From: Bob <64ragtop
Subject: Speaking of power steering...
Sent: 12 Jan '14 06:32
I decided to convert my '64 dart to power steering and to use the new
Borgeson modified G.M. steering gear. Near as I can tell, the
modifications are welding a plate that allows the gearbox to mount where
the Mopar steering box goes. Well, it's been a real fun 9 months! I
will state first that this has not been a real high priority project,
and sometimes real life gets in the way of my projects. With that out
of the way, the story continues.
The first thing I had to do was buy a special coupler to replace the
stock one to match the new steering gear box to the steering shaft, Then
the shaft had to be shortened 4" and drilled for roll pins to secure the
coupler. The next challenge was to find and acquire a suitable P/S pump
and bracket for my /6. That took a couple of months and I wound up with
three pumps and two different style brackets, one of which I think is
for a V8. That involved four internet sellers and the U.S.P.S. (which
is another horror story for another time (or not)!
Then it was time to connect the pump to the steering gear. I called the
seller who I bought the new steering box from and he quoted me a price
that I thought too high. So, I called Borgeson and got a kit consisting
of two hoses and one adapter to match the Mopar pump to the new pressure
hose. More time passed and more stuff happened, but I finally got ready
to install the hoses. Well, the low pressure hose was a foot too long.
No problem for Mr. Sawzall! The pressure hose was the correct length,
but the fitting for the gearbox is clocked wrong - 150 degrees or so -
and that hose will NOT twist. Another call to Borgeson and NOW it turns
out that the fitting I need is METRIC! Thinking about it, perhaps that
shouldn't have been a surprise and really, the clocking of that fitting
is more of a problem.
BC
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