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As the Load Turns.
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Another thing I hated about these cars was the way it steered. At least the ones that I have owned
have had 16:1 ratio steering boxes. Trying to take a sharp turn, or to parallel park had more circular motions
than waxing a cadillac. I would hate to drive one of those 20:1 pre 70's GM cars!. Well, doing a little research
on the subject and finding a lot of help on Classical Pontiac led
me to 3 conclusions. #1 was to take my current box and ship it to www.powersteering.com.
For $220 + $40 shipping and 3 weeks turnaround they would refurbish the box. The guy there would put
a 12:1 constant ratio gear in it. #2 would be to get a Monte Carlo SS box out of the boneyard and install it.
It has the correct stops and turning radius but also has metric connections and a different rag-joint than stock. The 3rd would
be to find an F-body steering box with 12:1 ratio and swap your old endcap into it to give it the correct stops and
turning radius. Since I spent all my money on brakes and suspension and found an SS box on ebay for $50 I decided to go with that.
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Above are all the parts you need for an 84-88 Monte Carlo SS steering box into an early
model A-body. This list was given to me by a guy named 'Goatwrench' who hangs on the CP Message Boards
| A) Monte Carlo SS Steering Box |
| B) Power Steering hose from an 85 cutlass Supreme with a 307 (its next to the original) |
| C) PS return hose fitting from a mid 80's rear wheel drive GM. |
| D) Metric fitting and pressure regulator behind it from the back of a PS pump from a mid 80's rear wheel drive GM. |
| E) Rag Joint from a 79-84 Chevy full size pickup truck |
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A closeup of the Metric fitting, pressure regulator and spring from an mid 80's rear wheel drive GM.
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Take the old SAE fitting out, which has an SAE inner thread and an SAE outer thread
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Put in the new fitting from the mid 80's rear wheel drive GM. Its got an metric inner thread
and AMAZINGLY an SAE outer thread, fits like a glove. Be sure to use the pressure regulator and
spring from the donor car.
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THINGS TO REMEMBER!
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Try to get the metric PS hose return fitting (at the pump) from sedan rather than a firebird/camaro as
it has the matching shape to the original SAE one from your A-body. I couldn't find a rag-joint for
an 79-84 fullsize GM pickup at any of my local auto parts stores. Being too cheap to get one from the dealership
I got one at the boneyard for a buck and rebuilt it with $6 rebuild kit. They are a pain in the ass
to rebuild because you have to cut out some welded in studs, but it can be done. Also, You must re-use your pitman arm
from arm from your stock box. The one that comes with the Monte SS box CANNOT Be used. Just go rent or buy ($15 bucks at
Autozone) a pitman arm puller and do the swap. Real easy!.
Overall It cost me bout 70 bucks to put in the Monte SS box in my LameAns.
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