Early Vs. Late Steering Linkage Differences

[SpeedThrills]

My 74 Dart Sport was a slant with manual steering. It's now a 360.
When I put it together, I used 1 3/4 Hooker headers. I don't know the part number, but they list as fitting 68-72. They were NOS on eBay.
They fit great except where they go around the steering linkage. I was a bit puzzled, but went about beating the ba-geez-us out of one tube on the drivers side. After all, Engine Masters said it doesn't affect power. Hmmm.
The pass side went in nicely.
Afterwards, I read on here that the pitman arm, center link, and idler arm are different between 72 and earlier, and 73 and later. Earlier pitman and idler studs point up, later point down. I think this thread shows it. I am so confused. What pitman arm do I need? Idler? The situation is a bit different on the car in the link, but is that what I need? A 72 and earlier pitman, center link, and idler arm? If so, will they bolt to my tie rods (center link), steering box (pitman) and k-frame (idler)?
I want to install parts that clear the headers, so that I can repair the tube I beat mercilessly. They fit okay now, but that one tube is reeeeeally squished.

 

[Professor Fate]

Swapping the linkage parts MAY help your clearance issues, but- If you have to repair the one header tube that didn't clear anyways, why not just repair it so that it clears your current linkage and save the money you'd be spending on new parts...?

 

[SpeedThrills]

Swapping the linkage parts MAY help your clearance issues, but- If you have to repair the one header tube that didn't clear anyways, why not just repair it so that it clears your current linkage and save the money you'd be spending on new parts...?

That's an idea. I'll have to look at it again. It's been about 3 years. As I recall, however, it would take quite a bit to go around the existing problem.
And yes, 68-72 parts MAY still interfere. But the headers were designed for 68-72, and fit well other than the issue that involves the difference in the 73- and up issue.
@67Dart273 Del, being that you posted on my linked thread, would you be able to confirm that I'm on the right track by getting the 68-72 parts?
EDIT: I was just looking around for an early style center link. Seems no one makes one?

 

[Jim Lusk]

Nobody makes center links because they are a non-wear item. One should be easy to find, however. You will also likely to need to change the steering gear.

 

[SpeedThrills]

Nobody makes center links because they are a non-wear item. One should be easy to find, however. You will also likely to need to change the steering gear.

Thanks. I was thinking that about the center link. But if I need a different steering box, I’m going to have to re-think this.

 

[autoxcuda]

Thanks. I was thinking that about the center link. But if I need a different steering box, I’m going to have to re-think this.

The manual steering boxes are the same splines 60-76 passenger cars. So the 68-72 (pointing up) pitman will interchange with the 73-76 pitman. For manual steering cars only. Also, that 68-72 pitman is the same P/N manual and power steering cars.

So you'll just need a 68-72: Pitman, Idler, Centerlink (non wear). Then you'll have to re-adjust your tie rods.

 

[Ironracer]

My 74 Dart Sport was a slant with manual steering. It's now a 360.
When I put it together, I used 1 3/4 Hooker headers. I don't know the part number, but they list as fitting 68-72. They were NOS on eBay.
They fit great except where they go around the steering linkage. I was a bit puzzled, but went about beating the ba-geez-us out of one tube on the drivers side. After all, Engine Masters said it doesn't affect power. Hmmm.
The pass side went in nicely.
Afterwards, I read on here that the pitman arm, center link, and idler arm are different between 72 and earlier, and 73 and later. Earlier pitman and idler studs point up, later point down. I think this thread shows it. I am so confused. What pitman arm do I need? Idler? The situation is a bit different on the car in the link, but is that what I need? A 72 and earlier pitman, center link, and idler arm? If so, will they bolt to my tie rods (center link), steering box (pitman) and k-frame (idler)?
I want to install parts that clear the headers, so that I can repair the tube I beat mercilessly. They fit okay now, but that one tube is reeeeeally squished.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. Not for linkage... but that damn 7 or 8 qt Milidon pan. Didn't have to horribly beat it, but it got the beat down

 

[SpeedThrills]

The manual steering boxes are the same splines 60-76 passenger cars. So the 68-72 (pointing up) pitman will interchange with the 73-76 pitman. For manual steering cars only. Also, that 68-72 pitman is the same P/N manual and power steering cars.

