Manual steering to power steering conversion - 1973 Challenger

[slsc98]

Greetings all,

Before posting the below, I tried to do the 'polite' thing, searched first and located a 2011 post re: another member asking this same question about his '71 (brother, I hope things worked out well!) I started to 'reply'; and due to the lapse in time, the forum automatically asked me to consider starting a new post.

Just joined the board this morning and this'll be my first post so, here goes . . .

I am looking at a restored and modified 1973 Challenger, largely in order to fulfill a burning and un-answered dream and desire from my teen years.

The car now has a 440 Magnum and power brakes in it but, no power steering which, for medical reasons, is gonna be necessary.

The seller and I have reached a price through negotiation and my best friend is a fulltime, professional mechanic of 40+ years with much of his experience with (and his unabided preference for) Mopars.

I come to you on bended knee seeking advice on:

1) Whether or not converting the car from manual steering to power steering is "worth it" in most cases (I realize this is a subjective question but, bottom-line, if this car had power steering in it now, I would literally knock friends over to buy it from the seller!)

2) How much is involved? In other words, my mechanic friend has already advised me I'll need the obvious stuff such the pump, a new gear box, bracket, hoses, clamps, etc but, what else is there that I should know (or need to add to my shopping list) as I consider going forward?   Case in point, my bud also explained I need a new double pulley (and harmonic balancer?) to accomodate the pwr steering belt.

3) Where are the places I should be going (or staying away from [feel free to PM me if you don't want to ruffle any feathers in public])to get the parts I'll need?

Thanks for your patience but especially for any gudianbce based on actual *experience* in either doing or having the conversion done.

PS - In case any wonder why my mechanic doesn't either already "know" all these answers or isn't the one asking the questions, the guy is as busy as a . . ., well, he is extremely busy and I figure my part of the deal is to get as much research done and save his time for where it of the most value to all of us -- inside the car, if and when I decide to pull the trigger on the purchase.

Again, many thanks! (With any luck, I'll be posting pics of my own here, after 3 decades of dreaming about it). GOD BLESS AMERICA!

[ChallengerHK]

Welcome to the site. I can't answer all your questions, but I will throw out that Chrysler power steering from this period is widely considered some of the industry's worst, due to lack of feedback or "road feel." Instead of buying a stock PS box I would look at Firm Feel:

http://firmfeel.com/powerst_e.html

[MEK-Dangerfield]

If you are staying with the stock PS system, I know you will need to swap out the steering column shaft, or shorten yours.

Sorry I can add much else. I was lucky enough to buy a car with PS.

[brads70]

Welcome!

Depending on your budget I would as suggested get the firm feel power steering box . Stage 2 ? and also get there fast ratio arms. If you get a box from your local parts guy it most likely will be a stock box with new seals in it and you will have no idea how much slop/worn out it really is. Firm feel specializes in Mopar boxes and are very good at it! Buy quality! over price.  If your not familiar with "back in the day" steering and brakes, handling.....well..... they suck! I highly recommend getting the fast ratio arms right off the bat.
 The pump you can get at any local parts supplier.
My car had power steering when I got it but it was HORRIBLE! I could turn 1/4 turn before much happened.

I then bought just the fast ratio arms from Firm Feel. It was a definite improvement! but still had the sloppy steering, just quicker. This summer I installed the stage 3 firm feel power box and now it steers/feels like a modern car. Instant response!
I should mention that I had replaced all the front end parts previously and I suggest you do the same if there is any question as to there wear. Same with all the suspension bushings, strut rod, upper and lower controls arms, rear spring bushings. Good shocks too!
As for pulley's and brackets buy it as a kit here... http://bouchillonperformance.com/BPEPowerSteering.asp
http://bouchillonperformance.com/BPEpulleys.asp
Or here?
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/suspension---chassis.html

As mentioned you will need to shorten the column or get another one from a power steering version.
Be aware there are 2 sizes of power steering boxes small and large sector shaft. Your being a 73 will have or should have the large version , which is a good thing as parts are cheaper!( I used the big sector shaft version on mine)
Being a 73 and a big block I would also have a look at the torsion bars? As a 440 was not an option most likely the torsion bars need to be upgraded too from the small block or 6 cylinder stock bars. I'd recommend a minimum of 1" . Several suppliers have 1.03" on sale from time to time. Do your research as some bars have had "clocking" issues. I have 1.120" in mine and the ride is not harsh at all.
 I know this might be a bit overwhelming but no point in doing half a job as you won't be satisfied with the results.
Hope that helps?
Brad

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

Less to go wrong with a Manual Steering Unit.

Some prefer Manual Steering on the 1/4 mile, less sensitive, more foregiving than PS.

The added Cost of converting.

Might be easier for parallel parking with Power Steering.

If it ain't broke, why fix it.

If you need it, you can always look at another car.

[slsc98]

Thank you, ALL!

Man, I am so glad I took the time to post / ask here before wasting oo much time elsewhere.

First off, until y'all replied, I didn't even know "Firm Feel" even existed. Thanks for that guys!

Also, I guess I sold my mechanic short cuz,, when I talked to him later in the day (after posting my OP), he reminded me he'd just done a conversion on one of his employer's Challengers, less than a year ago (actually, what he did was undo some previosu hack job's half-*ssed attempt at the conversion).

And RT, I tend to agree with you (we bend over backwards to keep the wife's #'s matching '66 GTO in its original condition) but for the fact that, I have a shoulder that'll need surgery and its own rebuild sooner than later and, the wife simply isn't strong enough (we're gettin' on in years, no dancing around that, any longer!)

Long story short, y'all have "opened up" my options considerably and, considering the fact my mechanic hasn't even inspected the seller's car up on a lift yet, I just may move on from this car (she's purty) and resume my search for one wit ps and factory air (another criteria we would like, for cruisin' the hot, muggy, mosquito-ridden roads here in So. MD).

Crusin' over the Firm Feel links now.   Thanks, again!

[slsc98]

I know this might be a bit overwhelming but no point in doing half a job as you won't be satisfied with the results.Brad

No, no brother, thank YOU for your time (and I am sure earned experience) keep it comin'; I would rather be overwhelmed than regretful, eh?  ("Measure twice and spend, err, cut once," etc) 

[Jamiez]

The stock Saginaw pump used in a lot of these cars was shared across model lines and even other car companies.  GM for example used the same pumps, you might need to get a different pulley/bracket but the pump itself is pretty stock.  I believe they saw usage well into the 80s so finding one in a junkyard is a definite possibility.  They are rebuildable as well...although it's a messy job, the kit to do so is fairly affordable (< $50)

I am not sure of the availability of Federal pumps, but as you're adding an option it never had, I'm guessing 100% factory correct is not the goal.

[Grec]

The stock Saginaw pump used in a lot of these cars was shared across model lines and even other car companies.  GM for example used the same pumps, you might need to get a different pulley/bracket but the pump itself is pretty stock.  I believe they saw usage well into the 80s so finding one in a junkyard is a definite possibility.

My buddy has a 77 stepside truck with a (factory) 454. I swore that the PS pump looked identical to the one in our cars. I guess I was right. :-)