• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

Power steering conversion

Kap142

Kap142

New member
:shrug01:I am considering converting my manual steering BB 72 to power steering. I want to retain the original (Chevy) looks and parts as opposed to going with a Steeroids set up. Paragon offers a complete set up as one would have had installed in 1972 to include all nuts, bolts, brackets, pumps ET. AL.

My question is has anyone on the forum done this install on a BB C3 from maybe 68-74? If so how much of a pain in the arse is it going to be and will I need to have a party with Joe and Rob to help me get it done? :thumbsup:

Ken:dancer01:
 
The mainline vette suppliers all sell "factory" parts kits to do the job. Order one, break out your shop manual and it go smmothly. There's reall not much to C-3 power steering.
 
Done it before. Not bad at all. Factory assembly manual is your best friend. Service manual is o.k. but nowhere near as good. Buy the best control valve and assist cylinder that you can buy. These originals leak badly. When your conversion is done, and the first time that you start the car PLEASE do not put your arm through the steering wheel spokes to turn the key!!! Had a guy come into the shop once who hooked up the control valve wrong and when he started it the steering wheel turned by itself with tremendous force and broke his arm. Once everything is tested, and working properly, you can go back to reaching through the spokes.
 
OK that's good news

Your words increase my confidence. I added Ford P/S to a 53 Effie I built and personally ran into the "hoses hooked up backwards" dilemma myself. I remember it well, could have been ugly but wasn't. I was lucky.

Another Q if I might. I have no lift. Will my jack stands give me adequate clearance under the Vette to work?

It is my understanding is that it's a total bolt on. Is that correct with the install you did also?

Thanks so much for the help. I'll let you know how it goes.

Ken:thumbsup:
 
Total bolt on?.. on the several that I did, yes. Clearance with jackstands? that is a funny question. For me, yes. The Corvette shop that I worked at years ago had no lift and we had no choice. I vowed never to be without a lift when I started my shop. But everything depends upon how flexible you are and how comfortable you are on your back. A couple of peices are really weird on the install, so be patient and all will go well.
 
Thanks brother. As long as I have you responding two (kinda) final questions have popped up. Where do you find a true quality pump and ar any special tools required that I don't have in my tool boxes?

Thanks,

Ken
 
Buddy,It's not that hard,I have done 3 in the last 15 years,all off them on bb.

The ? if you will fit under the vette,that depends what you had for breakfast:lmao:But if you do, get 3 ton jack stands if you don't have them already,there taller,piece of cardboard and a good creeper and a florescent light,they don't get that hot,,o ya,a piece of wood to put your stands on,so they don't dig into your slab.I never need any special tools,but then again I have almost every tool made,I've got tools I have never used or don't know how to use:lmao:Should take about 4-5 hours.Also another trick is after all the lines are hooked up and before you install the belt and start the engine, add the power sterring fluid and then spin,by hand your power sterring pump to allow the fluid to make it's way through the system,then hook your belt,double check all connections then start her up,keep your eye's on the fluid until it's full,allow time for all the air to get out of the system.When your done you will be all smiles:)Good luck with the project,take photos before and after.If you need my help,you got my #.:thumbsup:O ya,might be tight place between the power sterring pump and your headers:shrug01:
 
"Backyard Mechanic" said:
Buddy,It's not that hard,I have done 3 in the last 15 years,all off them on bb.

The ? if you will fit under the vette,that depends what you had for breakfast:lmao:But if you do, get 3 ton jack stands if you don't have them already,there taller,piece of cardboard and a good creeper and a florescent light,they don't get that hot,,o ya,a piece of wood to put your stands on,so they don't dig into your slab.I never need any special tools,but then again I have almost every tool made,I've got tools I have never used or don't know how to use:lmao:Should take about 4-5 hours.Also another trick is after all the lines are hooked up and before you install the belt and start the engine, add the power sterring fluid and then spin,by hand your power sterring pump to allow the fluid to make it's way through the system,then hook your belt,double check all connections then start her up,keep your eye's on the fluid until it's full,allow time for all the air to get out of the system.When your done you will be all smiles:)Good luck with the project,take photos before and after.If you need my help,you got my #.:thumbsup:O ya,might be tight place between the power sterring pump and your headers:shrug01:
Click to expand...

