68 Cuda PS gear and column

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340mouse

340mouse

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I need help!!!
Changing my 68 Cuda to PS,
are all the PS boxes the same from 68 to 72, are the pitman shafts all the same size,
also I need a PS column, what are the lengths on the PS and the manual columns,
and how do you measure the total length, changing due to shoulder injuries.
Thanks for any help,
Dave
 
Hi Dave,

You can just change the actual shaft instead of the entire steering column. That's what I did.

Power steering shaft is 38" long

Manual shaft is 40 1/2" long.

The 68-72 power steering boxes are all the same. B body, E body and A body.

The pitman arm shaft diameter was increased in '73.
 
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The '62-7 A and B body power steering gears will work too. The center shaft in the column is probably only '68-9 A-body. '67 A-body as a whole column should fit too.
 
My delima as well.

I am going to shorten my shaft and re-pin. The column is restored and quite nice. I am confidant that No one will want to return it Manual steer!
 
I wouldn't mess with the pin. If you're not going to replace the center shaft, but, instead shorten your existing manual shaft, I'd get the proper P/S coupler and just telescope the shaft shorter. You give up the plastic pins in the crush zone, but, that wouldn't bother me. It might bother others who want the same crash-worthiness of the column though.
 
Yes that was another option I considered, shortening the manual shaft, but I wanted to maintain the full collapse-ability of the steering shaft in case of front end collision.
 
Then pull the inner part of the center shaft and cut off a couple of inches and put it back in. The plastic pins just keep the inner shaft from sliding around when it's out of the car. They don't do much in a collision......just sheer off.
 
cudamark said:
Then pull the inner part of the center shaft and cut off a couple of inches and put it back in. The plastic pins just keep the inner shaft from sliding around when it's out of the car. They don't do much in a collision......just sheer off.
Click to expand...

This is the best way IMO.

Re-drill and re-pin for safety. Use some hot glue and or both with a nylon pin to reset it. Some disassembly is required! Assuming the structural of the column housing is in tact!
 
1969383S said:
This is the best way IMO.

Re-drill and re-pin for safety. Use some hot glue and or both with a nylon pin to reset it. Some disassembly is required! Assuming the structural of the column housing is in tact!
Click to expand...

I don't think it's the inside of the shaft that's the issue. It's the reduction of travel of overlapping flat part of the shaft being reduced due to the shaft being telescoped shorter.
 
Think about it!

If you pop the nylon pin on the inner shaft and collapse it, then you have less travel before being impaled.

You have to shorten it first. JMO.

Some may not care, but I do.
 
I am doing this exactly. If the wife is driving the car and lord forbid we have an accident, I want her to have at least the same protection in collapse as the original!
 
Yes agreed, but it's the "flat" part of the shaft that determines the amount of distance of collapsing.


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1969383S said:
Think about it!

If you pop the nylon pin on the inner shaft and collapse it, then you have less travel before being impaled.

You have to shorten it first. JMO.

Some may not care, but I do.
Click to expand...
That's what I said, cut the inner shaft shorter if you're worried about it. I have a '66 model with a solid shaft. Does that mean I'm not going to drive it because the shaft won't collapse? No way! If you're that worried about safety, just drive modern cars with air bags and better crash worthiness.
 
cudamark said:
That's what I said, cut the inner shaft shorter if you're worried about it. I have a '66 model with a solid shaft. Does that mean I'm not going to drive it because the shaft won't collapse? No way! If you're that worried about safety, just drive modern cars with air bags and better crash worthiness.
Click to expand...


In my case the 69 housing is the same for both. I will shorten the inner shaft to PS specs and re-pin.
 
340mouse said:
Well, I have a 72 steering box, but still up in the air about what I will do for a column.
Click to expand...
A parts wanted ad will probably get you a power steering shaft with coupling. You could probably sell the manual shift with coupling after the swap too.
 
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