hi guys, my 1953 chevy is getting a 350 v8 with a frame off restoration. does anybody have any good ideas for the steering? i'm running stock suspension & the v8 already has power steering pump. i just want to make my steering wheel sit right in the cab and get around the v8 just fine. any ideas? -thanks
Run LT1 manifolds out of a 93-96 Caprice/Roadmaster/Olds 88 and the stock steering works just fine. I was going to run 88 Caprice 305 manifolds in mine, they'll work too but may have AIR tubes to remove and plug up. If you're keeping the stock front end you're super limited on power steering choices - a stock 53-54 setup (expensive and hard to find) or there are some reversed Astro Van boxes that can be used if you make a bracket.
ok that is good to know. and you don't have to move the box at all when you use those manifolds? cause other manifolds you have to move the box out an inch. and those manifolds will be fine with a 350 sbc? thanks
I don't know what manifolds require moving the box or how you'd even move it if you had to. As long as it points straight down towards the rear of the engine and the main tube comes up from the outlet in the head it should be fine. Most guys use the 90s Caprice set because they're not hard to find in junkyards. Worst case you have to cut the outlet tube and weld the end back on at an angle.
i agree with you aaggie, i don't really want to run power steering it but if it happened to work out it then i might. & thanks for the help, i think i can have it figured out now, thanks -kale
I don't know about these trucks. Are they a side steer or cross steer, and is the gear in front of or behind the front axle? If it's a side steer and the gear is in front of the axle, Toyota had a power gear in several trucks that would work.
yea, its a truck, the gear box mounts behind the axle & the pitman arm reaches down on the outside of the frame, and moves forward and backwards as it steers
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