66’ style PS box to 72’ style

[Syleng1]

Did not know how to phrase this.

basically I had firm feel rebuild my 1972’ steering box for use in my 66’ Early A car. I’m using a 72’ style power steering pump (Saginaw style with the 3/8” return line) on a 318. So with that said, with the original 273 rebuilt now I want to install it back in the car with the factory Thompson pump. Anyhow- can I just unbolt the top of the steering box (aluminum part with 2 bolts ) from the 66’ with the small pressure hose (#4jic) and 1/2” return line and swap it over to the 72’ box removing the 3/8 return and #6 pressure top?

Do I need to worry about anything doing this? I’ve yet to have the boxes side by side.
I’m trying to get the 66’ back to all 66’ but hate to have to wait another 12 weeks for the 66’ box to be rebuilt.
Thanks!
Syleng1

 

[Greasyfingers]

When I got my steering box from Steer and Gear I had to swap the 2 bolt return fitting (large hose) and the pressure fitting. I never touched the control valve just fittings. I really don't think it matters what year the box is.

 

[cudamark]

The steering gear boxes should swap over between the '72 and '66 no problem. In the '66, just use that year's pitman arm, and if you're going with the original '66 pump, swap over the aluminum return line fitting on the control valve. Careful with the O-rings. Hopefully, you have the correct '66 brackets and pulleys for that pump, as the '72 Saginaw stuff won't work with a Thompson/Federal/TRW type pump. What year is the 318 and all it's water pump, brackets, and pulleys? Oh, just remembered that the pressure line on a '66 273 uses a 90 degree fitting on the control valve to clear the exhaust manifold. That can be a little hard to find if it's missing, or, you didn't save it

 

[Syleng1]

The steering gear boxes should swap over between the '72 and '66 no problem. In the '66, just use that year's pitman arm, and if you're going with the original '66 pump, swap over the aluminum return line fitting on the control valve. Careful with the O-rings. Hopefully, you have the correct '66 brackets and pulleys for that pump, as the '72 Saginaw stuff won't work with a Thompson/Federal/TRW type pump. What year is the 318 and all it's water pump, brackets, and pulleys? Oh, just remembered that the pressure line on a '66 273 uses a 90 degree fitting on the control valve to clear the exhaust manifold. That can be a little hard to find if it's missing, or, you didn't save it

Thanks for that.

When the car was put together with the 318, I had a 1974 dart as a donor. It all got swapped over at once. The 273 came out for rebuilding and it was complete as well.
Over the last 40+years of my MoPar career rebuilding and saving these cars- the only part of a Chrysler from this era I have had no good results were steering gears. This is why Firm Feel rebuilt mine for me. I’ve tried to rebuild these boxes and they have gone wonkie on me and so I’ve (excuse the pun) “steered clear” of steering boxes. Other than pitman arm changes or top joints. So swapping the top with the directional screw underneath (not sure of the actual name) in other instances- it has moved on me from just changing gaskets and caused the car to drift left or right.
Thanks for the confidence. Possibly two weeks I will have both in front of me for swapping. Carlisle next weekend. That’s a few days I can’t get back- lol!