69 Camaro Power to Manual Steering

69camz28 · 11-21-2014, 11:56 PM

I have a 69 Camaro with a power steering box. I'm interested in converting this to a Manuel steering setup. Can anyone help me with what is needed and suggest vendors who have quality parts? Thanks in advance....Jeff

Greg Barsamian · 11-22-2014, 07:52 AM

Contact The "Lil" "Drummer Boy"

Jerry MacNeish
Jerry forgot more about Camaro's than most know!

http://z28camaro.com/wp/contact-info

Cdncarnut · 11-22-2014, 08:27 AM

I did this with a Z28, which I had 10 years ago.
All I needed was a Standard Steering box, of which I had a couple on the shelf and a Quick Ratio Pitman Arm, which I found on E-Bay.

Check out this page,
http://www.camaros.org/suspen.shtml#steer

Hope this helps.

chris ok · 11-22-2014, 07:37 PM

I have an additional question on the answer.
Do you need to find a correct corresponding idler arm to match the new pitman arm to keep center link level and centered?
Chris

Cdncarnut · 11-23-2014, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris ok

I have an additional question on the answer.
Do you need to find a correct corresponding idler arm to match the new pitman arm to keep center link level and centered?
Chris

It depends on what is in the car now.
If you are only changing from power to manual steering and are not changing from quick ratio to standard or vice versa, you do not need to change the idler arm.
That is why using the correct pitman arm is important.

Adger Smith · 11-23-2014, 09:42 AM

I had a 69 Z that I did the change on. I pulled everything from a 1967 6 cyl Camaro. I took from spindle to spindle. The drag link was smaller diameter and the complete assy weighed less. I would think twice about the quick steering on a drag car. I always use the slower steering rack & pinions in cars I build. Think about it: Quicker steering might cause a driver to over correct during a problem run. I've see more crashes where drivers over correct than crashes where they don't correct enough. Just my .02 for free!

69camz28 · 11-23-2014, 12:31 PM

Thanks, guys. I emailed with Jerry as suggested. That, along with what I read here, says get the manual box and the pitman arm....if anyone else has anything to add please feel free to add! Thanks again, Jeff

69camz28 · 11-23-2014, 05:09 PM

Also, how much weight difference between the power and manual setups?

1700camaro · 11-29-2014, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69camz28

Also, how much weight difference between the power and manual setups?

If you go to the Borgeson website it list the weight between the different steering boxes.

11-21-2014, 11:56 PM	#1
69camz28 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 148 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	69 Camaro Power to Manual Steering I have a 69 Camaro with a power steering box. I'm interested in converting this to a Manuel steering setup. Can anyone help me with what is needed and suggest vendors who have quality parts? Thanks in advance....Jeff

11-22-2014, 07:52 AM	#2
Greg Barsamian VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 1,383 Likes: 608 Liked 390 Times in 84 Posts	Re: 69 Camaro Power to Manual Steering Contact The "Lil" "Drummer Boy" Jerry MacNeish Jerry forgot more about Camaro's than most know! http://z28camaro.com/wp/contact-info

11-22-2014, 08:27 AM	#3
Cdncarnut Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 200 Likes: 307 Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Re: 69 Camaro Power to Manual Steering I did this with a Z28, which I had 10 years ago. All I needed was a Standard Steering box, of which I had a couple on the shelf and a Quick Ratio Pitman Arm, which I found on E-Bay. Check out this page, http://www.camaros.org/suspen.shtml#steer Hope this helps. __________________ Thomas NHRA 1959 E/SA

11-22-2014, 07:37 PM	#4
chris ok Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Long Island, New york Posts: 585 Likes: 121 Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Re: 69 Camaro Power to Manual Steering I have an additional question on the answer. Do you need to find a correct corresponding idler arm to match the new pitman arm to keep center link level and centered? Chris

11-23-2014, 09:42 AM	#6
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,348 Likes: 433 Liked 676 Times in 260 Posts	Re: 69 Camaro Power to Manual Steering I had a 69 Z that I did the change on. I pulled everything from a 1967 6 cyl Camaro. I took from spindle to spindle. The drag link was smaller diameter and the complete assy weighed less. I would think twice about the quick steering on a drag car. I always use the slower steering rack & pinions in cars I build. Think about it: Quicker steering might cause a driver to over correct during a problem run. I've see more crashes where drivers over correct than crashes where they don't correct enough. Just my .02 for free! __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS) Last edited by Adger Smith; 11-23-2014 at 09:43 AM. Reason: sp

11-23-2014, 12:31 PM	#7
69camz28 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 148 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 69 Camaro Power to Manual Steering Thanks, guys. I emailed with Jerry as suggested. That, along with what I read here, says get the manual box and the pitman arm....if anyone else has anything to add please feel free to add! Thanks again, Jeff

11-23-2014, 05:09 PM	#8
69camz28 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 148 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 69 Camaro Power to Manual Steering Also, how much weight difference between the power and manual setups?