can you block off the power steering box?

The gear ratio in these boxes is ridiculously high. Would it really be that hard to steer? Isn't it like 23:1 or something?

Having just swapped from power to manual (but not driving yet), I think its a pretty positive swap. My car lost almost 40 lbs, and there's a lot more room in the engine compartment on that side. Also no pump to leak all over everything.

Steve