1970 PS 6 cyl to PS 318 OEM or aftermarket steering?

[johneich]

I have read the stickies here and searched OEM steering and Borgeson here but have not found anything directly related to what I am doing.

On my 1970 Satellite, a power steering car, I am pulling the 6 cyl engine, trans. and K-frame and reinstalling a V-8 K-frame, 318, rebuilt 904 (and, Side note: power brake conversion).

Rebuilt OEM box and pump are $170.00 and the aftermarket is much more expensive and not a bolt off/on (like I think I have?), so some extra work/fabrication? I think.

I think the current pump was last run 35 years ago, so I would like to just pay the $170.00 just to not have it fail shortly after I get this running but I do not want to make a big mistake trying to save $1,000.00 ish.

So for a street cruiser, is the stock box and pump OK? or horrible?
I also have 2 out of the car V-8(if that matters) boxes and one V-8(again if matters) pump also out of the car from my parts collecting.

 

[4mulas]

They are fine for street cruising use. Lots use them. When buying replacement pumps and rebuilt boxes it’s hit and miss (mostly miss) as to what quality you’ll get.

 

[johneich]

I thought I would add pics cuz I hear you guys love pics!
1st is my 6 cyl in car
2nd box on K-frame out of car
3rd is box and pump

 

[ckessel]

Be wary of the rebuilt units. Most of the time they replace the minimum components then kick it out the door with a fresh coat of paint. Thats not a "rebuilt" part. What it is is a guarantee that you'll be replacing it again, maybe under warranty which does not cover labor if you sublet that out and not DIY. "Lifetime Warranty" doesn't mean squat if you are spending a lifetime replacing it. Kinda gets old after awhile. Buy from better companies and pay the price so you only do the job once. This goes for electrical parts, fuel system parts and others. In your case Firm Feel[ longtime Mopar people. Know their stuff about our cars.], BAC/Borgeson[ get it from BAC. Peter is a Mopar guy and knows his stuff], some people use Steer and Gear.

 

[johneich]

I like the Firm Feel idea as it looks to be a stock bolt out bolt in unit that is only $300.00 more than the Cardone rebuild I am looking at.

 

[ckessel]

Cardone= perpetual issues.

 

[SDCoronet]

Any Saginaw pump can be rebuilt using inexpensive rebuild kits. Save some money by doing that yourself. Search YouTube for some video's.

 

[johneich]

"Cardone= perpetual issues"

I was wondering, also I was turned off by a company called Car Done!

 

[PRND21]

Never had any problems with my Steer and Gear (Columbus Ohio) rebuilds. You’ll need different mounting brackets for your Saginaw pump, readily available new or used.

 

[johneich]

And the Steer and Gear box is only $240.00 more than the CarDone

 

[PRND21]

Steer and Gear sets up at some of the major shows where you can exchange parts to avoid shipping costs. You’d need to contact them for details.

 

[Cuddy]

The stock stuff is fine for what your doing, I agree with every one on here its hit or miss with rebuilt pump and gear boxes. I'm of the mind that the gear box is a big pain in the neck to change so a little more money spent on a quality unit is better. My brother has a stock unit with the firm feel upgrade and it is a nice improvement over stock. I have borgenson units going in my cars for clearance but I understand the extra cost is the problem with them.

 

[johneich]

Do I recall your Brother's is a 383 so more clearance with my 318?

The stock stuff is fine for what your doing, I agree with every one on here its hit or miss with rebuilt pump and gear boxes. I'm of the mind that the gear box is a big pain in the neck to change so a little more money spent on a quality unit is better. My brother has a stock unit with the firm feel upgrade and it is a nice improvement over stock. I have borgenson units going in my cars for clearance but I understand the extra cost is the problem with them.