Re: [AMC-List] art 1969 rambler (adding power steering)

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Art, the 69 has a Saginaw column with removeable intermediate shaft (the shaft between the steering box and base of column), so you're in luck! All you need that is AMC/Rambler specific is the adapter plate between the box and "frame" rail. You will find that on any 65-80 AMC car. Sometime in mid 80 the manual steering bolt pattern was changed to that of the power steering (or both were changed... I forget exactly) so that the adapter was no longer needed, just a spacer. You will need the box to go with the adapter. A six cylinder box will be just fine, but make sure you get a six cylinder pump -- the V-8 pump has higher pressure. Even if you have a V-8 in the car you will likely be happiest with the six cylinder pump. The V-8 pump has way to much boost for most people, unless you want to turn the wheels with a finger tip. That means no feedback through the wheel at all though. A little feedback is good, and the wheels are still easily turned with one hand (maybe two fingers!
  instea
d of one...). 

A later model Hornet/Gremlin/Concord/Spirit pitman arm should work. Around 65 there was a change in the tie rod end taper, so I wouldn't try to use an earlier model, and you'd be safest to use 67+. Hornet/etc. pitman arms are still available new. 

You can get by without the steering box adapter if you aren't afraid to drill holes in the rails. On a new model steering box (81+) one of the holes (I think it's the lowest one) will align with the existing manual box holes. I used a 1983 Concord steering box on my 63 Classic for a while (the pitman arm was a problem there!). I put the box in with the single screw then connected the shaft. The shaft is collapsible -- I think I had to pull it out and inch or so to connect to the Classic, which is a bit longer in front than the American or Concord. 

With the box connected I marked where the other holes should be. The top one was just above the rail. I used a piece of pipe as a spacer to run over the rail to the inner fender and drilled there. I seem to recall only using three of the four bolt holes -- the two at the base of the box and the one nearest the top (over the rail). The spacer for the Concord was used, but isn't necessary. It's a 1/2" thick spacer. Large nuts that will slide over the mounting bolts will work, but I'd use a piece of 1/4" plate (1/4" spacer should be sufficient) if you don't have the spacer, or a piece of 1/8" plate with nuts. That will strengthen the inside of the rail and spread the load -- something the spacer helps do as well. This means you can use ANY GM steering box. The earlier box can be mounted the same, but I'm not sure if any of the bolt power steering box bolt holes will line up with the manual steering box holes. 

Some late models use metric or odd size hoses. I have found that the vast majority of these use a screw in adapter for the hoses. Screw the adaptor out and you have standard US threads, but I don't recall the size. Any hydraulic hose place can make hoses, but if you pull everything from a Concord the hoses should work also -- provided the pump mounts on the same side of the engine. 

In 1974 the pump location and mounting changed on the sixes, I'm not sure about V-8s. If you have a six you will need pre 74 brackets -- unless you have a later model six installed. The late model brackets bolt to the intake, so the intake is the real clincher as to what brackets you need. 



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <artie468@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 5:01 PM
Subject: art 1969 rambler

> hi my son and i are building a 1969 rambler american and want to change 
> over to power steering we have all but the pitman arm, power steering box 
> and braket  between the frame and the box any info. on new or used parts. 
> or part numbers to look for thanks 
> art
>

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
_______________________________________________
AMC-List mailing list
AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.wps.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list