pitman arm headache on my hands!

[1mean7Ddart]

someone please help me!!!!! i recently bought a FFI steering box (stage II) for my car. my car is a 70 dart with a 67 k member. ok so i go 2 install the box and figure out it has the large sector steering gear. so i go and buy the 73-76 pitman arm and install it. now the pitman arm is problem, it installs from the top of the center link and is not going in... if i change the center link to a 73-76 link i think i end up having problems with the idler arm... what can i do besides changing the k member!

 

[autoxcuda]

You can run a 73-76 idler arm. I've done it. For some reason my 68 had a 67 K-member in it. I put in a reman large pitman steering gear and centerlink. It's not pretty, but it will work in a pinch.

I ran it for 20K plus miles that way. Nothing I'm proud of, but it was what I had and someone had one in there before that.

You put a thick hardened washer on top and bottom (especially bottom) that fits real snug against the idler bolts. That will sandwich the center bearing sleeve in an Moog idler.

Use a Moog idler or similar that has a metal to metal bushing/bearing in there. Don't used the cheap ones that have a nylon type insert/bearing/bushing.

I take it you have a 67 Big block K-frame???

 

[1mean7Ddart]

no... its a small block k member... why its in the car... u got me! i decoded the car and it originally came with a /6... but any ways thanks for the tip buddy.

 

[69Dartconvt69]

I hate to say it but you will need to change out the K-member if you want to do it right. 67 is a one year only deal with a few anomolies, it shares some of the 66 design. I have a 70 or 71 SB K if you need it, I'm in Fresno. JB

 

[autoxcuda]

I hate to say it but you will need to change out the K-member if you want to do it right. 67 is a one year only deal with a few anomolies, it shares some of the 66 design. I have a 70 or 71 SB K if you need it, I'm in Fresno. JB

I agree, 68-72 K-members aren't too expensive. 73-76 K-members has a better motor mount design. But for that you need to swap motor mounts and the auto trans cooler lines if they are factory bent ones.

69Dartconvt69, You live in wilmington near the junk yards? Might hit those 3 yards and see what they have. Getting a K-member is sort of a task at a yard.

When someone swapped that car from /6 to V-8 they put in a 67 V-8 K-member.

 

[RedFish]

You can use the later model idler arm and weld a piece with a bolt hole underneath it. It will be about 3/4 inch lower than perfect but doesn't really hurt anything. If you feel it will be too low you will need to grind the original off the K and move it straight up 3/4 then add the piece underneath.

 

[1mean7Ddart]

i just came from 2 of the 3 junk yards in my area and found only one k-member on a 73 valiant and it was a /6 k-member... i think ima go to a couple more junk yards to see what i can find before i end up driving down to Fresno lol...mmmmmmmmmmmmm or should i just get the valiant /6 k-member and buy the conversion mounts???

 

[blue73duster]

I think all you would need is a centerlink and pitman arm for a 73- 76

 

[blue73duster]

http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/linkage.shtml
you might have already seen this,,might help

 

[1mean7Ddart]

oh yeah... im going to go get the centerlink and idler arm tomorrow off the valiant i found. but i guess im stilll going junk yard hunting for the k-member this weekend. i have 6 junk yard in my area. so that's 2 down 4 to go. boy that's going 2 be fun.

 

[blue73duster]

I read where the 67's are different , but I didnt see a picture of your present idler arm to know for sure what you had
hopefully the junkyard ones will work,,,,,,, good luck !!!