Torque spec for steering box

[chevyhed53]

I have a rebuilt Saginaw-style gearbox on my '56 Chevy truck, which has a mid-70s front end. The shop manual for mid-70s Chevy trucks says that the nut on the pitman arm shaft should be torqued to 145 ft-lbs. But the info I got when I ordered a Summit rebuild kit for the box says 100 ft-lbs. The box is leaking at the pitman arm shaft, which is why I bought the rebuild kit. Is it possible that torqueing it down too much caused the leak by crushing the seals? And what is the proper torque spec?
Thanks!

[dsraven]

I doubt the torque caused the leak. before you get too far in check the bearing/bushing on the output shaft to see if it is sloppy. also check the shaft for wear in the seal area. the torque for the big nut should have no bearing on the seal leaking because the pitman arm is above the nut and then there is a space before the seal. usually the leak is a worn spot on the shaft where the seal rides or else a loose bushing so the shaft is allowed to "wiggle" around and allows the seal to leak some.
some auto parts stores can supply torque values for any given job.

[bowt1ed]

Pitman arm torque on Saginaw (800/605) box should be 145 lbs. Is it a reman Sag? Even with 145 ft lbs., the pitman arm should not cinch all the way to the box, but most of the way on the splines. I would bet the inner seal wasn't replaced when rebuilt or surface is marred.

Jim

[chevyhed53]

Thanks for the responses. I'm about to get under the truck to drop the pitman arm and see exactly what was done or not done with the last rebuild. And 145 seems right to me.

[tmoble]

is it a manual or power box?

[chevyhed53]

Power