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Hey guys, I have a 68 Cutlass S that came with with power steering. Originally a 350 car, but will be putting in a warmed over 455 in within the next couple weeks. I have always thought the steering felt way too easy. I have a manual box from a 64 Cutlass, will this work in the 68? I did notice that the hole in the pitman arm is larger on the 64 box than the 68 PS pitman arm. If it is interchangeable, what all do I need to convert? I know I could do the later model Jeep PS box setup, but personally I like the cleanliness of no PS pump and the feel of a manual box better. Thanks in advance!
Yes, the manual box is a bolt-in. You need to use the pitman arm that goes with the manual box, since the PS pitman shaft uses larger diameter splines than does the manual box. As someone who did this in my young and stupid years, I would strongly caution against it. To get the steering force down to a manageable level, the manual box has a much slower ratio than does the PS box. You may also come to regret the upper body workout when parking. A far better solution is to have your PS box rebuilt with quick ratio gears and a larger torsion rod to mitigate the one finger steering issue. Then crank in more caster in the front suspension to improve tracking and feel on the road.
Yes, the manual box is a bolt-in. You need to use the pitman arm that goes with the manual box, since the PS pitman shaft uses larger diameter splines than does the manual box. As someone who did this in my young and stupid years, I would strongly caution against it. To get the steering force down to a manageable level, the manual box has a much slower ratio than does the PS box. You may also come to regret the upper body workout when parking. A far better solution is to have you PS box rebuilt with quick ratio gears and a larger torsion rod to mitigate the one finger steering issue. Then crank in more caster in the front suspension to improve tracking and feel on the road.
Do what Joe said or just buy a faster ratio PS box. I got this one from OPGI, and now it feels like modern power steering.
I remember parallel parking with manual steering, especially in stick shift SS & 442, even as a young buck it was more of a workout than I wanted. Manual steering does clean up the the engine bay nicely, though.
My 69 was originally manual steering, it didn’t bother me until I left for college. I had to parallel park at my apartment, IT SUCKED!!! I eventually put power steering on it.
Fast forward 20 years, I did the power steering gearbox conversion Joe mentioned. Night and day difference!! It definitely changes the way the car drives, I tell people it’s converting from “powerful steering” to power steering. It gets rid of the over boosted one finger steering. Not to mention making the steering wheel feel like it belongs on a car instead of a boat.
Yes, the manual box is a bolt-in. You need to use the pitman arm that goes with the manual box, since the PS pitman shaft uses larger diameter splines than does the manual box. As someone who did this in my young and stupid years, I would strongly caution against it. To get the steering force down to a manageable level, the manual box has a much slower ratio than does the PS box. You may also come to regret the upper body workout when parking. A far better solution is to have your PS box rebuilt with quick ratio gears and a larger torsion rod to mitigate the one finger steering issue. Then crank in more caster in the front suspension to improve tracking and feel on the road.
Thanks Joe. To be completely honest I’ve heavy cars without power steering and other than the parking, I kind of the feel of the heavier steering. I would like to do the rebuild/conversion at some point though, but unfortunately I still like the look of no pump on the block haha. Guess I have some thinking to do! Another question though while we’re here, which pulleys do I need to use if I were to keep the PS? I have the “short” Flow Kooler aluminum pump, and both driver and passenger mount alternator setups.
I remember parallel parking with manual steering, especially in stick shift SS & 442, even as a young buck it was more of a workout than I wanted. Manual steering does clean up the the engine bay nicely, though.
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The cleanliness of no pump is a big attraction for me. Lol
My 69 was originally manual steering, it didn’t bother me until I left for college. I had to parallel park at my apartment, IT SUCKED!!! I eventually put power steering on it.
Fast forward 20 years, I did the power steering gearbox conversion Joe mentioned. Night and day difference!! It definitely changes the way the car drives, I tell people it’s converting from “powerful steering” to power steering. It gets rid of the over boosted one finger steering. Not to mention making the steering wheel feel like it belongs on a car instead of a boat.
powerful steering! Lol. You’re 100% right. I have my 68 with PS, and a 64 with manual. But my daily driver is a 1995 Lexus sc400. So not really fair to compare the older 2 to the newer, but I sure do like the Lexus handles haha. Hopping from that to the 68, sure does feel like going for a cruise on the lake lol.
