Another P/S Question

I am in the process of adding power steering to my 51 3A w/ a Dauntless V6. The donor steering column and shaft are from a 74 CJ5. These parts have 3/4" 36 spline shafts. The P/S box I chose ( Cardone 276537 ) has a 13/16" 36 spline shaft. Is there an adapter to mate these shafts up ? I am sure it's in the Saginaw conversion thread somewhere but I can't seem to locate it. Thanks

 

This place has many adapters for steering modifications.
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0008

 

www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?17911-Saginaw-power-steering-(pics)-please-add-yours!!

In google type site:earlycj5.net then type keywords like Saginaw and what not might help too.


Multiple ways of doing this.

As you will see in this thread above, which is the thread you couldn't find.

Some get a spud shaft that attached to the steering box then a universal joint, collapsable or non-collapsable shaft, another universal joint (steering u-joint)

I used a collapsible shaft, then picked up the correct universal joints on eBay (new). For example 13/16 36 spline - 1 inch DD
3/4 36 spline - 3/4 DD
These joints can have different ends on them and what not. So your application will probably use something different but close.

 

Yep...............lay out what you need in U-joints ( normally 2) one at the firewall and the other just before the steering gear......You will also need a collapsible Double D shaft that goes from the 1st U-joint at the firewall to the second one at the gear. If you have room at the gear a 13/16"x36 spline by a 3/4" double D U-joint can be used if no room a spud shaft can be used to extend it away for clearance............ on the firewall end use a 3/4"x36 spline to a 1" Double D U-joint............Flaming river , Borgeson are the sources.......Summit & Jegs also carry those lines.....................look at the drawings on either site , it's just a matter of putting the correct components together to match what you have.

 

Very helpful. I am starting to mount the box and column and a collapsible shaft sounds good as I will not have to worry about shortening or lengthening the shaft I have. The steering column only is secured at the dash, is this enough? Thinking of another clamp at the floor or somewhere.

 

When you go to mount that steering gear...........keep in mind there are several things that need to be addressed like: The proper relationship of the Pittman arm fore & aft / steering gear mount to the drag link and it's angle to the spindle. At the same time the orientation of the steering gear angle wise to the steering shafts going forward to the firewall should also be angled properly to lessen any large angle differences.........build a temporary bracket so that it is easy to move around and clamp in different positions. Once all of the compromises are made then build a permanent mount and weld it to the chassis.

And yes a floor or firewall bracket is needed for the column.

As Piffey mentioned look in the forums here for many different approaches to what you are doing.

 

Have most of the parts now but am looking for the double groove crank pulley to drive the P/S pump. I see some on ebay that look right from Buick 350s and 400s. Would they work?

 

Allot of the 350 parts were interchangeable with the 225 / 231 motors...........but I don't think that is 100% . Best if you have a wrecking yard nearby to go looking for some early Buicks especially the 231's and even the 350's pull it off and match it up with what you got.

 

Another question before I order the steering shaft parts, on the telescoping shaft does it matter which end goes where and on my steering box I count 32 splines and a flat spot where 4 more should be, does this make it a 36 spline? Also my 3A has a 2.5 lift should my pitman arm be straight or should I get one that drops down? Thanks again!

 

Normally on the Double D telescoping shaft the outer ( larger 1" section) goes closer to the firewall U-joint..........and your probably right about assuming that it is a 36 spline input shaft...........but you need to measure the OD and then cross reference that with the manufacture your buying it from...........the HD Series 800 Saginaw gear with a large 67 cast into the case on the bottom front will have a 13/16" or about .813 input shaft............but you really need to confirm that yourself...............
The closer to level the Drag Link is to the Tie Rod the better it is for any Bump Steer...........sometimes with the lack of availability of differently configured both fore and aft and up and down Dropped Pittman Arms you can really do more harm than good trying to get it perfect............so a little angle is no big deal..............But a picture would help!

 

Hit a snag. After getting a telescoping DD shaft and U joints it appears the angle at the column/shaft is to steep for the small u joint I used, it binds when it is rotated. The stock u joint is bigger and may try to adapt that to the shaft or would a double u joint set up work? Try to get up photos latter.

 

You either need to get a different u-joint that has a higher degree of working angle.........or re-position your column or a combination of both. Send a few pictures.

 

I made mine out of different parts from different vehicles. column from a 90's cherokee, d shaft from some random chevy and 30 year old new universal joints I found in my Father In Lws basement. The deal is that you may need to do some fabricating. Spud shaft and a universal to replace the rag joint is a start.

I looked at all the pics on this site and others before i did anything. You can buy kits too if you pockets are deeper than mine. Might look better too.

 

Here is a link to photos: http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wb3eim/library/?sort=3&page=1 I would like to stay with the stock looking column to keep the original look. Is there a way to shorten the column if need be?