here is the latest in my super wagon project.
enjoy smile.gif
http://home.comcast.net/~petelohr/einstyn1/einstyn-10.htm

Pete,
Excellent article and excellent pictures.

I would like to make one clarification on your test to determine the ratio of a steering gear. Saginaw also made some variable ratio gears in that time frame. Contrary to what you would think, these gears had a slow ratio (higher number) right over center and a faster ratio at near full lock. The ratios were 16-13:1 and 15-13:1. Some variable ratio gears in 1969 and 1970 were listed as 16-12.4:1. These gears effectively reduced the number of turns lock to lock, but they were dogs over center.

My purpose in sending this information is that if all you do is check for steering ratio at full lock and back, you might think that you have a gear with a fast overall ratio rather than one that varies from on center to full lock.

So to be sure, you should check the ratio either side of dead center as well as the ratio at near full lock. This will provide the most information on your gear ratio.

Good luck with your wagon,
Jim

Is there any reason you didn't go with the NAPA rebuilt original equipment style quick ratio box? It's a direct bolt in without the need of any adapter pieces. Is the Monte Carlo SS box a quicker ratio yet? (I don't think it is.) The NAPA box can be had for just under $160.00 complete minus the pitman arm but, like I said, doesn't require any other parts.

I plan to use the NAPA quick ratio box but I'm curious to learn if there are any reasons to avoid it.

jim, you are absolutly correct. i kinda negated getting into the details of that to keep it simple. but i think i should at least mention it now. since i am upgrading a '70 i didnt go back older. what year did the variable ratio boxes occur? i know it was pre 70 right? i appreciate your input very much. graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Rich, i could be wrong but i thought the box you are talking about is only an upgrade for pre-1970. which brings thrm up to the ratio of a 70. i did not think it brought it up to a 12.7:1. but really i was looking for a junk yard solution as well. which i know doesnt make sence if you need to but the adapters. but i just documented what i did. does anyone know what thr ratio of the napa box is?

I don't know the ratio but it is 2.75-3.00 turns lock to lock instead of the stock (for '65) 4+ turns.

anything is better then 1965's box. :D but like i said the "lock-to-lock" doesnt tell anything. 1970 box is only like 3.25 turns L-to-L. so just by droping in a 70-72 box in anything older would be a great improvement.

Actually L to L can tell quite a bit so long as the stops are in the same place. Example-if L to L is 4 turns right now and a Monte SS is 2.5 turns L to L and is a 12.7:1 box then any box that can turn the same radius in 2.5 turns should be a 12.7:1 box. If I'm wrong let me know how 2 different ratio boxes could turn the same radius in the same number of input turns.

A-cars had variable ratio gears in the following years:
1969 code AU
1970 codes BA,CF
1971-2 codes CA,CL
1973 codes GA, JT, WU, XA, XB, WZ
1974 codes EP, GD, ER

I am sure that they had more VR gears after 1974 but I don't have the records.

thanks jim i did not know that.
dennis, obviously, the difference in 4 turns or 3 turns tells you "something" about the box, but to find out more specificly what gear ratio the box is, counting the turns does not work. they did not put stops in exactly the same place in each box and when you are comparing a 14:1 and a 12.7:1 the acuracy is too high to rely on that method, in my oppinion. anyway.

Rich, I just installed the NAPA quick ration box in my '65. It bolted to the steering and frame just fine, using the stock rag joint. I haven't driven the car yet, but hope to within the next two weeks. I have a few bugs from my BB swap to work-out first.

Wes, make sure and let us know how it "feels"!

Rich, will do. The front was rebuilt with energy suspension polygraphite control arm bushings. Ball joints, tie rods, idler arm, centerlink are all new. The front springs are new Hotchkiss small block springs, with KYB shocks. I bolted-on a T/A 1 1/4" sway bar, but I may put the 1.00" bar that was on the car back on. For now, the rear will have new, TRW stock BB conv springs and KYB shocks. All that's left is replacing the tranny, then I can break-in the cam, and get an alignment.

http://home.comcast.net/~petelohr/einstyn1/einstyn-10.htm
ok, i finnally got around to revising it with the new dat on the variable ratio boxes.
graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks Pete, you da man! :cool: