Quick ratio steering

[AZ409]

I'm using a stock maunal steering box on my 61 409, but I would like to convert to a box that would make the response a little quicker. I'm not interested in power steering or rack and pinion, perhaps something like the Vega box but strong enough for the street. Any thoughts? AZ409

[RCE1962]

AZ409

I'm not qualified to comment on the Vega steering box, but here is an earlier thread regarding steering boxes on these full size cars.

http://www.348-409.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4436&highlight=RCE1962

RCE1962

[JimKwiatkowski]

I did a google search on manual quick ratio steering gears,here's the link.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-26,GGLG:en&q=chevy+quick+ratio+manual+steering+gear

[SteveD409]

Verne Frantz says a Corvette worm gear will fit in your stock box and cut two full turns off lock to lock. I'm gonna try that instead of 605 on my next project. You have to cut the steering shaft a little and grind down a portion of one of the frame access hole lips.

SteveD

[AZ409]

Thanks for the info, any idea where I can find a vette steering shaft and do you know what years would work? Thanks AZ409

[JimKwiatkowski]

Here's a link to a Corvette worm gear

http://vansteel.com/Corvette_Parts/WormGear_Corvette_Parts_1392.cfm

[jim_ss409]

My 64 wasn't too hard to steer when it had skinny tires and a smallblock. But with the added weight of the 409 and wide radial tires it got a lot harder to turn, not terrible but there were times I really missed power steering. The quicker ratio would make it a little harder still.

[4onthefloor]

Just curious...there was only one box in 63 full size whether it was PS or manual correct ?

[DIV1RACER-2]

I am sure that the p/s box ratio is 18 - 1 & the manual box ratio is 22 - 1 . On my 62 i have a ps box & makes the steering considerably quicker but a little more effort s required. Use the p/s box as a cheap way to make the steering faster with a little more effort.

[4onthefloor]

Thanks Denny...hey have you ever heard of a A/S racer named Monte Howard ? Not sure what division....

[SteveD409]

I have checked the difference in lock to lock between the PS and standard boxes and the manual box is just a little over 6 turns and the PS box is just a little under six turns lock to lock. This is so little difference that one has to wonder why GM even bothered. I mean, there's like less than a half of a turn in the wheel between the two.

SteveD

[bobs409]

I thought I heard that it was 20:1 and 24:1 difference between the PS & manual box. ? :dunno


You could just add a "Cheech & Chong" type steering wheel. :D I used to have one that was about 6 or 7 inches in diameter! :eek: (had it in my old VW bug) :rofl

[mpris]

If you change to a quicker ratio steering on a manual steered car, will the steering not become even harder? I would think that with less ratio in the steering box it would make it harder to turn. Has anyone ever heard of an Idler Arm which has bearings and is called the "Poor man's power steering"? I bought one of these off of E-Bay a couple of years ago and have never installed it. I wonder if it would help the effort required to turn a manul steering car?

Poocho