Manual steering box

[BB73Challenger]

OK - I read the post on the change from manual to power and how it is more difficult than the other way around.

With that said I have power steering. I'm thinking of switching to manual.

1 - is there a reason why I shouldn't? Currently the pump howls and leaks like a sieve, so it's making a rather large mess everywhere.
2 - my new shop is coincidently 10 minutes from Flaming River and they have both the manual box and a convertor for the shaft length. Has any one had any experience with them or have any recomodations on another brand?

Thanks in advance for any input!!

[Autophile]

I am using the Flaming River manual steering box, and I am very happy with it. It is soooo much better than the worn out factory unit I used to have.

Note, my car was manual steering before I bought the Flaming River box.

[Chryco Psycho]

I would do the switch , Flaming river has good stuff

[Blackcuda]

This is a good question, my 70 Cuda power steering box is worn and howels. So it would be better to replace it with a new manual box? Does the Flamming River manual box have a quicker turning radious?

[Grancoupe]

I would have kept the power steering if I had knnown better. If you run anything thicker than a 3 inch wide drag tire in the front, you'll practically lift yourself out of your seat trying to turn the steering wheel. I don't like driving the car as much as I did when it had power steering. Its alot nicer being able to drive the car with one hand on the wheel and the other on the shifter. Up to you guys but streetability counts when the thing is on the street.

[Autophile]

Does the Flamming River manual box have a quicker turning radious?

I don't know if the Flaming River box has a quicker ratio than the factory power set-up, but it is quicker than the factory manual set-up. The Flaming River box has a 16:1 ratio. I think the factory manual box was 20:1, or maybe 24:1.

[BB73Challenger]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I've been banging my head against the wall with this power set-up. Plus I figure freeing up an accesory means more HP right 

[speedfreak440]

It will suprise you just how much weight you take off of the front, and I never liked how "twitchy" the power steering was at high speeds (when I had power steering I eventually removed the pump and just plugged up the lines on the gearbox itself) that helped tremendously with high speed stability. But mostly it just depends on weight/balance of the car and your upper body strength.

[Chryco Psycho]

 
 ther high speed stability is far better without power steering , havin gthe wheels aligned properly makes a big difference as well , put as much +castor as the front end will allow , & 1/2-1* - camber for cornering 

[chevyconvert]

so is the flaming river 16:1 a lot harder to turn than the old 20+:1 stock unit? How about the free play in comparison? response?

[Autophile]

so is the flaming river 16:1 a lot harder to turn than the old 20+:1 stock unit? How about the free play in comparison? response?

Harder? Yes, but not by a lot. Regarding freeplay - my freeplay went from 10 inches of radial slop to less than 2 inches. The steering is noticeably more responsive now.