Power Steering Gear Box

Q: Power Steering Gear Box

I have a 68. Box is leaking, I’m going to change it,Is there a better box I can go to,Better ratio and such?

A: First off you can easily replace seals in your box, its not that big of a deal. I however do like the newer style steering boxes, I have a Z28 and a Trans AM box on each of my 1968 Birds. The output shaft and frame bolts on old and new are identical and the steering box looks the same externally. Lock to lock turns are now about 2.3 and 2.5 turns on each car. These boxes are also higher effort and provide good road “feel”.

The are however some differences in modern and old boxes. If you get a 76-78 Z28 box(probably same for Trans AM), the imperial hose fittings(existing ones) will still work, after these years, the new metric style hose fittings with O-ring is used, you can get new hoses made up.

The other difference is the diameter of the input shaft, my Trans AM box had a smaller diameter input shaft and I used a coupling from an old manual gearbox we had and it mated perfectly to the flex coupling on the car.

A: Best Gear box is the 78-81 with WS-6 package. All 79 silver anniversary cars had this . Another clue is 4wd disc brakes. No external marking to differenciate the box so make sure its still in the orginal car before you pay big bucks for one. I ve seen them go for as much as$150. 2.2 turns lock to lock and an awsome road feel. Well worth the effort. I ve had one since 1980. Also will Work on 64-72 A body but the turning radius is compromised

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