $2000 to do that today. Just the parts kit is $1000. Plus the cost of the smaller pan plus labor if you have it done professionally. Thanks much for the pic.

[Jack H.]

Re: Bring A trailer Sale of 63 SWC

Just FYI, but the smaller Corvette oil pan looks fairly similar to the pan that Don shows above. The sump portion is a bit shorter and the internals are different. From what I can see in your pic, it looks like the pan is a generic non-Corvette pan with much, much shorter (and deeper) sump portion. The generic pans are very inexpensive (<$100) and easily sourced and do seem to function adequately albeit although non-Corvette intended. I have seen several hi-HP cars converted to PS with this setup. It also looks like the car may have an aftermarket bellhousing with block-saver plate.