Thread: 31 Chev conversion to Power Steering questions

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I've got my 31 chev sedan running, few years now.. but its getting harder and harder to park it ! I've decided to put in power steering.. However, the chassis I started with had a steering box and motor mounts already done.. so I used them.. I'm not sure what my box is? if anyone can help.. I think its a Vega manual box... and it has 3 bolt mount pattern. I had the pitman arm made up to fit the box... steering works fine.. but its a bear to turn the wheels expecially when slow.. I'm running a 79 chev sb 305.
I'm thinking that a gm 605 would fit... but I'm concerned about the clearance at the top of the box... you can see by the pics that the engine mount is only about 1/4" away.. I'd like some advice? first,,, can anyone identify what box I'm running now? and also what power steering box would fit that would mount up the same.. and clear the mount. I have plenty of room on all other sides... any help would be appreciated... thanks joeg

They made two styles for the Vega / Monza of that era, one was a quick ratio, the other standard, if the one you have was the quick ratio, it would be normally harder to steer. Looking at the pics you might need to just clean and rebuild/adjust worm and sector, when done fill with STP honey and 30 weight oil, it will not leak out and make the parts slip more, if that doesn't work for you you might be able to use a GM 525 steering box in its place which is power and might bolt right up.

Thanks Rich... I'm not sure what I have... and I didn't even think to check what the ratio of the box is... I'll be checking that next... and also what the spline size and count is... that would be a further indication of what I have also.. thanks joeg

I do remember that when you pull it out and work the pitman arm back and forth and you feel a light click or bump so to speak in the center of its travel that the box is in good shape, that was from street rodder mag many years back..I used the same in a `33 chevy sedan

I don`t have any close ups of it at the steering box, and have sold the car a while back..