I was wondering what people perfer. I have PS now and am considering replacing it with manual for a less cluttered entgine bay, HP gain, and less headache of dealing with brackets.
Who has manual and is happy with it. This car will be a weekend cruiser, not a drag car. Thanks!

I have P/S and I like it... especially for a cruiser...

I don't think I would switch either way, and definitely NOT remove the P/S if I had it...

How much HP loss is there anyway? Would it make a difference in a street car (assuming fairly inconsistant ETs anyway)? Maybe a race car where you were after that last bit of power/weight reduction...

As for a hassle with brackets... maybe the first time you set it up, or pull the engine, but otherwise, I have never had to hassle with the brackets (its not like the SB alt brackets that break all the time...


On the less cluttered engine bay, its not as bad as a big-old brake booster sitting there...

IMO, if a car already had manual steering, maybe it wouldn't be worth converting to power (of course, it depends on the driver), but unless you have the entire manual steering assembly to swap in (and know it's in good shapoe ) AND you Power is going out, it would be more of a hassle to replace...

Last year, I added power steering to my '69 SS. My first comment was:

How in the world did I ever do without this?

The car handles and tracks so much better. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I'm not a serious racer. I use my '69 for cruising, shows, an intermittent blast down the track.

As far as the appearance, I think it looks great when properly detailed.

Rick

I am taking my PS out also & I had all March brackets & pulleys but I just want to try the
manuel also. Waiting for my Flaming River
manuel box & if you want a pain in the a**
order one from them.
Larry

I've been driving mine for the last two years with a power steering box and no pump. My pump started leaking so I took it off, looped the hose and been using armstrong steering. I prefer manual steering.

What is the purpose of the car??? If it is a street driven car, then go for the power steering.If it is a drag only car then remove the power steering.

I converted the Lemans to manual steering when I installed the motor. It makes my Land Cruiser feel like a Ferrari. I wouldn't do it again.

Its like ripping out the air conditioning! I wont use it so im gonna tear it out!Yea that 1 hp. gain will make the car fly but think of how much easier it is to steer now.Freinds of mine with manual steering on their Chevelles would kill for power steering!Cluttered engine bay......come on!!!

Keep the power steering, your are not going to gain much power if you remove it, and it will definitely drive better with power steering!!

Drive better? I would argue that point. My car goes straight as a string when I turn loose of the wheel...sure its a little harder to steer than regular manual steering,but heck,I drove a 1983 Kenworth Cabover with NO power steering for 3 years. Just start turning a little sooner :D

My '68 SS396 came from the factory with no power anything. Steering, brakes, (not even discs). I never had any problem with manual steering (though when parking it seemed like around 20 turns lock-to-lock), but those drum brakes sure scared the bejeeses out of me a time or two!

I say keep the PS and upgrade to a tighter ratio box. You'll be glad you did!

As far as horsepower gains, you won't notice it unless you're a helluva consistent racer.

I lost the power steering belt on the way home from the track, one evening.

Thought "Hey I just leave it off, and remove the pump for free horsepower, and less weight".

Well turning takes more effort, and at the next track outing I was no faster, not even a little bit.
(Not that I'm very consistant anyway, but my mph, is usually a high 105 or low 106 typically)

In my case the original powersteering remote resevoir, and pump, and brackets are all missing, so I bought a manual box. Hoping to make under the hood look more stock, and correct. :rolleyes: also I think turning with the manual box should be easier than the power box without the pump.

Keep in mind that manual steering boxes have different ratios and, I believe, the pitman arm - connecting the output shaft of the box to the center link, is different. Both of these differences are to provide more mechanical leverage, thus reducing the effort required at the steering wheel. That's why Robert is getting such a work out with his PS pump simply disconnected.

Also understand that the presents of power steering, or manual steering, has zero to do with how the car "tracks", IE; going straight. Assuming the steering box (manual or power) is in good repair and adjusted properly and all the rest of the steering and suspension components are up to snuff, going straight is purely a function of suspension geometry, settings, tires, and even brakes.

One of the biggest complaints levied upon power steering systems in old cars is poor - or more typically, non existant road feel, usually because they were designed with far too much boost. Suspension design and tires also play a huge role. Now days we have stiffer suspensions, shorter tires, variable ratio steering boxes, and pumps that reduce boost as vehicle speed increases.

Shoot - just realized I'm giving answers to un-asked questions.

Probably not a noticable HP gain by removing it. It will suck to park it. If you spend your time on the highway it's probably a wash but if you putt around town I'm guessing you'll miss it.

Dan

Dan, that's true, the power steering gear shouldn't give any assist when the car is tracking straight down the road, unless it's a really early '60s setup with lots of assist built into the valving. I don't mind the effort of manual steering, but the 6.5 turns lock-to-lock is what kills me. Might try a fast-ratio manual gear before I install PS.

i have a 67 4 door chevelle with manual steering.. i like it..... when the car is moving above 5mph it feels like it has power steering... when its standing still or moving really slow .. under 3 mph the steering is hard as hell... although i have no complaints here either... mine will be my daily driver when its ready but so far im definitely happy with manual...

I hear ya Tony but I gotta ask; were there ANY 60's PS systems without bags-O-assist? On my skinny tired car manual steering wouldn't be much of a problem - even at a complete stand still. Different story on something wearing bigger, stickier shoes though.

Dan

manual steering here and i like it. first thing i do on my weekend drivers is put in manual steering. mike

I'd keep it, it isn't that much clutter, mine looks ok doesn't it? Besides, the future wife may want to drive it on occation... :D

I have no power anything on my BB 4 speed. No problem. I wish I hadn't added power to my 57.

I'm gonna replace my manual box with power as soon as I can. I didn't mind it for the first few years, but parking sucks, and so does turning a tight corner while needing to shift the manual trans.

The thing that scared me the most was suprising myself and getting a little bit sideways one time. I couldn't turn the 6.5 lock to lock manual box fast enough to catch it. I'd love to have a power box so I can spin the wheel faster with one hand to catch these sorts of things.

How old are you? If you are less than 35 do the manual thing. Everyone knows a real man's car is hard to steer, super hard clutch, tired to the last millimeter of clearance in the wheel well and loud as hell. As you age you'll like the nice power steering, soft clutch, and good looking tires, A/C, and peace and quiet. It's all realitive. When I was a kid, late 60's everyone stripped their cars down and was embarassed to have any options other than power. Now, these same guys are looking at "how many options it got"? Make it what you want. You can always go back, with enough money.
Peter

I think if any of the manual steering guys could feel their cars with proper close ratio power setup, they'd give up manual forever. Then again alot of cars built to go fast in straight line.

What are your plans for the car? If you want it to handle then definetly go with power steering. If not you'll feel like your beating a dead horse.

Later
Steve

There are a couple advantanges at the track by changing over and that is the weight advantage. The manual box weighs a lot less than the power box. You don't have a pump or fluid. That is weight off the front of the car as well. I did not weigh them but I would say it is a 5-15lbs difference plus not counting 1-5 hp difference from driving the power steering pump.

Now from a driving standpoint if you lose control of your car for some reason I have to believe the power steering would let you regain control more easily. Just my .02.

I kind of equate, manual steering with a 4 speed manual transmision.

Some people just want to do it themselves.

Hey all there is a different worm that can be installed in our manual boxes i believe from corvettes that gives a huge reduction in lock-lock, the stockcar guys use them in the really low end cars that have to use a factory box. I believe Howe in Mich. used to carry them, if you can shed more light chime in as i'm also in the hunt for one.

If you ever blow a front tire, you'll wish you had power steering.
Grover