Steering linkage woes!

[macdiesel]

I have a '67 Belvedere 440/4speed (originally a 318/904 car). I recently swapped the oil pan for a Milodon 31580 road race pan. Now the center link binds on the pan. I swapped the motor mounts for solid Moroso ones to see if that would help. It didn't... After an extensive search for other options besides modding my oil pan, I found Firm Feel's Fast Ratio pitman and idler arms. They're 1 1/2" longer than stock and will still clear my headers, so I thought I'd give them a shot.

So I got my pitman and idler arms today. They sent me an Idler arm for the '68 and up cars. (pictured center) Of course they mount to the k-member differently. Mine uses a ball joint style mount. (pictured right)

I'm really not sure what I'm going to do. I'll call Dick at Firm Feel tomorrow and see what he says. Does anyone know if I can have the ball joint mount of the old one fitted to the new one? It looks close to the same size. I know one solution is to swap the k-member for a 70-72 one. I don't have the time or money for that right know.

The old pitman arm isn't pictured because its still on the car. I forgot I needed to buy a pitman arm puller.

The first pic is with wheels straight. Next is wheels left. Then wheels right. Then the two new steering arms with the old idler arm.

 

[prhousejr]

just go straight.:rolling:

 

[69 Runner]

Before you call them make sure the pitman they sent will fit on your sector shaft. Later cars had a larger diameter sector shaft.

 

[macdiesel]

They did send me the large one and I have the small sector shaft.

 

[69 Runner]

Kinda figured

 

[macdiesel]

I called them and they said they replace it. For now though I'm putting the old pan back on until I can get everything straightened out. Since I want to switch to a 70-72 k-member anyway, I might as well wait. I want to switch to the newer k-member for the newer style narrow sway bar and through bolt style idler arm. I initially swapped the pan because I have a HV oil pump and the pan looked like someone used it for a jacking pad. The old one worked but I couldn't really drive it hard. The pump empties the pan too quick. I'll beat it flat before I put it back in.