Manual to Power problem...

[DQ81]

Getting far on the Dart, on the streets any day now. New problem:

Got power steering setup from a '74 factory 318 Dart.

Put it all in my '73 (factory /6 now with conversion mounts 318) Dart.

Pitman arm looks different, upon inspection AFTER installation, DOH!

Result: drivers tie-rod binds. Center shaft gets pushed up by pitman so much engine won't sit on motor mounts. Plus pitman balljoint doesn't push up enough to get the bolt on. Can't be right.

What am I missing? Pitman on origional manual came from above, power one come from under and pushes everything up as a result it seems.

Are the pitmans interchangeable?

I thoght this should just be a bolt over deal. Got the column, box and pitman from both cars.
TIA

 

[grumpuscreature]

The Pitman for a manual and a power box is different, but they both should bolt to the center link from above. Try flipping your power Pitman over on the box. They will bolt to the box upside down.

 

[DQ81]

Thanks.

I'll try that.

The pitman I have, as it's mounted now, bolts onto the center link from underneath which seems strange. That's the way the guy pulled it from his Dart.

What's the difference between the pitmans? The length isn't it as the power box sits deeper it's pitman is shorter? Are they interchangeable, I think remember something about the splines not being the same/as many correct?

Any tips on getting that pitman off (it's now in the car but on a lift) as I tried some heat and a baljoint seperator and neither made it budge the littlest bit.

 

[grumpuscreature]

In '73 the diameter of the output shaft on the steering box got bigger. For some reason MaMopar took the opportunity to redo the steering setup and changed the Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm as well. The '68-'72 steering setup will bolt to the '73-'76 K member and work well as long as you use the '68-'72 steering box, Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm. The '73-'76 steering box, Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm will also bolt up to a '68-'72 K member. If the steering box and Pitman arm you have was removed from a working system, I would advise you to get the center link and idler arm from the donor car as well. Sounds like it was swapped over to '68-'72 parts sometime in the past. On the '68-'72 setup the Pitman stud and the idler stud bolted into the center link from the bottom. On the '73-'76 setup the Pitman and idler bolted in from the top. You will need a Pitman arm puller to remove the Pitman arm.

 

[blue73duster]

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/mo19ebo19bo11.html


this is what you need if its a 73-76 p/s box

post some pics if you can, that way people can tell what you have

 

[blue73duster]

In '73 the diameter of the output shaft on the steering box got bigger. For some reason MaMopar took the opportunity to redo the steering setup and changed the Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm as well. The '68-'72 steering setup will bolt to the '73-'76 K member and work well as long as you use the '68-'72 steering box, Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm. The '73-'76 steering box, Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm will also bolt up to a '68-'72 K member. If the steering box and Pitman arm you have was removed from a working system, I would advise you to get the center link and idler arm from the donor car as well. Sounds like it was swapped over to '68-'72 parts sometime in the past. On the '68-'72 setup the Pitman stud and the idler stud bolted into the center link from the bottom. On the '73-'76 setup the Pitman and idler bolted in from the top. You will need a Pitman arm puller to remove the Pitman arm.

ya everything from the donor car would be best
i didnt think of that until i read your post....duhhh

 

[DQ81]

In '73 the diameter of the output shaft on the steering box got bigger. For some reason MaMopar took the opportunity to redo the steering setup and changed the Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm as well. The '68-'72 steering setup will bolt to the '73-'76 K member and work well as long as you use the '68-'72 steering box, Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm. The '73-'76 steering box, Pitman arm, center link, and idler arm will also bolt up to a '68-'72 K member. If the steering box and Pitman arm you have was removed from a working system, I would advise you to get the center link and idler arm from the donor car as well. Sounds like it was swapped over to '68-'72 parts sometime in the past. On the '68-'72 setup the Pitman stud and the idler stud bolted into the center link from the bottom. On the '73-'76 setup the Pitman and idler bolted in from the top. You will need a Pitman arm puller to remove the Pitman arm.

Thanks a million. That´s clear and concise information that gives me the knowledge to create a solution. You have no idea how many days if not weeks of frustration you´ve saved me.

BlueDuster, thanks for your input, same applies to you, thanks dude!

I´m gonna call the guy from the donor car for the center link etc.

I think the info listed above should be a sticky. I see a lot of questions about power to manual boxes, which years and combo´s will work etc. and this is just about all you need to know to figure it out.

Sticky! Sticky!

PS= My Dart is a ´73, but has ´72 tail lights-rear bumper setup. So I´m pretty sure it´s an early ´73 and probably came from the factory with the older style steering setup.

I ALWAYS manage to buy the crossover year cars that just have the experimental part, or just had something changed which they changed back so it´s hard to get. lol

This should be a simple fix, thanks!

 

[DQ81]

Got the center link. Problem solved. Power steering rocks although it is quite light when going fast.

I can see why some would prefer manual..

Thanks for all your help!

 

[grumpuscreature]

That's what we're here for. Thanks for passing along the outcome, that don't happen often enough.

 

[DQ81]

No problem,

I try to post the outcome as much as possible, it helps people when they are searching.

All too often I find a thread on topic for my problem without a conclusion, that can be frustrating.

Thanks dudes. Abodiesonly rocks, just tryin' to do my bit.