There is a procedure in the shop manual that walks you through adjusting the steering box. It is possible it is not completely worn out and can be tightened up. It does not appear to be difficult. I need to do it to my 54 3100 but will probably wait until spring. Mine tracks down the road okay but there is one hill I come down that twist and winds. It is one of those roads that have a steep drop off on one side and the road is always slipping with some nasty breaks in the pavement. If I am not careful coming down this hill at about 45 MPH and I hit one of those breaks in the road the wrong way it gets pretty squirrely real fast. Scared the life out of me the first time it happened.
To the original question. 100% stock 54 with a 235 3 speed. I have taken it on a 50 mile one way run and maintained between 50 and 55 the entire trip with no trouble. 60 plus for short runs. Same concern that others have expressed. The engine sounds like it is ready to blast off at 60 plus.
Last edited by dgrinnan; 02/06/2018 12:52 PM.
