Steering Gear... Final Chapter...................................?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

This will probly be one of my rambling posts, 1000 pardons. But already a few questions. Battery tray and bracket already removed, still havent figured out how I'm painting them. ANYWAY, tonite I figured pull the P/S pump.. cause its actually warm here!! Pulled the pump, which I believe to be the one from the 383 that was in here originally. I'm going to replace the pump because it sqweaked from day one!
1. Should I stay with this style pump? - I plan on going with the firmest steering gear possible.
2. Which of the 3 bolts is the correct bolt for the bracket? - (The one's that hold the braket to the face of the pump) I always seem to get the mix an' match leftovers
and as always THANKS!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

All the steering posts I've seen, dosent anyone know the proper bolts to use??  Maybe I'm just being to picky, but I'm in it this far.... 

Tonite the pin gets banged out of the steering shaft... hope it goes EZ!!!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Well. I got the pin out! Amazingly easy... with the right punch... that I had to go back to the shop to get.  Ran out of time to drop the colum. Man things are looking tight in there!!!
 http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv82/BIGSHCLUNK/Steering%20Gear/?action=view&current=SteeringGear2003.jpg
http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv82/BIGSHCLUNK/Steering%20Gear/?action=view&current=SteeringGear2002.jpg

[BIGSHCLUNK]

More questions have come to mind. I sure would appriciate some imput... Wether you dealt with firm feel or steerngear.. Did you buy a unit and then send in your core (seems it woulkd be a time saver??) Are they buying cores outright?? I doubt if  they would pay outright what the core charge is BUT it could be good for saving a few $$$.. 

Also.... was talking to a buddy last nite about rusty bolts. I mentioned I got the EASTWOOD blacking kit. He told me he used it and his bolts were rusty again in about a years time. I'm not trying to dog a sponser here thats for sure! BUt has anyone else had this result??

[4 speed fish]

Send firm feel your core and they will rebuilt that one.Make sure you take off the fittings.I would use the same pump.You can buy a rebuild kit for it.

[70_challenger]

Not sure about the correct bolts - Sorry.  I talked to a few people at the Mopar Nats who had used Eastwood's blackening kit, and they mentioned that the coating was pretty durable.

As far as the steering gear...I just got mine back from Steer & Gear.  I sent them my core, and they rebuilt it in less than a week.  I mistakenly thought mine was a 1970 unit, since it came off my 1970 car (stupid me!).  And the 1970 cores (smaller output shaft) are harder to find, which is why I asked them to rebuild my unit.  So they just never added the core charge to my bill. 
I don't know if they buy cores outright - You might want to call Tom down there to discuss.

As mentioned above, take off the fittings before you send the steering box.  The return line fitting is aluminum, and it breaks very easily (Don't ask me how I know!) 

-Tom

[dodj]

More questions have come to mind. I sure would appriciate some imput... Wether you dealt with firm feel or steerngear.. Did you buy a unit and then send in your core (seems it woulkd be a time saver??) Are they buying cores outright?? I doubt if  they would pay outright what the core charge is BUT it could be good for saving a few $$$.. 

FWIW, when I picked up my steering unit, it came with prepaid return postage for the core.

[FJ5_440]

I got my steering box from FirmFeel, and since I wanted the larger sector shaft of the 73 and up box, I neded to send a different core. The guys at Firmfeel gave me the number for Wildcat auto wrecking which is just down the road from Firmfeel.  Those guys sold me a nice box to use as a core and sent it directly to FF for just over $100.  Then a couple weeks later, I got my Stage 3 steering box.  It is still sitting on my workbench waiting for the car to come out of storage, but now there will be no downtime from turnaround.

As far as the blackening kit is concerned, I have used it for years on my NCRS type Corvette restoration work.  I don't use their oil based sealant after, instead I use their clear sealant which holds up much better than the oil based sealer that I got with the kit.  I still have to admit that it is still not terribly durable, and when I do work for a driver car that will go through puddles, I use a "fake Phosphate" paint on the blackened and sealed part.

[500Stroker]

I bought a level 3 from Firm Feel and was charged the core charge.  After the new one arrived and was installed I send the old one back.  Two weeks later I received in the mail a check for the core charge.  The downside is shipping that sucker back cost me 40 more bucks. 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I finally made it back out to the garage for a little while tonite. Bout time!! Ok , so I ordered a new P/S pump from ROCK Auto. Thought I would check it out tonite. The pump they sent is one w the GM style res. This is even tho the pic online shows my style. (this one is the delco/reman 716122). I ordered this one cause the pic showed like the one I have (my res is dented from a previous owner otherwise I'd just switch the pump). So anyway I figure the saginaw style will fit -good and done- WRONG! Looks like somedropped it and the bottom was all curled under. Although NIKKI's NOT a show car... I figure if I'm gonna do it DO IT RIGHT... So I call ROCK tonite, Ralph (guy on the phone/good guy) said all the delco's are cardone so the chances of getting the other res will not happen. My point.... just order the cardone,,,CHEAPER!! Maybe the next one wont be damaged.

So I move onto dropping the colum.. man I got overspray on the bottom of the colum. I 'm guessing this should be just natural metal looking?? Or should this be painted black?? This is the part that sticks thru the firewall. Kinda looks like soe steel woll should take care of it. Suggestions???
THANKS
 

[dodj]

So I move onto dropping the colum.. man I got overspray on the bottom of the colum. I 'm guessing this should be just natural metal looking?? Or should this be painted black?? This is the part that sticks thru the firewall. Kinda looks like soe steel woll should take care of it. Suggestions???
THANKS
 

Mine is semi-gloss black, but I painted it that way. I can't remember if it was originally but I think so. I like using scotch-brite pads instead of steel wool.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Ya, I've had mixed imput on this question from guys around here. One buddy of mine even said they should have been painted but alot of them got missed.  But like to get it taken care of seeing the colum's gotta come down anyway. 

[dodj]

Come to think of it, I have a spare in the garage and it is black top to bottom. It came out of a '71 Barracuda.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

OK , got the column out tonite!!    Definetly have to clean up the bottom. Where do you get the bottom gasket??


Also, take a look at the coupler...  shouldn't that little hole be inside the coupler some place???     Didn't someone here just replace one of these? Who had the best deal?


I also got the ex-man bolts loose... one was missing.... 

Feedback welcome!! 

[Chryco Psycho]

the hoile in the steering shaft is just a marker so you know to put the samll roll pin in line with that hole otherwise the steering wheel would be upside down with the coupler installed 180* off
 Mopar has the coupler rebuild kit for about $13
 I have a  spare gasket if you need it