First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List Re: Power Steering Adj by "Niklas Ridell" <vcc2.nridell@memo.volvo.se> Re: Power Steering Adj by "Gary Patrick" <Gary@tcworks.net> Re: Power Steering Adj by "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Re: Silicone Brake Fluid by "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com>
(back) Subject: Re: Power Steering Adj From: "Niklas Ridell" <vcc2.nridell@memo.volvo.se> Date: Thu, 03 May 2001 09:56:59 +0200 I have just completed my swap to a 3:d Gen. steering box from a '84 Trans Am GTA. When I had the box laying on the floor and turned it by hand I had 2.4 turns lock to lock. When installed in the car it = seems more like 2.0 before the spindles hit the control arms. The box bolted right in and looks similar to the old one. Only problem is the nipples use o-rings to seal. So you can't use your old hoses that seals with a cone. You must use custom made ones. For the high pressure hose I used the old nipple at the pump and in the other end i used a pipe that I found on a gearbox from a '89 chevy van. Took them to a hydraulic hardware shop and crimped them together with a hose. Cost including labor was less than 20 bucks. (Not my time = counted...) For the return line I used a pipe from that same '89 chevy mentioned = above. Slightly adjusted the way it was bent and connected it to the steering = pump with a hose and clamps. For the nipples on the late model gearbox you will need a 18 mm wrench. If the setup works? -Don't know yet. I'm planning to start up the new engine and go for a test drive this = weekend. Wish me good luck. /Niklas freyj@mascorp.com wrote: > > Gary and the rest, > > I made a few calls to track down a ps box as you recommend. Two places = have > cautioned me that the late model WS-6 does not show as interchangeable = on > the early model cars. They said the swap is for 77-later. Do you think = it > should work, or is it worth making it fit? One guy has a WS-4, he = says > will work direct swap and feels this is a good option. Is $75 = reasonable? > > Thanks, > Jeff > > >Thanks Gary. Now I have an excellent reason to head for the boneyard = this > weekend. - - Jeff > > >>Jeff its not the pump its the gearbox that makes the difference. > >>Go buy a gear box from any Trans Am 69-78 and use that. > >>Better yet is the WS-6 Trans Am box from 78-81(2.2 turns ) > >>Pump is just fine. Check Achieves for notes on this.Gary > >
(back) Subject: Re: Power Steering Adj From: "Gary Patrick" <Gary@tcworks.net> Date: Thu, 03 May 2001 06:16:20 -0400 One guy has a WS-4, he says will work direct swap and feels this is a good option. Is $75 reasonable? Jeff, all Trans Ams were WS4 A WS6 is the optional suspension/braking performance package. Trust me I have a 80 TA WS6 in one 68, A 75 TA WS4 In another,and a 79 TA WS6 in a 67 Tempest Sprint. Since you dont know the condition of the box $75 is a little high for a plain Trans AM box. It is a good price for a WS 6 tho. There were changes in the hoses and isolator(rag joint) in later years See Achieves for details on this. Also look for Buick Grand National or Monte carlo SS, They have the same box but the internal stops are different. Gary
(back) Subject: Re: Power Steering Adj From: "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Date: Thu, 03 May 2001 07:47:00 -0500 Jeff, I Install a WS6 box from a 80 Pace Car. I got the lines and the part the = screws into the back of the PS pump were the high pressure hose screws = into. The 80 up used O-ring fitting. I had to bend the steel section of = the 80 TA high pressure hose to get it to attach right (very easy to do). = The 79 and 78 WS6 boxes I believe have the right hose connection that = allow you to use your existing hoses. This is a great conversion, but you = should have a 1 inch sway bay and good tires first. The WS6 units are = high effort and give a much better road feel. I think NAPA sells rebuilt = WS6 boxes. Shorter turning radius to. >>> FREYJ@mascorp.com 05/02/01 05:18PM >>> First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List .......................................................................... Gary and the rest, I made a few calls to track down a ps box as you recommend. Two places = have cautioned me that the late model WS-6 does not show as interchangeable on the early model cars. They said the swap is for 77-later. Do you think = it should work, or is it worth making it fit? One guy has a WS-4, he says will work direct swap and feels this is a good option. Is $75 reasonable? Thanks, Jeff
(back) Subject: Re: Silicone Brake Fluid From: "Frank Zeller" <fzeller@tri-austin.com> Date: Thu, 03 May 2001 07:50:30 -0500 I've had real good luck with it. The dot 5 does not absorb moisture so = you will cylinder stay in good shape, even if the car sits up for a long = time. I rebuild my complete brake system in 1986 and the it still in good = shape after 60K miles and 15 years.