advise for manual steering

[ninjapumkin]

Currently i have power steering in my 64 Polara 500.
I would like to convert to manual steering. What all am i looking at?
Where can i find a steering box? what years will fit? etc.
Deeply appreciated for any advise.

Ed

 

[5.7 hemi]

Any year manual box from a b body or e body. Also you'll need an adapter from flaming river to convert from power to manual.

 

[brandon64]

Any year manual box from a b body or e body. Also you'll need an adapter from flaming river to convert from power to manual.

or a manual steering column.

 

[ninjapumkin]

Any year manual box from a b body or e body. Also you'll need an adapter from flaming river to convert from power to manual.

What exactly does the adapter do? How is it that the steering column
for that year is so much different? I just dont see an adapter.
Thanks for the patience.

 

[68GTX4SPEED]

Looks like this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopa...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae0f2dda5

 

[ilm65]

The steering column for power steering is shorter due to the box being larger than the manual--thus, the adapter is actually an extension. Locate and install a standard manual steering box (rebuilt if possible). From my experience, DO NOT install the 16:1 Flaming River box--my Satellite steered like a bull dozer. I eventually went back to power steering, but went with a #2 unit from Firm Feel. Good luck, Bob

 

[wedgie]

I changed my '65 Coronet from power to manual steering. Actually used an "A" body box. Got the manual steering column adapter from Mancini as well as the quicker ratio worm and sector kit. I also drilled and tapped the box for a grease zerk (while it was apart). If you use a bushed box like I did, you can see that there is a space between the upper and lower bushings where you can install a zerk. I like my current setup much better than the old power steering setup which, although newly rebuilt, felt like it was way over assisted.
The swap is pretty easy and straight forward. Good luck.

 

[ninjapumkin]

Thanks for the advise fellows. Its a next on my project list of "to do".
I have always liked the cleaner more open look in the engine compartment.
I did it to my 69 Roadrunner as well. Manual steering. Manual brakes. Since im the only
driver.

 

[ninjapumkin]

Oh. Do i need to change the pitman arm?

 

[383man]

Piece of cake. All I did on my 63 was find a nice used manual box and installed it with the adapter to make up the difference for the shorter p/s shaft. Here is a pic. Ron

 

[ninjapumkin]

Piece of cake. All I did on my 63 was find a nice used manual box and installed it with the adapter to make up the difference for the shorter p/s shaft. Here is a pic. Ron

Nice clean look!!

 

[Cranky]

Many times when the car is hard to steer with a manual box, it's because of wide tires, lower air pressures, too much caster or wimpy arms . I'm not a muscle bound guy but I had all the caster I could dial into my 66 Belvedere plus larger than stock tires, plenty of negative camber but kept my tires up close to max inflation and it wasn't a problem steering but I couldn't single hand it to parallel park it. A lot of caster dialed in makes the car hard to steer at slow speeds but it sure makes things more stable at high speeds! Bulk up them arms!

 

[383man]

Nice clean look!!

Thank you. Ron

 

[ninjapumkin]

But do i need to change my pitman arm?