Maybe you guys can help me with this one. I have a good buddy that asked me to help him with a crate motor swap into a 57 Chevy wagon. The problem is the generator/power steering combo unit. The thing is on its last legs and I had assumed I could convert to a one wore alternator and use a chevelle style power steering pump/bracket and make up some hoses to retain the original box. We need to retain the power steering, my buddy is mildly handicapped in one arm and needs the power assist. We are already pushing the limits of his budget after buying the crate motor, trans and mounts.

Well to make a long story short, a friend of his (one of those guys that knows it all but never lends a hand) tells my friend that we would have to change the rad and support to a 6 cylinder unit where the rad mounts in front of the rad support. And that we would have to change the power steering box to a 601 unit etc.etc..

Have any of you guys found a cheap way of over coming this problem?

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

and now back to your regulary scheduled Chevelle engine questions. :D

If you are putting the v8 in and need more clearance you can mount the radiator on the outside of the rad support if needed. My 57 belair with the stock 283 has the radiator on the inside, but it has the short water pump setup. On my 55 I mounted the radiator on the outside to clear the 427 with the long water pump. I didnt change supports, just made some brackets up. Are you changing to side mounts for the crate engine? I dont know if newer blocks even have the bosses for the stock front mounts. I have the same generator/PS setup on my 57, and manual steering on my 55. The 605 is the only upgrade I know of as far as power steering, but for manual steering a roller bearing idler arm is offered which is supposed to reduce the manual steering effort quite a bit. I think the stock manual steering is already fine, so I havent tried the roller idler. For some reason I think you need a manual steering center link to do the 605 upgrade, but its been awhile since I read up on it as my 57 is on the "get to it sometime" project list.

Rick

Email my dad at 50schevy@texasisp.com

He can and will answer most any question you might have in this area as he has a tri-5 restoration shop. I think the 605 is the
correct box.

thanks guys. I'm really trying to avoid changing the box if I can.

Rick, You might look up JimL82 and give him an email, he is a steering guru and might be able to help you.

Rick,
Why dont you just have a local electric shop rebuild the generator ??? Thats what we did for my cousin's 57 and it works fine. He drives the heck out of it and has had no problems. I ma sure there is someone rebuilding the PS pumps also if needed. That gets rid of all the hassels...just bolt it back on !

You may want to check out the modified '55-'57 forum at Chevytalk. There have been many posts on steering options.

Thanks guys. I have not had time to get back over to my buddies this week. I'll contact the guys you mentioned. I am also taking the geerator into a local rebuild shop to get an est on having i redone.

thanks