I have a 1954 chevy 210. I'm running a 70 buick stage 1 455 with tb400. I have owned it for a Month and plan on making it my daily driver. I have went through front end new bushings, idler arm , new jamco spring 1" lower with fatman arms. The only thing left is my steering box. Witch is worn, my question is to rebuild stock manuel or find a power conversion to work. I know would have been easier to do a hole cross member ifs. But I'm already invested. Please help how or what to convert or stock rebuilt be allright. THANKS
While the 54 box was a good design there is not a lot of room for it when using a wide V/8 engine. Those cars were made for a skinny straight 6 and as such, the original steering box wants to be right where the V/8 exhaust is. My 50 chevy drove really bad and the old original steering box was not rebuildable with it's brass bushings. I found a 53-54 steering box was a direct bolt in for my car and I found a good used one on a buddy's parts car. The 53-54 has bearings instead of bushings and steers much easier...lasts longer too. If it was my car, I'd be looking for a good used 53-54 steering box with lots of threads showing on the adjuster screw. I like their design. And I was able to get my small block to clear by using 70s chevy pickup "twisted rams horn" manifolds. Maybe you can find a buick manifold to clear.
What was the 53-54 box out of. Your definitely correct about the exhaust. The linkage hits one way. originally I wanted to keep the manifolds but since I noticed that I'm going to make my own headers. About the adjustment I never thought about looking at the jam nut. Good idea
The 53-54 steering box was out of an old green 53 chevy 150 tudor sedan. Had the weird top and back window like a 52 chevy sedan. Any 53-54 chevy car should have the steering box you need.
In my opinion, you'll be well ahead of the game by investing in a good IFS replacement cross member, suspension and rack and pinion steering. That will solve your clearance issues and provide a good ride and handling. However good the internals of the '53/'54 Chevy box may be, the steering system in it's totality is too complex, bulky and has numerous wear points to maintain. It's near identical cousin is in my Studebaker, but only for a short while longer. Ray
I know that it is not traditional but on mine I used a rack and pinion from a 80s saab that it is the same used on the cavalier (late 80s early 90s), the centre steer one. If you do a search on here you will find a lot of info or have a look here: http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/rack-and-pinion.html V
there is a guy [he is on the hamb] that makes power steering kits for all kinds of stuff and sold me a pile of ill fitting, mis matched stuff that ended up in my scrap bin........i did have good luck with a kit from ccp that fit as promised and did not disappoint.
Except it has to be green. Rocky was it a two tone or did it have a flake roof? On a different trail here as far as power steering, I am going to cross the 61 year line in a few days and am crippled legally. I am not a big man as men go and I still drive manual steering and brakes. My wife likes power steering though.
I will be doing the Rack and pinion upgrade here soon to my 54 chevy 210. I did my own power rack and pinion on my 55 Buick a few years ago and it worked great. Kept the 18in steering wheel and ran off a 85 suburban pump. Used a tie rod kit from Speedway Motors. Drove like a dream. I plan on using the plans from Vinnie's post. I found it a few months ago and have a guy that will water jet the brakets out for me.
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