Broke the rules with P/S

[Jim C.]

My 63/340 shp got a top flight at the Nationals two years ago. With that behind me I decided to put a 5qt oil pan on it and install a p/s kit from LI Corvette to see if I liked it.
I've always driven the car when involved in flight judging , but I must say this change is dramatic and a pleasure. In many ways it feels like a new old car. Doing the install was mostly relaxing using my buddies lift and another set of hands while his 67 sat next to us watching. The swap took us one full Saturday.
I love it. All the original parts are safely stored away for the next guy.
(Just an FYI if someone is consider the same).

[Joe L.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

My 63/340 shp got a top flight at the Nationals two years ago. With that behind me I decided to put a 5qt oil pan on it and install a p/s kit from LI Corvette to see if I liked it.
I've always driven the car when involved in flight judging , but I must say this change is dramatic and a pleasure. In many ways it feels like a new old car. Doing the install was mostly relaxing using my buddies lift and another set of hands while his 67 sat next to us watching. The swap took us one full Saturday.
I love it. All the original parts are safely stored away for the next guy.
(Just an FYI if someone is consider the same).

James------


I originally ordered my 1969 without power steering. At that time, I did not even consider ordering it. I had never owned a car with power steering and I was just not going to have it on the Corvette.

About 1985 or 86 my thinking changed. So, I installed power steering on the car. It was absolutely the best change I ever made and I've written to this many times here. At the time I described it exactly as you have------like having a new car. Yes, I kept all the original steering stuff, too, (mostly just the relay rod and standard steering pitman arm) but it won't likely be re-installed on the car in my lifetime.

[Jim C.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

Joe, what was interesting when we examined the kit contents it included a replacement pitman arm . When we held it next to the installed one the geometry was identical however the parts numbers differed. We left the original in place which works perfectly.
Neither of us could figure it out but someone probably knows the answer.
And, yes, I doubt I'll go back to manual steering before my times up!

[Joe L.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

Joe, what was interesting when we examined the kit contents it included a replacement pitman arm . When we held it next to the installed one the geometry was identical however the parts numbers differed. We left the original in place which works perfectly.
Neither of us could figure it out but someone probably knows the answer.
And, yes, I doubt I'll go back to manual steering before my times up!

James-----


I don't think you compared them closely enough. There is definitely a difference in configuration between the power steering and manual steering pitman arms. It's somewhat of a subtle difference but a difference nonetheless.

As a rule, folks that continue to use the manual steering pitman arm after conversion to power steering experience no problems, though.

By the way, the power steering pitman arm dates back to 1958 and was used for many passenger cars with power steering. The manual steering pitman arm is a 1963+ Corvette-only piece.

[Jim S.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

Here is a picture of the two pitman arms. If I remember correctly, there is also a slight difference in offset between the two arms as well.



Joe,
I might have gotten this picture from you.
Jim

[Wayne W.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

On a full lock to lock turn, that thing is likely to jerk the wheel out of your hands when the arm binds. Put that new arm on there. That's why it was in the box.

[Jim C.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

Here is a picture of the two pitman arms. If I remember correctly, there is also a slight difference in offset between the two arms as well.



Joe,
I might have gotten this picture from you.
Jim

Jim , thanks for taking the time to post the pictures. It will give another reason to turn some wrenches next weekend. Hope it pops off the steering box a little easier than some of the other components

[Jim C.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

On a full lock to lock turn, that thing is likely to jerk the wheel out of your hands when the arm binds. Put that new arm on there. That's why it was in the box.

W. Will probably do so this weekend and ,yes, one can see very subtle differences in the posted pictures. Looks possibly the manual version is perhaps a fraction longer. Have had no issue going stop to stop thus far, but that doesn't mean that under different circumstances/loads a dangerous kickback could not occur. Have you know this to occur? I'd be concerned just driving it 5 miles back to my friends garage if so .

[Steve D.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

James

Is the 5 quart oilpan for improved engine cooling?

[Gene M.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

The difference in center to center from the photo appears to be about a 1/4" longer on the manual steering arm. Is that about right?

[Jim C.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

James

Is the 5 quart oilpan for improved engine cooling?

Apparently the 6 qt. pan(13 inches in length) does not provide clearance for the P/S application

[Jim C.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

The difference in center to center from the photo appears to be about a 1/4" longer on the manual steering arm. Is that about right?

Could be , we held the replacement arm up against the arm installed on the car as best we could. From that perspective any differences, aside from the part number, were not observable. From the photos above your estimate looks correct.
BTW subsequent to this thread my bud with the small block 67 said he converted his to power sterring years ago using the existing pitman arm and has not had issues. FWIW

[Joe L.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

Jim , thanks for taking the time to post the pictures. It will give another reason to turn some wrenches next weekend. Hope it pops off the steering box a little easier than some of the other components

Jim-----


You will need a pitman arm puller to remove the arm. This is a specialized puller with a very strong frame. You can rent these or even purchase them for relatively low cost.

[Jim C.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

Jim-----


You will need a pitman arm puller to remove the arm. This is a specialized puller with a very strong frame. You can rent these or even purchase them for relatively low cost.

Thank you Joe, my often source, Harbor Freight, has one on the way. Regardless,the P/S conversion makes my 63 a much more enjoyable ride as I head towards my 60 th birthday and the cars 50 th! I have been having a great summer driving her on weekends and not a care in the world about losing condition points.
I also just installed a 3:70 differential in place of the 3:08 and with my wide ratio Muncie my local driving is a blast.
I plan to perpetually continue the restoration process while driving. I think it is an achievable method to maintaining these iconic cars.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Broke the rules with P/S

Could be , we held the replacement arm up against the arm installed on the car as best we could. From that perspective any differences, aside from the part number, were not observable. From the photos above your estimate looks correct.
BTW subsequent to this thread my bud with the small block 67 said he converted his to power sterring years ago using the existing pitman arm and has not had issues. FWIW

He just got lucky.

If you look at it from the side, you will see a definite offset which gives the clearance not to bind. The straight on view is not much different.