Talked to Chris in MO and Lee mfg in CA this morning about a ps rebuilt, ratio change and T-bar change.
Chis uses all your original parts and puts in a new worm gear and piston. Does not recommend T-bar change. He feels the change to the quicker ratio will increase the effort. $340
Lee mfg uses all your original parts and puts in a new worm gear and piston. But he also changes to a larger T-bar, one they have bench test at 30" lb. $440. Original T-bar is listed at 17-21.
I know you guys have sent your gear boxes to Chip in MO. So, how much if any increase in effort did you experience.
Jim Shea, thinks changing to a quicker ratio with no corresponding change in effort would not be a good idea.
I dont have power steering so I just had my steering box rebuilt back to stock with no modifications. When the day comes time to start doing the suspension upgrades I am planning to do, ill likely go to something like an AGR box or a Jeep unit. Seeing as im not planning on staying original.
Since your using stock suspension with stock sized wheels and tires. I would go with the 340 dollar upgrade. However, with tires that small, that cuts down on a bit of steering effort since the contact patch on the road is much lower. With a car thats mostly stock and small tires, I agree with not needing to replace the stock T bar as well. If you had larger 7 or 8 inch wide tires, then maybe.
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Chris - Ramsey, MN.
Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist.
While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water. I drank it!
I do not remember who I used? I sent out my box and they put in 12-1 ratio 3 turn stuff into the factory 4 turn variable El Camino box. I always liked the box and it was nice and quick, with the 1.25 solid sway bar and F41 springs I added also.
I do not remember who I used? I sent out my box and they put in 12-1 ratio 3 turn stuff into the factory 4 turn variable El Camino box. I always liked the box and it was nice and quick, with the 1.25 solid sway bar and F41 springs I added also.
Thanks for the information Brad. Sounds like you may have used Chip in MO to do the ratio change and restoration. As he does not change the T-bar (Torsion bar) to increase the effort.
Brad, if it helps. Im pretty sure you used Chip in MO. Because I remember you and I talking at some of the early meetings about that when you were working on the 70. Your the only other person I know (in person that is) that also sent your steering box to Chip to rebuild.
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Chris - Ramsey, MN.
Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist.
While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water. I drank it!