I know it's not Chevelle related, but I have a question for my new 57 Bel Air. I've noticed everyone selling '605' steering box conversions for 55-57 Chevys. What did these come out of? I'm thinking of doing it the cheaper way and buying one from AutoZone, but they need an application. Anyone know?

JimmyP, check over yonder at Chevytalk. I have a copy of a post that was made in late October 2002 on the 58-60 forum that listed all the donor cars and all necessary tidbits needed for the conversion. I'm sure there are some differences since the 55-57 was a rear steer setup. Someone will know the answer over there.

Briefly, donor cars are 1978-84 A, G, F and H bodies. The boxes are marked with a "605" casting. Don't forget that the 80-84 models were metrics.

If you don't find what you are looking for, I can send you the complete story on the 58-64 conversion process...keeping in mind there will be some differences for the 57.

FYI, Delphi Saginaw Steering came out with a new "600" power steering gear around 1998. It is used in the base GMT800 pickups, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Nissan pickups.

This new gear is far superior to the 605 for two reasons. The old 605 used an acme screw thread inside the gear to push and pull on the rack. This system had higher friction and more lash than the recirculating ball system used in the 605 gear. Also, the 605 gear uses a modern bolt-on rack and pinion control valve.

I am quite sure that some suppliers have come up with adapters to use this gear in old Chevrolets and other applications.

OK, I know what an A and F body is. What is a G and H bodied car?
I have a junk yard I can get parts from really cheap!

H Body--Vega, Monza and the Olds, Pont and Buick equivilents..

G Body--A bodies were redesignated G bodies in 1978. Malibu/Monte/El Cam, GNX/Regal, Grand Prix, Cutlass.