Were there GM part #'s cast into the steering linkage, like the tire rod ends, the drag link, and the sway bar? If so, was there a specific location. My understanding is these should be left unpainted, mine seem to have been painted white then black. Probably someone thought white would look good, then painted black when the engine was out and the car was repainted. Thanks.

In a lot of cases Saginaw Steering Gear parts (iron castings and die castings) had numbers cast somewhere on the part. However, that was always the raw casting part number. As soon as the part was machined (at Saginaw) it then became a new part number because it was different from the original casting. It was also possible to take the same casting and machine it into more than one configuration - therefore one part number could actually become more than one additional part number.

Also this could also happen: A steering gear casting could come into the Saginaw plant; be machined into another part number; but then have different valves, different pitman shafts, etc. So a gear housing with one number cast on it could end up as many different gear assembly part numbers because of the many different components that were assembled into it. That is why cast numbers on Saginaw (and most likely General Motors) parts have very little meaning.

On very simple parts such as pitman arms, one casting was only machined into one part number. It became common practice to just call it by its casting number. I don't know if the part was serviced by the actual casting number or not.

Hope that this helps,
Jim

Thanks, I have found the #'s on the pitman, steering gear box, and idler arm. Maybe the drag link, etc didn't have a # cast into them. Looks like the gear box leaks a little power steering fluid; is this an easy fix?

James, hey I was wondering if you had the casting # handy for a '66 power steering pitman arm? I'm converting mine over to power steering with the cherokee gear box and have an old power steering box from what I think was out of a '67, but been to long to remember.If I could come up with the casting # I would know for sure if I could use it.Thanks 66nut

my book list 5693764 for 65-67 with Power Steeting

Thank's James, I'll see if these match up to what i have

Careful not to confuse CASTING number with Chevrolet PART number.

P/S Pitman arm is part number 5693764 but has casting number 5693763; same for non-P/S Pitman arm, part number 5693762 but casting number 5693761.

just had to check it out in the garage this afternoon, casting # is as Dale said, 5693763.