A body big block power steering gearbox

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383FormulaS67

383FormulaS67

Bob
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Ohio
My 67 Barracuda is a 383, with manual steering. Did the power steering gear boxes differ from small block to big block?
I want to install P.S.
 
P/S was not an option w/383. I was there in 1968 when I ordered my car from the factory. However something changed in late '68 because I now own a late '68 (June 1st) cuda w/ 383 and factory P/S. I have been told that the difference is in a re-designed K-member. You better check this out before you proceed. Good luck.
 
383FormulaS67 said:
It has stock manifolds, but want headers. I've been told: Firm Feel gear box, with TTI headers......
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I found the answer in my 68 Barracuda. RMS front suspension with a power rack. No torsion bars or box to get in the way. My TTI's fall into place. Mine is a 416 SB, but it would have to make life a whole lot easier even with a Low Deck.
 
Power steering was an option at certain times in the big block a-bodies, but I'm not sure why. The steering gear location should be the same for all a-body k-members. We have installed power steering in one '67 Barracuda with a 383 on a Direct Connection k-member. I will be doing the same with my '67 Barracuda convertible with a 440.
 
A Borgeson powersteering-box is hardly any bigger than a manual box these days so I doubt these will give any issues.
 
I put the Borgenson box in with my low deck stroked 400, the 1 3/4 TTI headers hit the box, #3 tube had to be dented. I finally got tired of it and went back to manual steering.
 
5.7 hemi said:
I put the Borgenson box in with my low deck stroked 400, the 1 3/4 TTI headers hit the box, #3 tube had to be dented. I finally got tired of it and went back to manual steering.
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Sadly from all the info and forums I've been reading, it looks like a tight ratio manual box is my best bet..TBD. Thanks All!
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
I found the answer in my 68 Barracuda. RMS front suspension with a power rack. No torsion bars or box to get in the way. My TTI's fall into place. Mine is a 416 SB, but it would have to make life a whole lot easier even with a Low Deck.
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Thanks Roy, I'm liking the set up you have, the Modern K frame takes this car into the 21st century. I want to be able to drive this car on the freeway, fast. I haven't researched availability of the K Frame for a big block??? I'll look into the RMS. Need a second job, first!
 
383FormulaS67 said:
Thanks Roy, I'm liking the set up you have, the Modern K frame takes this car into the 21st century. I want to be able to drive this car on the freeway, fast. I haven't researched availability of the K Frame for a big block??? I'll look into the RMS. Need a second job, first!
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Call RMS and talk to Bill the owner. Yes they make it for BB. I was dreading installing the headers, I waited till it was the last thing.TTI 340 step headers, I had the car on a lift and the damn things slid right in! I was amazed. Mine has a power rack. I love it.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
Call RMS and talk to Bill the owner. Yes they make it for BB. I was dreading installing the headers, I waited till it was the last thing.TTI 340 step headers, I had the car on a lift and the damn things slid right in! I was amazed. Mine has a power rack. I love it.
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Power rack is nice,.... does the coil suspension do well with bumpy roads? I know your in FL., but Ohio roads are very diverse! Also my inner fenders need repaired/replaced, because of cut out headers. I saw narrowed inner fenders on their website, have you those too??? Thanks!
 
I don't have a lot of different type road driving to compare it to but the roads around my house are horrible and it seems to handle bumps pot holes well. I will find some pictures and post them.
 
The power steering boxes were the same in that vintage, Later years used a larger pitman arm size. K- frame was the same for B engine A bodies and used the same engine mounts (except 440 cars) The 67 K- frame used the cantilevered style idle arm mount, that was the difference, 67 only. 67 Dart/ Barracuda 383 did not have a power steering option availability. The 67 Drivers side exhaust manifold design was the issue that prevented power steering in that year. 68/69 Driver side exhaust manifold for B engine was changed to accommodate power steering. So the 67 driver side manifold is a 1 year only deal.
 
Thanks for the info, that makes sense. Not a k-member difference in '68 but an exhaust manifold change allowing P/S. This is why when I got my exhaust from Accurate that they wanted to have my exhaust manifold numbers. Still, when I ordered my car in '68, P/S was not an option. It must take time for the engineering and the paperwork to meet.
 
Yes, the Factory likely used up the parts bin on early 68's. I have a picture some place with all the manifolds lined up together...easy to see the change in design. I'll see if I can find it. The passenger side stayed the same a 3 years. The 440 cars had a unique driver side 1 year only for 440 A body, the passenger side on these 440 cars then used a 3/4 metal spacer in the flange to make up the difference of the 440 being 3/4 inch taller on the deck.
 
marksmopar1 said:
The power steering boxes were the same in that vintage, Later years used a larger pitman arm size. K- frame was the same for B engine A bodies and used the same engine mounts (except 440 cars) The 67 K- frame used the cantilevered style idle arm mount, that was the difference, 67 only. 67 Dart/ Barracuda 383 did not have a power steering option availability. The 67 Drivers side exhaust manifold design was the issue that prevented power steering in that year. 68/69 Driver side exhaust manifold for B engine was changed to accommodate power steering. So the 67 driver side manifold is a 1 year only deal.
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Thanks for the info Mark, first year car pros and cons.
 
Yes, 67 was a lot of 1 year only stuff on these Darts and Barracuda's on top of all the 383 A body specialty part items. Soooo much fun
 
marksmopar1 said:
The power steering boxes were the same in that vintage, Later years used a larger pitman arm size. K- frame was the same for B engine A bodies and used the same engine mounts (except 440 cars) The 67 K- frame used the cantilevered style idle arm mount, that was the difference, 67 only. 67 Dart/ Barracuda 383 did not have a power steering option availability. The 67 Drivers side exhaust manifold design was the issue that prevented power steering in that year. 68/69 Driver side exhaust manifold for B engine was changed to accommodate power steering. So the 67 driver side manifold is a 1 year only deal.
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Mark, I'm finally getting into the restoration on my 67 383. I would like to put factory power steering in. I called Firm feel, and he suggested I call Wildcat Auto wrecking Sandy, OR. They can sell me all parts to convert from manual to power: Gear Box, pump, shaft, brackets and hardware. $500.00 I want the TRW box,but he said a dealer bought all their TRW booxes, all they have left is Saginaw, maybe a Federal. Should I make the effort to find a TRW elsewhere? Is there a quality issue from the three?
 
When you talk about TRW, Federal and Saginaw "boxes", you really mean "pumps" don't you? When it comes to pumps- the TRW or the Federal would be correct for your car. Visually, the two are very similar. I usually think of the Saginaw as a '69 and later pump. Visually the Saginaw is very different.
 
I agree with Murry on the pumps The 67 383 Barracuda and Darts did not have the power steering as an option. The power steering option on these cars did not start until 68. The 67 Big Block A body drivers side manifold is a 1 year only, 68/69 had a dimple cast in for the power steering option. I have not tried power steering install on a 67 car with the 67 only manifold so I have no idea if the dimple is actually needed or just a safety clearance? I have a picture of a 69 A body 440 drivers side manifold and the dimple is visible on the manifold at the #3 exhaust port. 67 manifold will not have this dimple.

69 Cuda 440 Drivers side exhaust Man 2.jpg
 
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