Manual Steering Box

[njk53]

My brother and I run a 71 Chevelle Station Wagon, Big Block stocker. What manual steering box would you guys think would be a good application for this car? The car weighs 4200 lbs. We currently are using a manual box out of an S-10 Pick Up and it just doesn't seem to steer right. I know it is a heavy car but I have to think there is something better out there.

[Jim Kaekel]

Borgeson Steering should be able to fix you up with a manual steering box for a '68-72 GM "A" Body.

[ss3011]

I have a 1971 Lemans Wagon , and I use a factory GM manual box . Seems to work OK , the S-10 box may be a little lighter , but is there a correct pitman arm to match the correct geometry ? Could that be why it steers funny ?

[Hacksaw]

You might want to check center to center of the pitman arm and the ldler arm. They should be the same length

[Chipper Chapman]

Originally Posted by ss3011

I have a 1971 Lemans Wagon , and I use a factory GM manual box . Seems to work OK , the S-10 box may be a little lighter , but is there a correct pitman arm to match the correct geometry ? Could that be why it steers funny ?

Factory A/F body box is smaller and lighter than an S10 box. Shouldn't be real hard to get a factory style box with flaming river and borgeson repoppong them. Check your local parts store or Rockauto and you may be able to get a reman cheap. Allstar performance also sell thems and proper pitman arms

[Greg Reimer 7376]

In my years of A bodies,I learned a thing or two. In the world of 64-72's, the pittman arm is dimensionally the same, even the part number forged into it is the same. these are forged, not cast, for obvious reasons. The difference is that the 66-67 Pittman arm has a larger diameter tapered hole at the drag link. The 66-67 drag link has a larger diameter tapered pin at the end of the drag link. '64-65 and 68-72's will interchange perfectly.Make sure the drag link for the car is the correct year for that series, 64-65 66-67, or 68-72. The length will vary. If you put a 66-67 drag link on your 68-72 and try to compensate for the length difference with the tie rod adjustment, you will have problems.You might get the toe in and straight line ahead adjustment just right, but when you try to steer the car, the geometry goes out the window and the two front wheels won't even begin to follow each other, poor steering, tire wear and noise will occur, and it will not be obvious right away as to what caused it. The swivel joint on the drag link at the pittman arm joint is smaller in diameter than the 66-67,so noticeable looseness there will also be the result. Just make sure that the Pittman arm from the steering box and the drag link are the correct year for the car. I don't know if the S-10 truck Pittman arm dimensions are the same as to its length as the 68-72 Chevelle ,but if it's not, that same geometrical issue would surface. I bought three manual steering Pittman arms at a swap meet once for $20 each, got them home, they all had the same factory part number, but the small end dimensions of the hole for the drag link were not all the same. This stuff is starting to be available from OPG and other Chevelle restoration outlets. Just don't accidentally crossbreed a bunch of parts and create a mess.

[njk53]

The more I read the more I am thinking the steering box - pittman arm interface on our car is the problem with the steering effort. I know we have a heavy car but the steering seems to be abnormally hard. I am going to do some more homework to see what part number pittman arm is on our car. I do know for a fact the steering box is out of a S-10 pick up.

[FED 387]

The GM part numbers for a 68-72 Chevelle pitman you are looking for are as follows:

NON power steering----------- CAST # 5679206
-------- PART # 5679207


WITH POWER STEERING ----- CAST # 5679208
----- PART # 5679209

The part number for a manual steering box is I believe GM7842236 or some times referred to as a #525


Hope this helps--FED 387

[Hacksaw]

Also there are two types of s-10 boxes. I think the one with 4 bolts on the top cover is the popular one for swaps.

[Travis Miller]

It must be kept in mind that two parts with the same casting numbers can be different. The difference comes when the part is machined for different applications. That is where the part number comes into play.