Pitman Arm Question

[moparmaniac59]

I recently pulled down the center link for removal of my oil pan (Big Block 440). I've done this twice in just a little over three months. I try to keep everything clean and matchmarked & re-grease after reassembly. For some reason, after I reinstalled the center link & went to torque up the nut on the pitman arm (I think it's about 60 ft/lbs but don't recall exactly right now) and then install the cotter pin, I noticed the whole thing started to turn after I got it tight, but before I got it torqued to specs. Is this proper?? Is the whole thing supposed to turn? If so is there some way to hold it so it doesn't turn so I can torque it to specs? Do I need to now replace the pitman arm? Curious! :clueless:Thanks for the help!!

                                                 Matt B.

[Supercuda]

This often happens on older parts that go together with a tapered, interference fit. A large pair of channel-lock pliers (tongue and groove, for the technical types) can be used to squeeze the parts together, giving some "bite" to the assembly until you can get the torque high enough to overcome the parts' desire to spin against each other. A shop towel between the jaws and the parts will cut down on ugly witness marks.