OK, first off, I'm NOT building a numbers match car. I'm gonna DRIVE this thing.
So my question is: Is there ANY reason I can't use '71 or '72 Chevelle steering parts in my '66 ? I'm not talking some of them, I'm talking everything, from outer tie rod to outer tie rod. Also, I'm converting to Camaro spindles and Camaro disc brakes, (the '66 has drums). I've got the Camaro parts, (left over from the "ball and chain" Camaro project). AND I'm gonna use a quick ratio power steering box from a mid '80 Monte Carlo SS. Any comments are welcome. (I did a search and could not find anything on my specific question).

What year camaro are the brakes from?

I'm not sure about the linkages, as 64-67 have a 1" narrower track-width than '68-72, so some or all of it may be different... I haven't compared the parts I took off my '69 to what's on our '66.

the spindles/brakes are from a second gen ('70-'81) Camaro. I wonder if the track width is from the wheels or in the frame. The lower control arms are all the same dimentionally. The frame spec. book I've got shows a 1/16th" difference in the width of the frame at the control arm mounting points.

I just looked it up in the frame-repair manuals, and '66 upper A-arm mounts are set 5/8" narrower than '72... not sure about lower mounting points, but I guess it's not quite the 1" I thought I had remembered. :clonk:

The 2nd Gen F-body spindles add a little complication to the mix, as they will require different outer tie-rods (from S10/G-body) and machined lower-balljoints. They used to be a very popular swap, but they are not as popular anymore as there are better options now available that do the same to correct the camber curve without the negatives of increasing the already-bad factory bumpsteer.

I just went through the same basic changeover.
The later Camaro spindles DID NOT FIT.
The spindles that I got off the 70 Chevelle fit but the tops of the tires are now pionted inward (negative camber) with no room to go outward on the upper A arms. Part of this could be the 5/8" offset mentioned in the replies and part of it is explained best in this series of posts/replies: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179006 I will be trying their recommendations tonite. Also, I did put heater house around the spring ends where they ride in the cups on the frame and lower A frame. This was done as a psuedo replacement for the stock rubber pads. This did add some distance to the spring. When I look at the spring positioning, it appears that the upper A arm swings inward and gives some negative camber as I jack the A frame. If this is true (comments welcome), then I may cut the spring to lower the vehicle 2" and bring the camber negative. I am not quite sure this will work as I believe a dual A frame setup is made to keep the camber in the same geometric plan as the wheel travel up and down. Any comments would be welcome. Thanks much,
Scott

More:
The spindles appear to have the same offset from
the 66 with drums
to
the 70 with disks. When I say offset I mean camber. There is a different spacing for the backing plate of the brakes in order for the upper spindle bolt to clear the brake disk.
Here are some other differences for 66 to 70 Chevelle
outter tie rods are more robust on the 70
the main drag link ball joints are TOO small when going from the 66 to the 70
same for the pittman arm when going from the 660 to the 70 (both the joint end and the pittman arm). As a result, I am back to stock steering.
Unless you have a 66 donor car, good luck understanding the power steering brackets, especially considering their are no bracket mounts drilled/tapped into the small block head of the 66.
So if anyone tells you this is a direct bolt in up grade, don't believe it. Take your time, measure, and compare. That way your car won't sit in pieces while the best shows of the summer pass you by.

OK, so if I change EVERYTHING from the steering box on......box, ptiman arm, drag link, idler arm, inner and outer tie rods, I should be OK ? I see I need to use a G body outer tie rod, I've got aftermarket tie rod adjusting sleeves for a second gen Camaro, the steerring box is from a 86-87 Monte SS, the "more robust" '70 up parts have the same thread sizes as the Camaro and G body stuff, I'm gonna use a tubular upper control arm. It's gonna take a couple of weeks. i'll let you all know how it turns out, good or bad, with part numbers ect.

Well, a 68/newer center link is exactly the same as a '66, EXCEPT, it's longer or wider how ever you want to call it. It would put the pitman arm pointing out and the idler arm pointing out, it is only about 1/2 to 3/4 " longer, but..............just an update.