POWER STEERING , how long?

[slepysal]

I wanted to do my power steering swap this Friday, and wanted to ask those who have done it about how long "should" it take?

[LILRED66]

It all depends on:

your skill level
if you have all the correct parts
the tools you have

I have done several power steering conversions on 4-5-6 Chevy trucks and it can be done in a long afternoon. If all goes well, it can be done in 6-8 hours.

Surely, someone will chime in and say they can do it quicker, however I am not trying to win a contest to see who is faster, I just know how long it usually takes me.

[MEANlowGREEN]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

It all depends on:

your skill level
if you have all the correct parts
the tools you have

I have done several power steering conversions on 4-5-6 Chevy trucks and it can be done in a long afternoon. If all goes well, it can be done in 6-8 hours.

Surely, someone will chime in and say they can do it quicker, however I am not trying to win a contest to see who is faster, I just know how long it usually takes me.

I did mine in 19 minutes 17 seconds! Just kidding, LilRed66 is probably pretty close to an average time it would take providing you have the correcct parts, tools and a fair amount of skill. I'd think the average competent DIYer could do it in an afternoon.

[slepysal]

Cool LILRED.
I wanted to know if it could be done in a day , and who beter to ask then those who have done it. Im still debating on using my tilt or wating to do it when I re wire thanks

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by slepysal

Cool LILRED.
I wanted to know if it could be done in a day , and who beter to ask then those who have done it. Im still debating on using my tilt or wating to do it when I re wire thanks

If you have the tilt column that matches your power steering box, that may save you some grief - already the correct length/connections

[joe231]

yeah it all depends on what parts you are using. I did our '66 in about the time frame Tony is saying, i used factory p/s steering brackets, had to raise the engine slightly to install them. I had to do some frame welding. found some cracks under the manual box. The truck already had the newer cross member and steering components. I did use the stock column, so I had to cut it down and weld it. oh and it takes a little bit of time to bleed the air out of the system also.
it is very do-able in a day

[slepysal]

Great !! I have the pump already instaled, and the p/s kit from CPP for my year 1960, hoses,belt and gear.
I'll post pics thanks again

[protrash64]

It goes easily enough; I had my whole front end apart so no idea about the time frame. I thought the hardest thing would be shortening the steering shaft and even that turned out well.

[gulfcoast66]

a good days work.. You got the newer tilt so everything should line for you easy..

[Alan's Classic]

It's taken me a year and a half and I'm not half way done yet.

[ChiefRocka]

Wait a minute...I thought you had P/S already ??

[slepysal]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Wait a minute...I thought you had P/S already ??

I have the pump installed, but have not got around to installing the box, hoses and fixing the steering shaft

[ChiefRocka]

I thought I seen a P/S pump on your sixer at the Alum Rock gettogether last time ??

[ENHANCED AIR RIDE]

I've done a few 60-66s. Just did a 62 with the 250 3 on the tree. That one was a PITA. Definetly doable in a day as stated depending on what all you want to do, ie column etc.

[ENHANCED AIR RIDE]

after

[jmedero]

ok help the new old truck guy out with a question. Why is your ps pump behind that other item in your engine bay? Every one I have ever seen is on its own bracket off of the belt drive track. Thanks and sorry again for the rookie question.

Juan

[jmedero]

ok help the new old truck guy out with a question. Why is your ps pump behind that other item in your engine bay? Every one I have ever seen is on its own bracket off of the belt drive track. Thanks and sorry again for the rookie question.

Juan

[ENHANCED AIR RIDE]

Originally Posted by jmedero

ok help the new old truck guy out with a question. Why is your ps pump behind that other item in your engine bay? Every one I have ever seen is on its own bracket off of the belt drive track. Thanks and sorry again for the rookie question.

Juan

Hello Juan
That is a rare generator/power steering unit from the tri 5 chevys. I believe it came on 58 and 9 cars too. The p/s pump and brackets for the 250 "stovebolt's" are like hens teeth to find. I did find a set of brackets for the 250 but decided to use this instead since I found a rebuilt unit fairly inexpensive. Had to custom make the mounts and rebuild the generator. Worked awesome!!!

[slepysal]

well like always, something came up. I need to replace the pitman arm, but I didnt want to wait to get one from work on monday, so I orderd it from a local parts house.
It will be in at 11 am they told me . So in the mean time I installed the hoses, worked on the steering shaft, and finished installing the box.
I called to see if my pitman arm had come in,nope. The driver left it at the wharehouse, It will be in at 12:30 , so I waited . At 12:30 I get a call "your BALL JOINT is in , yup ball joint..... So now I have to wait till tomorow.
any ways any tips on installing the pitman arm ?

[slepysal]

all done !! I will post pics soon

[Chevy Fleetside]

cool....

[joe231]

well....you know what is coming........

[slepysal]

Originally Posted by joe231

well....you know what is coming........

yea yea yea.................

here are the components and new gear




and the old gear

[slepysal]

the old gear is out, no problem with the frame......




the addaptor plate installed

[slepysal]

here is my oe steering shaft before and after






I stayed with my original column, due too time issues, I will install my tilt at a later time