Well, finally got some hoist time at my good friends shop, so today he helped me convert my standard steering to power steering on my '63 Biscayne. I am very pleased. I used a couple of different manufactures parts, as my Son gave me a complete Flaming River power steering pump, brackets, and separate reservoir that he barely used before going to a serpentine belt system on his 350 Chevy. I then bought the new style 500 series power steering box and hoses from Cl***ic Performance Parts out of California... It is the newer box that is shorter, and on my set up did NOT require modifying the radiator... The Flaming River stuff it typical Flaming River....very nice...as well as very compact. It bolts on the drivers side of the motor real low, clearing the drivers side alternator by a bunch. The CCP parts are really awesome, and totally as advertised. The new box bolted right on..only change was the new box uses 7/16' bolts, so you have to drill out the three steering box holes in the frame to 7/16". Slight problem was they sent me the wrong rag joint/steering rod...was about 6" too short, so required a bit of modifying between the old and the new to work. When done works very well. I only drove it about ~20 miles home, but drove like a dream. Very tight and responsive, but not over touchy.....will be nice for this old geezer of (71) next time I am parallel parking, of backing into a stall at a car show..the steering ratio is 14:1 I am on my new computer with Windows 10, so can't post pictures yet...(my problem, not the computer's ) Will try to get some soon. My total cost was ~$500, but the free Flaming River parts are ~$500 new also...so for about $1000 plus some labor you surely can improve the handling on these old X frame Chevy's.. Anyone considering this conversion should check out the CCP set up.
I am on my new computer with Windows 10, so can't post pictures yet...(my problem, not the computer's ) Will try to get some soon. (from my post above)
Well I think he took pics as he said he can't post pic yet because of windows 10 so no use apologizing if he didn't take any...Maybe I read wrong..I was right.
Ow, I got it too...Same wave length? Windows 8.1 is still a learning curve for me to get the pics from camera to folders, haven't dared [scared] to try from phone!
OK ... Updated with pictures....hope this works..Think I got it figured out..I know they did load, so we will see if I can get them on here. Now don't bother h***ling me about the hoses and slobber around it...we spilled a bit, and forgot that the one lower bolt on a 283 goes into the water jacket...yep, found that out the hard way..... When I get some more cash, I will clean up the hose routing with better lengths, but this shows you what it is. Remember this is a driver, not a show car Also I have put about ~125 miles on it now, and it performs just awesome...
One question on this set up... I had intended on running two separate belts...one for the alternator and another for the power steering pump. I went ahead and changed both belt pulleys to do this. However due to time using my friends shop, and needing to shim out the alternator to use the front belt we just hooked up one belt, figuring we would see how it worked. I have no squealing when not moving, or revving up on the road so considering just running off the one belt. Any experience or advise on this ? Thanks much....
I would not do that for the final setup. Power steering stuff might have some problems down the road and then your sunk. You will also have to run the belt tighter than I like, causing more wear on all the parts the belt turns and the belt. My 3 cents, Good luck, your car looks great! Gary
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