Very cool, exactly the information I needed. Paragon says the whole system is already in transit so I'll try to prep the swap with a removal of the manual steering on Wednesady (new system to be in on Thursday).

Will go get a set of RV jack stands on Wed too. Outta be a fun project with bootay kickin results.

I'll call ya if I get in over my head. Thanks

Ken
 
Anti Venom said:
Done it before. Not bad at all. Factory assembly manual is your best friend. Service manual is o.k. but nowhere near as good. Buy the best control valve and assist cylinder that you can buy. These originals leak badly. When your conversion is done, and the first time that you start the car PLEASE do not put your arm through the steering wheel spokes to turn the key!!! Had a guy come into the shop once who hooked up the control valve wrong and when he started it the steering wheel turned by itself with tremendous force and broke his arm. Once everything is tested, and working properly, you can go back to reaching through the spokes.
Click to expand...

OK update #1 On Friday I began installation of the P/S. Interesting was that NO INSTRUCTIONS came with the set up. Thank gawd for the assembly manual. Got the alt bracket and P/S brackets installed before leaving for a trip to Tallahassee for an FSU game on Saturday (gotta do a little partying)

Will get back to it with 98 softtail's help and finish up on Monday. Not a bad install so far.:thumbsup: and you're right Rob blood and oil equal horsepower:ack2:
 
:cool::cool:
"Backyard Mechanic" said:
Well,we are all waiting to see if you have power steering yet:shrug01::dancer01:
Click to expand...


Yeah!:):D:)....... Now dat's what I'm talkin about.:thumbsup: SUCCESS. After my 4th:rofl1: (yes 4th) trip to NAPA narrowing the belt size folly we have reached SUCCESS:cool:. Pump has been properly rotated and checked for full (repeatedly) every nut bolt and part triple checked for alignment and tightness and , by God I have farkin POWER STEERING! Now I can be cool :cool:like you guys with the C4's, C5's and C6's:cool:


Another great day in "Goldie" land:lmao::hurray::hurray::hurray::vette::vette::vette:
 
Kap142 said:
:cool::cool:


Yeah!:):D:)....... Now dat's what I'm talkin about.:thumbsup: SUCCESS. After my 4th:rofl1: (yes 4th) trip to NAPA narrowing the belt size folly we have reached SUCCESS:cool:. Pump has been properly rotated and checked for full (repeatedly) every nut bolt and part triple checked for alignment and tightness and , by God I have farkin POWER STEERING! Now I can be cool :cool:like you guys with the C4's, C5's and C6's:cool:


Another great day in "Goldie" land:lmao::hurray::hurray::hurray::vette::vette::vette:
Click to expand...



YOU ARE THE MAN:pics::champagne::yourock:
 
Kap142 said:
:cool::cool:


Yeah!:):D:)....... Now dat's what I'm talkin about.:thumbsup: SUCCESS. After my 4th:rofl1: (yes 4th) trip to NAPA narrowing the belt size folly we have reached SUCCESS:cool:. Pump has been properly rotated and checked for full (repeatedly) every nut bolt and part triple checked for alignment and tightness and , by God I have farkin POWER STEERING! Now I can be cool :cool:like you guys with the C4's, C5's and C6's:cool:


Another great day in "Goldie" land:lmao::hurray::hurray::hurray::vette::vette::vette:
Click to expand...

Ken, Glad you "Got ER Dun" !
 
Kap142 said:
It did get tiring and parallel parking was out of the question.:dancer01:
Click to expand...
Come ON Ken...........tell it like it is! It wasn't the parallel parking issue..............you just wanted to be able to drive with one hand so you could have the other one around Carrie! As an ADDED bennie, you will now be officially required to render the WAVE when passing another Vette because you'll have one hand free! Now for the 64 dollar question...................how long before you get all the oil and grease off of your hands and arms? Oh yea, speaking of Carrie, does this mean that she will get some left seat time in Goldie? Seriously, I'm glad it went smoothly for you, and hope that you really enjoy driving Goldie more now. I had a 69 SS Chevelle with manual steering, and it WAS a bear to drive!
Andy Anderson
 
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