manual steering adjustment
 

My 68 has manual steering that seems to be tougher than what it really should be. I've had several vehicles with manual and this truck is by far the hardest to turn, especially when backing my boat. Is there any adjustment on the gear box or could I need a new gear box? Or are these trucks just tough to turn? Thanks.

check your grease in the box, the only way to do that is to remove the three bolts in top of the box. the box may be about to go bad, it might get hard enough to brake the stem leading back to the steering column.

do you have proper inflation of the front tires? very low tires can make one harder to steer.

I have a '68 with "manual power" steering also and I can confirm it is truly a bear to turn. I think mine has the original non-power steering setup, though and I can't tell if the box was ever cleaned and/or refurbished.

I concur. My 68 is a real bear at slow speeds. No problem once moving of course but for parking or that sort of thing it is not only hard to turn but real slow to turn. I have bumped things more than once trying to park it. We get used to power steering on vehicles. They not only turn easy but fast.

Just to add to the discussion, if any of the ball joints, steering knuckles, idler arm, center link or tie rod ends are frozen from lack of grease it will cause the steering to turn hard. Also the manual steering wheels are bigger in diameter than power wheels for the extra leverage. IIRC.
VetteVet-old and needs power steering.