HonestDave

I've had a lot of sixties GM cars. They've either had power steering, or I've put it in before driving them. I'm wondering what my 65 Cutlass will be like to drive if I just leave it stock with the manual steering.
Can anyone speak to this issue from experience?

bassinguy

I have a 65 cutlass 330 4 speed that came with just power drum brakes. I had the front end rebuilt and aligned. Car drove and steered fine. Steering gear box was a little loose, but still very easy to drive. At take off making turns ,it was a little hard, but with stock steering wheel it did fine. A year or so later I did put power steering on the car because it made it easier for my wife to drive with the 4 speed. I feel better about buying the car since she can enjoy driving it. Hope this helps . Bassinguy

oldcutlass

I actually like manual steering. The only time its a workout is if your trying to parallel park. At speed its a pleasant drive.

HonestDave

Thanks for the opinions, fellows. I think I'll try it manual and see how I like it.
Happy new year !

RandyS

If you run wide tires in front it will add to the steering effort, but MS with stock tires is fine.

HonestDave

Just running 205/75R14 all around on 6 inch 65 Impala rims. Sounds like I may be okay with it.

MDchanic

The effort isn't the problem - it's the ratio. Manual steering boxes are way more turns lock to lock, and so going around a corner is like driving a bus.

Try it and see whether it bothers you. Maybe it won't. Drove me crazy.

- Eric

joe_padavano

X2. The problem is the 85 turns lock-to-lock. And yes, that REALLY gets old when you live in Boston and have to parallel park.

On the other hand, my 62 F-85 wagon has manual steering and brakes, and while admittedly it's about 1,000 lbs lighter than the later cars (and the aluminum 215 sitting over the front wheels vs. an iron 455 helps a lot), I have no problems driving or steering it.

marxjunk

i have a couple big pontiacs with 4 speeds and manual steering...i learned a long time ago..if you want to live with it, from a stop...the car needs to be moving before ya start turning..it doesnt take much...if i want to make it easy on myself..i just remember the rule

my cars are 4300+ pounds id guess...and no big deal..just keep it moving...and i love them both the way they are...