Question on 1963 thru 1968 Relay Rods

[Jim S.]

This relay rod information came from Joe Lucia over a year ago"
"...first, the 3/4" power steering relay rod (1963-68) and the 7/8" relay rod (1969-82) were Corvette-only pieces. While the 7/8" rod is not correct for the 1963-68 applications, it does SERVICE those applications and is stronger and better than the original rod."

Now there is one confusing issue. There was a shock damper that required an attaching boss to be formed and machined on the relay rod in order to attach to it. The shock damper was used through late 1968. from Joe's information I assume all 7/8" rods never had the damper attaching boss since they went into production as the damper was eliminated. I also have some information that all Big Blocks did not have a damper.

So the question is - were there two 3/4" rods, some with bosses for the damper (Small Blocks) and some without a boss for the BBs (1965 -68)? Or did all 3/4" (1963-68) relay rods have the boss but the BBs just didn't have a damper to attach to it?

Jim

[Timothy B.]

Re: Question on 1963 thru 1968 Relay Rods

Hi Jim,

I believe all the 3/4 rods were cast for the damper but on the solid lifter small blocks and big blocks the damper is not used.

If I am incorrect someone will correct me..

[Joe L.]

Re: Question on 1963 thru 1968 Relay Rods

This relay rod information came from Joe Lucia over a year ago"
"...first, the 3/4" power steering relay rod (1963-68) and the 7/8" relay rod (1969-82) were Corvette-only pieces. While the 7/8" rod is not correct for the 1963-68 applications, it does SERVICE those applications and is stronger and better than the original rod."

Now there is one confusing issue. There was a shock damper that required an attaching boss to be formed and machined on the relay rod in order to attach to it. The shock damper was used through late 1968. from Joe's information I assume all 7/8" rods never had the damper attaching boss since they went into production as the damper was eliminated. I also have some information that all Big Blocks did not have a damper.

So the question is - were there two 3/4" rods, some with bosses for the damper (Small Blocks) and some without a boss for the BBs (1965 -68)? Or did all 3/4" (1963-68) relay rods have the boss but the BBs just didn't have a damper to attach to it?

Jim

Jim------


Tim's information is correct; all of the 3/4" manual steering relay rods had the provisions for the steering shock absorber. On big blocks it was not used, though.

So, for the reason you mentioned, does this mean that all 7/8" manual steering relay rods did not have the steering shock absorber provisions? Well, certainly all PRODUCTION 7/8" manual steering relay rods did not have the shock absorber provisions. However, I think there may have been a SERVICE-only 7/8" relay rod that did have the provisions. If so, it was GM #3955521. I've never been able to get my hands on one or the blueprints for it, though.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Question on 1963 thru 1968 Relay Rods

....Tim's information is correct; all of the 3/4" manual steering relay rods had the provisions for the steering shock absorber. On big blocks it was not used, though. .....

Correct, except for one "trivia" recall on the '65 w/L78.

Chevrolet Product Bulletins -- Passenger Car Recall Campaigns (courtesy Brian Futo article in Restorer Vol 10 # 1; summer '83).

"There were 47 Corvettes produced with the 396 engine, with a damper on the steering linkage. It was determined that an interference condition could result between the steering damper and the oil pan. Serial number lists were provided to dealers with instructions to remove the damper assemblies. All but one of the affected cars were corrected, according to our records".

I wonder if Clem's was one of those ?