The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 1960 power steering conversion,pitarm arm not fitting

I installed a power steering conversion kit from CPP and the pitman arm is not fitting. It is too long by probably 2". I bought some parts including the pitman arm from Rockauto. I ordered a Spicer pitman arm from them and I thought maybe it was packaged wrong. I think it's for a manual steering box,I know they're longer. I returned the one arm and explained the problem,but they were'nt much help.I ordered another Spicer pitman arm but a cheaper red label version and had the same problem. I ordered one from Brother's and I'm hoping it will fit correctly. I'm pretty sure I mounted the steering box mounting plates correctly. In hindsight I should have bought a complete kit and avoided all these little problems and it cost me more doing it this way. I was trying to save some money and actaully spent more this way. I was just curious if anyone else had a similar problem with the pitman arm not fitting.

Update. It was the correct pitman arm and I did get it to fit, it was kind of a pain though to install.
Joe

How 'bout some details? What'd you need to do to make it fit?

For the power steering box, are you using the original engine mounting cradle? If so, what box did you get to mount? Were there any interference problems with the front engine mount cradle? Did you mount the box as it was originally, or was it a later style that mounted to the head?

-Brad

Hi Brad,
I got the pitman arm to fit by pushing back on the drag link and I was able to get it to fit. The pitman arm just looked to long to me but I was wrong. I mounted the steering box using a conversion plate from CPP that uses 2 of the existing holes and you have to drill 2 more holes in the frame. I bought a rebuilt 1969 steering box and pump for a C10. I'm replacing the steering box because I think it has a bad control valve or at least that's what A1Cardone the rebuiler said was the problem. The steering wheel turns left and right on it's own when you turn the wheel while it's in park. I'm hoping a different steering box will correct this problem. In hindsight, I would buy a kit with all the parts you need, Brothers has one on sale for $599.00,I spent more than that buying the parts separately. There is a slight angle of the box and steering column but I think that's okay. The front bumper bracket has to be shaved a little on the corner for it to fit because of the new box. I'll post an update when I get the new box installed next week hopefully.
Joe

I installed the new steering box and it works as it should. They even sent a close ratio one which was a nice surprise. I ordered the box on Friday 5/2 and it was delivered on Saturday 5/3 which I didn't expect such fast delivery. The first rebuilt unit had a bad control valve I believe which was causing the steering wheel to turn by itself when turning it left or right while in park. The new one works great so far,I just hate doing a job twice, but alls well that ends well.
Joe