Power steering ideas for '61 Corvette

I know this isn’t a hot rod question, but I also know you’re the guys to ask!

My dad has a very original ’61 Corvette that he has owned for 30 years. He is having medical problems that are making it hard for him to manhandle it around anymore (and likely will never get better), so it basically just sits around in his garage.

A couple of problems are, 1. Corvettes don’t have a lot of room to do stuff like this to, and 2. When I say it’s original, I don’t mean “restored” original, I mean ALL original. So it would be nice to not have to destroy the original components or cobble things up too bad.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!!!

 

By the way, I typed this out on the forum, and it didn't go through the first time, so I typed it out in Word and copied it the next time. Apparently that jacks up your formatting.

Edit, I got it to work by editing the original thread.

 

Try searching/asking here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

You will get the answer you need. Lots of very helpful guys on this board.

Chris

 

Thanks. Yeah, I've actually posted this on several forums like that, and wasn't satisfied with the answers. I just thought maybe I'd get a different/more creative perspective here.

Maybe not--but it was worth a shot.

 

Didn't Corvettes have a slave/ram cylinder setup in them?

 

2nd gen had the ram type. I don't believe power steering was an option on 1st gen Vettes. However, power steering was available on '54 Chevys which have a virtually identical front suspension and steering system. The problem with adapting that system, if you could find the parts, is that the front motor mount ***embly may be in the way of a power steering pump.

Just some thoughts from memory. Unless someone steps up with "I did it this way" it's a trial and error process. Just old time hot rod stuff.

Good Luck,

Charlie

 

Tri-5 chevy's had the power steering pump on the back of the generator, and parts are readily available for that.
Don't know the specific valving, but if a power steering slave/ram was available for the '54 Chevy, it'd be a real simple, clean solution that wouldn't mess with anything else. Just get the drag link, tie rods and a '57 Chevy generator with power steering reservoir and bolt it on.

That can be undone down the road easily, and shouldn't hack or change anything.
-Brad

 

Yes Brad,

That might be a workable solution. I'd forgotten about those p.s. pumps.

Charlie

 

My boss is really getting up there....80 years old, he has a really nice 1958 Corvette, with the dual quad solid lifter motor and four speed. A few years ago he asked me to get power steering installed so we sent it down to Anaheim to these guys

http://www.corvettemike.com/service/corvette_service.html

they did a super job of installing a slave/ram system on it.

 

Thanks guys. This is exactly the kind of stuff I was after. At least it gives us someplace to start.