Manual Steering Conversion

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dICKj

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How much is involved in changing a 1974 318 Duster over from power steering to manual steering.
 
pull the PS gear box and the ps pump and brackets. put on the manual box and put on an adapter for your power steering column to hook up to the manual gear box. should probably get a new pitman arm to install while you are messing with it, and new tie rod ends if yours aren't pretty new.
 
Manual column is longer, different pitman arm and gear box, lose the double groove crank pulley and Tuff steering wheels are not recommended because the foam loosens from the core........Am I forgetting anything?
 
A manual box, can use the column coupler adaptor or change out the steering column, maybe a pitman arm. I have an older coupler adaptor in my car, it wiggles some and makes the steering feel sloppy...
 
Why change to manual? Header clearance? Slow steering ratio for drag racing? Leaks?
 
I think 67-72 use the same pitman arm whether it's a Manual or Power box. 73+ I think used 2 different pitman arms.
 
Roadfeel and weight reduction would be my reasons.
road feel: a new firmfeel or borgsen box will take care of that
weight reduction: so it's a full race track only car, nice ....because if it's not, i don't think your going to notice the difference
your car: do what makes you happy :thumbsup:
 
road feel: a new firmfeel or borgsen box will take care of that
weight reduction: so it's a full race track only car, nice ....because if it's not, i don't think your going to notice the difference
your car: do what makes you happy :thumbsup:
Manual boxes are cheaper tho. I am a Cheap Bastard JR.
 
Actually, it was only to clean up and simplify belts and pulleys- but sounds like more than it’s worth. I will just keep the power steering. Thanks for all the input.
 
Manual boxes are cheaper tho. I am a Cheap Bastard JR.

Not to dissuade you but how do you intend to drive the car? If its quarter mile, run narrow front tires and hit occasional cruise in show stuff the stock manual box 24:1 is OK. If you plan to drive spiritedly in modern traffic, hit some back road twisties and run some meaty tires you might consider some other options. The 16:1 manual box might be an OK choice, but they are not cheap either and has its draw backs.

What steering pump do you have? The line pressure can be reduced to to get rid of the over assist and bring back that road feel.

I went from a 24:1 manual box to a Firm feel Stage 3 and 900 psi Saginaw pump and it feel like a manual rack and pinion in a light car (like a Pinto with a 2300) but there is enough assist to parallel park with one hand and not a pinky like stock and not both hand slapping at the wheel 400 time like a slow ratio manual box.

Its really going to come down to how you intend to drive your car.
 
Not to dissuade you but how do you intend to drive the car? If its quarter mile, run narrow front tires and hit occasional cruise in show stuff the stock manual box 24:1 is OK. If you plan to drive spiritedly in modern traffic, hit some back road twisties and run some meaty tires you might consider some other options. The 16:1 manual box might be an OK choice, but they are not cheap either and has its draw backs.

What steering pump do you have? The line pressure can be reduced to to get rid of the over assist and bring back that road feel.

I went from a 24:1 manual box to a Firm feel Stage 3 and 900 psi Saginaw pump and it feel like a manual rack and pinion in a light car (like a Pinto with a 2300) but there is enough assist to parallel park with one hand and not a pinky like stock and not both hand slapping at the wheel 400 time like a slow ratio manual box.

Its really going to come down to how you intend to drive your car.
Spirited back road driving. 3:91s. The car is not a Highway cruiser at all lol
 
I have a complete solution to change to power steering in my master kit. Bergmanautocraft.com. You're 73 will have to have the column collapsed to the power length. No parts necessary. You will need a pitman well. PM with questions.
 
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