replacing the steering column for 1955 olds 98

[Olds Nut]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to put a 455 in my 1955 olds 98 and am running into a problem with the steering and gear box bolted to the far end of the column. It sticks out and is causing a clearance problem w/the 455. I would like to keep the steering wheel but don't know what I can do about converting the steering column to a more updated one.
any suggestions would be helpful??

[redoldsman]

I don't have a solution but am aware of the problem. I have done a 54 for a friend and we added factory power steering to it. Due to the size of the steering sector, we could not put dual exhaust on it. There is no way to get by the steering sector. The shaft comes out of the sector and runs all the way to the steering wheel. I have a contact with a 54 and I think he changed the steering on it. I will email him and find out. It is going to take a lot of fabrication. Too bad it is not like a 55 Chevy where you can buy a 605 box and ididit column. I will see what I can find out.

[Olds Nut]

Thanks redoldsman for any help that you can provide. I don't mind changing the steering system with a more modern one. I just want to make sure that whatever I go with it will fit with the 455. I heard that there is possibly a later model Olds/Chevy steering system that may work as a swap. Im not sure about this but perhaps someone like you, who has done a conversion can shed some light.

[59-59-59]

I have done a swap similiar to yours. Except it was a 425 Olds going into a '57 98. The problem I had was that the exhaust manifold was dumping directly onto the steering box. My solution was using a set of Toronado exhaust manifolds - these dump out towards the rear of the engine. Im not into the older post '64 Olds, but from what I gather, small block and big block as well as Toronado exhaust manifolds are interchangeable - they have the same holes in the same location. Maybe you can experiment and see what works for you.

[Olds64]

If it is just a question of the exhaust hitting the steering box then maybe this exhaust manifold will help.

http://www.themotorcompany.com/Full-...d-p-16158.html

It was used during the 60s and 70s to clear the steering box on full sized cars with dual exhaust.

[Olds Nut]

Thanks Olds64 for the info.

[redoldsman]

I just got this from my friend Bob Campbell. Bob is a very knowledgable guy and was previously the 54 Olds Tech Advisor for Olds Club of America. He included a picture and I will try and figure out how to send it. Sherman is his 54 Olds.

Glenn, I have heard that the PS is in the way when dropping in a 455, or
even for dual exhaust with a 324. A friend of mine (Fish) in New Zealand is
putting a huge dual turbo 455 engine in a '54 98 and says the stock PS gear
isn't a problem. I don't know why it wouldn't be??? The guy could e-mail
Fish and chat about the project. It probably would be benificial to both of
them. Fish is a really nice guy. petroject2@petroject.co.nz

As for Sherman's PS conversion, I used an early '70's Cutlass steering box,
which requires positioning on the frame and drilling a couple of new holes
to match. One hole lines up OK. The 4th hole above the frame raill can be
used by welding a piece of tubing (pipe) to the frame and running a bolt
through it. You have to use a 1956 - 1958 steering arm because the Cutlass
steering shaft has a larger spline but you still need the ball end to
connect to the '54 / '55 drag link. You have to cut the shaft on the
column and install a rag joint. The collumn mast jaclet requires shortening
a bit and a support bearing installed on the bottom end. It's not a
terrible job but you need some good skills and knowledge. See attached
photo.

In 1956 Olds went to the late bolt pattern as is used on the Cutlasses.

I hope this helps. BC