Need some input from the pros:

Replacing my power steering gearbox on my 1970 El Camino SS396:

Should I replace with stock or a quick ratio 2.5 or 3.0?

First one I have ever had to replace, so I value any thoughts you have plus provide a good source to buy a replacement one.

Thanks, Jim

Jim I had Chip overhaul mine and he done a really nice job....He is a stand up guy and offers a lifetime warranty if you stay with your original box.
http://www.powersteering.com/

Good Luck,,,,,:beers:

2.5 turns on a Chevelle is not possible. A fast ratio gear box, meaning 12.7 ratio, yields approx 3 turns lock to lock on GM A bodies.

Here is what Jim Shea (who worked in the GM Saginaw steering design dept) wrote in another thread...

A-bodies usually require a full travel Saginaw power gear in order to reach the suspension stops (full lock to full lock.) This requires a gear with pitman arm travel in the 83 to 87 degree range.

Fast ratio 12.7 x 85 = 1,080 degrees / 360 = 2.99 steering wheel turns full lock to full lock.

Look what happens if you have a 77-81 Camaro where the suspension only requires a gear with 67 degrees of total travel.

Fast ratio 12.7 x 67 = 851 degrees / 360 = 2.36 turns full lock to full lock.

Jim

Jim, You can still order a new/rebuilt gearbox from GM. Order one for a 84-87 Monte SS. I put one on my Fathers '71 and I just got one for a buddys 69 GTO. I think it's about 2.5 turns lock to lock but you do lose some of your turning radius, so keep that in mind. If you know someone at your local dealer you should be able to get one for around $185.00 Just an another option to think over.

Jim, You can still order a new/rebuilt gearbox from GM. Order one for a 84-87 Monte SS. I put one on my Fathers '71 and I just got one for a buddys 69 GTO. I think it's about 2.5 turns lock to lock but you do lose some of your turning radius, so keep that in mind. If you know someone at your local dealer you should be able to get one for around $185.00 Just an another option to think over.

If you're going to go that route, why not suggest he order a box with the proper turning radius, such as the 94-96 Caprice 9C1. That box was the 12.7 fast ratio police car version & came with the large .210 T-bar. It also has the identical turning radius as a 64-72 Chevelle.

Hey Pete,
I apologize ahead of time for hijacking this thread. This may sound very stupid but why are people so hot then for the Jeep GC steering box when they can get the Caprice 9C1 box that will bolt in and has all the good stuff that you mentioned(same turn radius, .210 T bar, etc)? It sounds like this is a better deal all around.

Thanks everyone....so you are saying I just need to go to GM and purchase a 94-96 Caprice 9C1 power steering gearbox? Appearance the same as original Chevelle stock? Any modifcations I need to do? Thanks Jim

Jim:
I installed a Jeep Grand Cherokee box on my 70 SS 454 Sta. Wgn. I bought a rebuilt box from A-Zone Price is around $139.00, Rag joint $25.00 Advance Auto (If needed I have the Pt. # ) Two addaptors from Lee Mfg. in Calif. $15.00. The job will take 2-3 hrs.
My box has been on for two years and " NO--ONE " has ever NOTICED it. It is a Saginaw box and looks just like the Chevelle box that you will be removing. The Chevelle pitman arm bolts to the Jeep box.
I like the idea of STOCK hoses, And the stock OEM look. The reason for the rag joint change is this. The shaft on the Jeep box is I believe 1/8" larger or smaller than a Chevelle. I drive my 70 SS 454 Red Sta. Wgn about 3-5000 miles a year and LOVE the Jeep box. It has the feel like my 03 Silverado.
Bob

Hey Pete,
I apologize ahead of time for hijacking this thread. This may sound very stupid but why are people so hot then for the Jeep GC steering box when they can get the Caprice 9C1 box that will bolt in and has all the good stuff that you mentioned(same turn radius, .210 T bar, etc)? It sounds like this is a better deal all around.