So you'll just need a 68-72: Pitman, Idler, Centerlink (non wear). Then you'll have to re-adjust your tie rods.

That's what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. I'll order the idler and pitman, and post on "Parts Wanted" for a centerlink. Thank you.
The front end hasn't been aligned yet since major work being done on the entire car.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. Not for linkage... but that damn 7 or 8 qt Milidon pan. Didn't have to horribly beat it, but it got the beat down

My pan is stock. No grief there. But I've felt terrible since I gave that tube it's beating. It never did anything to me!

 

[AJ/FormS]

Does your 74 car still have the 73up spool mount K? If yes, then the engine brackets that go with that late-K put the engine in a slightly different place than the biscuit 72 and older mounts; IIRC the spool-mounts are a tad higher.
Your car can use either steering system, BUT; the pitman arm has to fit the sector shaft of the steering box that you have or the one that you intend to use. One is quite a bit bigger than the other. All the tierods and adjusting sleeves are the same. All the studs and holes are matching.
To recap; there are just 4 parts that are a matched set; the two steering arms, the centerlink and the sector-shaft/steering box.
My car has the early biscuit-mount K-member. I found with my TTI headers, that the later steering fit a lil better, BUT;
1) I had to raise the engine a bit,
2) one side a lil more than the other,
3) shave the stud down on the pitman arm,
4) clearance the 7qt Milodon RR oilpan for the centerlink,
5) still dent a couple of pipes, nothing crazy, and
6) tie the engine down with a torque-limiter.
Welcome to HotRodding

 

[SpeedThrills]

Does your 74 car still have the 73up spool mount K? If yes, then the engine brackets that go with that late-K put the engine in a slightly different place than the biscuit 72 and older mounts; IIRC the spool-mounts are a tad higher.
Your car can use either steering system, BUT; the pitman arm has to fit the sector shaft of the steering box that you have or the one that you intend to use. One is quite a bit bigger than the other. All the tierods and adjusting sleeves are the same. All the studs and holes are matching.
To recap; there are just 4 parts that are a matched set; the two steering arms, the centerlink and the sector-shaft/steering box.
My car has the early biscuit-mount K-member. I found with my TTI headers, that the later steering fit a lil better, BUT;
1) I had to raise the engine a bit,
2) one side a lil more than the other,
3) shave the stud down on the pitman arm,
4) clearance the 7qt Milodon RR oilpan for the centerlink,
5) still dent a couple of pipes, nothing crazy, and
6) tie the engine down with a torque-limiter.
Welcome to HotRodding

The car is all 74. I used Schumacher mounts to install the 360. The headers fit so well otherwise, that I'm pretty sure (Oh yeah, I know better, been hot rodding 45 years or so!) the right pitman, idler and center link will fit correctly.
The way I understand what autoxcuda said, the pitman arms are the same spline if they are manual, which is what I have.

 

[AJ/FormS]

Lemmee guess; Schumacher adapter engine brackets onto the slanty K, right?

 

[SpeedThrills]

Lemmee guess; Schumacher adapter engine brackets onto the slanty K, right?

Yes.

 

[oldkimmer]

Loosen the mounts off. Lift engine then retighten. Kim

 

[SpeedThrills]

I finished this today.
I swapped the idler and pitman arms with new for a 68-72 manual steering. I replaced the center link with a used one from
member barracudakid.
I made a patch (shown welded in in pic) from exhaust tubing (same gauge), using cereal box cardboard to make a template. I clamped the patch in place for welding using two hose clamps.
The centerlink will only go one way, and it almost works the "wrong" way. I don't have a pic of what the right way is, just be sure.
The only catch is that the new pitman arm has a grease fitting that will hit the tube right where I patched it. I ordered a 1/8 pipe thread plug to use in between greasings.
Thanks to all for the help!

 

[RustyRatRod]

That's one way to do it.