Question: Electric power steering conversion on a C2???

[hogbrains]

Has anyone been involved in an electric power steering conversion on a C2???

 

[hogbrains]

More info

Has anyone been involved in an electric power steering conversion on a C2???

I currently have manual steering with wider than stock, sticky tires. The older I get, the harder it is to drive. The original PS system is crap. I bought a hydraulic 605 unit which I've heard great things about. I planned to replace the manual box with the 605 and get an electric hydraulic pump until I talked to a friend that hooked up electric PS to his Camaro, I drove it and it was great. There are late model self contained units on eBay from GM for the MALIBU, etc. and also from Flaming River and I'm wondering if anyone has tried this?

 

[Hib Halverson]

I'm gonna bet that most of these electric P.S. conversions aren't going to work well on a car with the front end weight of a 65 Vette or the load imparted to the steering by sticky tires and wide wheels.

I'd stick with your original idea of installing the Saginaw 605 box, however, even that won't work unless you've got one of the special aftermarket boxes which uses a steering gear case with the long pitman shaft typical of a 63-82 Vette. The normal Saginaw recirc. ball, integral power steering box can't be used because its pitman shaft is too short.

Also, why the electric pump? Why not use use an OE type engine driven pump?

 

[hogbrains]

I have a kit that lets me use the old vette steering box shaft with the new 605 box. I've cut the extension off the old vette box, cut the new 605 box also and welded the old extension to the 605 box. The kit allows me to use the old long shaft with the new welded box. I now have a power steering box with the proper attachment and proper length.

I didn't want to use pulley pump for esthetics, just hide the electric pump and hoses. Do I seem too anal?

 

[Hib Halverson]

Nope.
Now that I understand why you don't want the engine-driven pump, an electric sounds like the best way to go.

Jusst curious, when you welded the cast iron steering box case, how'd you weld it and how did you jig it so the bearing bores would end up concentric after the box cooled?

 

[Tyler Townsley]

You can get the box here and use a Toyota MR2 electric power steering pump, just make sure you cut the voltage to 9 volt.
http://www.corvettesteering.com/corvette%20parts.htm
Tyler

 

[hogbrains]

How I modified the 605

Nope.
Now that I understand why you don't want the engine-driven pump, an electric sounds like the best way to go.

Jusst curious, when you welded the cast iron steering box case, how'd you weld it and how did you jig it so the bearing bores would end up concentric after the box cooled?

I removed the 605 shaft and cut off the casting, inserted the old long shaft and measured, then cut of the casting from the old vette casting and put it over the long shaft on the 605 casting. I took the new assembly to a machinist who welds castings and he finished it. had to trim teh two outer teeth from the shaft and it worked on the bench. Haven't used it on the road. I will report when I figure out the pump.