Dave,

It was Jim's thread, note mine! ;) The main reason I mentioned the 9C1 box was Troy suggested he order one from the Chevy Parts counter. I was simply noting that if one was going to go in that direction, they may as well order a box with the correct turning radius for a Chevelle. A Monte SS box does not have the same steering travel as a Chevelle box.

IMO, the Caprice box is a better deal than the Grand Cherokee box, but the reason most guys opt for the GC box is availability. I myself used a GC box when I made the swap, but only because I couldn't locate a 9C1 Caprice box when I was looking. Not all 94-96 Caprices had the 9C1 option, so you have to look at Jim Shea's paper's to learn how to identify the cars which had them.

Bottom line, both will be significant improvements over stock 64-72 Abody boxes, but if I had a choice, I would go for the Caprice 9C1 box.

Thanks everyone....so you are saying I just need to go to GM and purchase a 94-96 Caprice 9C1 power steering gearbox? Appearance the same as original Chevelle stock? Any modifcations I need to do? Thanks Jim

I'm not sure if the GM parts counter replacement box will have the same specs as the OEM 9C1 box or if it's a generic box meant to fit many applications. If you can confirm it's the fast ratio box with the 12.7 ratio & the .210 tbar, I would grab it if the price is right! :yes:

Both the 9C1 & the Grand Cherokee boxes will bolt right in. The only visual difference when installed is the lack of the 4th bolt boss which the Chevelles don't use anyway. Like Bob said, you'll need a new rag joint & you'll have work out the metric fitting issue. I didn't have any luck with the Lee adpaters, so I changed the fitting on the back of my PS pump to metric, & I used a pressure hose from a 87 Cutlass with a 307 V8.

Pete, I was unaware of the Caprice interchangability. That would be the obvious choice if thats the case. Thats good to know.

My friend went with one of the moded quick ratio type steering gearboxes for his 70 bbc chevelle with ps and was displeased.

Not because of its qucker ratio but the fact he had to now maually pull/turn the steering wheel back to center-neutral position post every turn he makes when he didnt have to do that wit the stock ratio box.

Thought it may have been just a tight box neeing breakin but 2 yrs later same thing and when later aksed post install the seller of the box told him thats way it is with that moded quick ratio box.

So if you decide to go that route ask if the streering wheel will return to neutral/middle/straight positon by it self like with stock steering box before buying it or you may be sorry.

Scott

I used the gear box from an 88 Caprice 9C1 in my 69 and it works fine, still had to get the rag joint and line converters as mentioned before.

If you were able to get the caprice gearbox to bolt on to a 69, will this also fit on my 68? My gearbox started leaking, well more like spraying and I plan on changing it. I haven't hear about this Caprice option before so I was wondering if anyone has tried this ona 1968.

The bolt pattern is the same for just about any Saginaw box you choose to install. The later boxes use metric o-ring fittings and use a smaller 3/4" input shaft, requiring a newer rag joint. I bought a quick-ratio box from an Xtreme S10 pickup, and it bolted right up. I don't have my Chevelle on the road yet, so I can't say if I like it or not. Got the info for the swap from a HotRod mag power tour Chevelle buildup a couple years ago. I think the Jeep box is popular because they're plentiful.

Jim,
I've done the GC box swap on a couple Chevelles...including a few of my own.
A great upgrade IMO and can be done at a reasonable price.
If you need any help, drop me a line.

The numbers on my 1970 El Camino gearbox are 5691676 37 \ 56 \ on the main case. On the cover the numbers are 5686555.

Can anyone tell me what the numbers mean and are there any date codes or other numbers I should look for?

Thanks
http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv261/jimhudgins4/dcp_1089.jpg

Those cast numbers are exactly that - they are casting numbers. The housing and top cover parts came into Saginaw under a casting number. The housing or top cover was then machined and it became a new part number. The gear housing could be machined a number of different ways so that casting number does not mean anything.

BTW, since the Jeep Grand Cherokee gear box has metric o-ring ports, the original casting for the Jeep (and all GM gears after 1979) would have different casting part numbers because the cast area around the valve ports had to change to match the o-ring configuration.

Jim