Re: [Amc-list] Rebuilding my transmission and adding power (steering)

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Thomas, I didn't read the whole message!
I've added power steering using a late model steering box. You don't 
have to change the column, not if you're willing to cut the shaft from 
the original steering box and grind it to mount an adapter. The tricky 
part is making sure you cut it the right length! Of course you can cut 
it long, then measure what you need to remove. Making 2-3 cuts is better 
than getting it to short! Mounting the box can be tricky too. You don't 
need the adapter that AMC used, but you will need to make a spacer and 
drill a couple 3/8" holes in your front chassis rails. The only thing 
you really need to be concerned about is that the pitman arm on the new 
box is the same length as the old one and the taper on the end that goes 
into the steering drag link is the same. The taper changed around 67 
(I'm not exactly sure when it changed). You may have to weld the drag 
link and buy a taper boring tool to make it work right. If you have the 
setup from a 65-66 Classic or Ambassador you can just change the 
steering column and all, everything will bolt right into the 63-64 big car.

The original 63-64 power steering used a hydraulic cylinder that doubled 
as the drag link. It was anchored to the passenger side of the car, and 
the standard steering box pushed against a valve on the other end, 
activating power assist. Those are leak prone now, and the dust seals 
are hard to find. The inner seals are simple o-rings though, so it's not 
to hard to rebuild, and you can fabricate some dust seals or may be able 
to modify early 60s Ford parts to work (they used a similar setup-- may 
be same manufacturer).

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)

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