3 Questions - Steering Column, Steering Gear, & K- Member

[marianamaya]

1. How can I confirm that the K-Member that I have is correct for a V8? (Car had no engine when I got it)

2. How can I confirm if my steering gear is power or not? Part Number?

3. If my steering gear is manual, and I want to take the car to power steering, will I need a new Steering Column along with the Power Steering Gear?

Thanks,

Pete

 

[RustyRatRod]

Pete, is it possible you can confirm what the heck you're workin on, or do we just guess? I see what appears to be a Dart in your avatar. It would help if you could tell us for sure. Make? Model? Pics of the k frame in question would help.

 

[67Dart273]

To figure out the K member go here:

http://www.engine-swaps.com/

the tech page:

http://www.engine-swaps.com/Pages/TechInfo.html#head3

The possibilities you have: (from your avatar I'm assuming not an early A body)

67, either /6 vs V8 of course has different mounts, both 6 and 8 are "biscuit" or "pillow" mounts, and the idler arm only has one bracket, that is a one year idler arm

68--72 same as above except has upper and lower idler arm brackets, that is better design idler arm

73/ later has "spool" engine mounts, a huge improvement

====================================

Steering box is easy: Does it have hose fittings? Is it cast iron? If yes it's power

No hose fittings and aluminum box means manual

======================================

There is (and parts could be switched year to year) a "large spline" and "small spline" steering boxes.

NOTE!!!

The center link / idler arm / pitman arm / box all have to "match" Go here:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=236925

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1970108152

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=248979

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1969800222

and there's some very good reference material here

http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/techindex.shtml

 

[2 Darts]

1. How can I confirm that the K-Member that I have is correct for a V8? (Car had no engine when I got it)

You can check the VIN to see what the car had originally. This is not to say that some enterprising builder didn't swap it out. '67-'76 K-members will cross-fit (with some conditions). Schumacher Creative Services makes conversion kits to make a moot point of this, unless going from V-8 to /6. In general if the mounts look symmetrical, it's a V-8 mount, if the driver's side is offset or jacked up it's probably a /6. A photo would help.

2. How can I confirm if my steering gear is power or not? Part Number?

Look at the box. If no hydraulic fittings on it, it's manual. The PS box has a screw-in fitting for the high pressure side and a nipple for the return side.

3. If my steering gear is manual, and I want to take the car to power steering, will I need a new Steering Column along with the Power Steering Gear?

Right. The PS column is shorter. If you get steering gear from a 73 or later A, you'll need to get the idler, pittman arm, and cross arm. FWIW, I put a cop car box from a Dippy in the Demon. I also needed to put a cross arm, and idler from a '75 (73 & > ) A-body.

Another "gotcha" is headers. Some headers won't fit cars with a PS. RTFP when buying.

 

[marianamaya]

Sorry, 1972 Dart Swinger