Power Steering Thoughts
Looking for Input
Updated - 3.10.2009
Updated - 10.18.2014 (RED)
Updated - 12-2-2018 ( GREEN)
Garage Tested
12/27/2018
road test to follow Spring '19
(when road salt is gone)
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11-24-2018
The website will be updated, changed where needed. There will be an attempt to edit out some information. This page was created in 2009, some links may still work - - - -some may not. The entire purpose of this site is to be a working plan & recorded reference for the author.
This page or any links ARE NOT MEANT to be instructional in any form!!! 11/28/2018
There is an added section near the bottom of this page, which includes info and pictures of the installtion. If you have been following the progress of this install, then you may want to . . . . . . Go to Control Valve ball stud/hose orientation 3.10.2009
So. . . as geezers, pre-geezers and folks looking to improve our vannin' experience there is a "need" for an effective, "simple, cheap & easy" method to install power steering in our first and second generation vans. Before moving on, I must thank Optik , Sparky & M1Dadio(2018) for their completed and working power steering conversions - - they are all great!!! As always - - - I am just looking for "cheap & easy". Following are some research and thoughts I have: |
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'64
- '70 Chevrolet Van Steering Set-up click to enlarge |
'55 -
'59 Pick-up Truck
Power Steering click to enlarge |
| First ignore the
power steering pump in '55 - '59 diagram. Back in the day Chevy mounted
the power steering
pumps on the back of the generator. They work just like late models
pumps, just a different mount. The drag link (item #12 - Van diagram) lengths of the van( 28" center-to-center) & pick-up trucks (approx. 15") are vastly different lengths. The mounting is essentially the same. They are identical ( if you swap the ends of the '59 unit). They both connect to a pitman arm and the steering arm. Visualize the control valve end of the '59 unit on the steering arm end of van drag link - - - - now scroll down looking over the components pictured. |
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| CCP '55 - '59 Chevy
Truck Power Steering Kit from Classic Performance  |
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| The following was used on Corvettes and Full size Chevys for many years Trucks - '55 - '59 Passenger cars '55- '64 '63 - '82 Corvette Steering  The power steering valve (control valve) is mounted on the relay rod because of clearance issues. |
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The following thoughts began in 2009. They have been modified, as noted, since.
Using the stock '64 - '70 van drag link, cut the steering arm end off, being careful that the rod end to rod end center remains the stock length. Machine thread the "cut" end to screw into the Corvette Control Valve. (Will not work) Install the power cylinder steering cylinder using the stock Corvette mount and a tie rod mount from CPP. (fabricated mount) Install custom hoses & lines, power steering pump and van - on!!! Questions:
I will continue, as much as possible, to shop stores which are accessible for all of us. Cost Estimates [2.08.2009] [no 3.20.2014 update] [11/24/2018 - update] I am not sure if the Corvette America prices are current. I checked Auto Zone for the Corvette and Granada control valves and cylinder. Their prices are higher (without shipping) for both.
TOTAL - $922.44 NEW INDIVIDUAL PRICES & TOTALS
WILL BE UPDATED SOON |
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63
- '82 Corvette Power Steering Cylinder Click to Enlarge |
'63 -
'82 Corvette Power
Control Valve Click to Enlarge |
IMPORTANT .  the ball stud on the left was removed from a NAPA ES409L tie rod. The ball portion will be machined to the ball dimensions of the removable Corvette ball stud on the right. |
Drag
Link Replacement
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Fabricated Custom Drag Link  Click to Enlarge |
Stock Drag Link (replaced by parts to the left)  Click to Enlarge |
| Drag Link Fabrication  CLICK TO ENLARGE |
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The
removeable tapered Corvette Control Valve ball stud
is not the correct size to fit a 2nd gen Van steering arm. The
ball stud in a NAPA ES409LT tie rod is the correct size.
The NAPA ball stud end will be machined to fit the Corvette Control Valve, (completed)  Click To Enlarge  Click to Enlarge |
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| Control Valve ball stud/hose orientation Please note: The stock orientation of the ball stud and Control Valve Hose locations "should" be turned 180° Doing so, will allow the hoses to be better routed, as well as reducing stree on the hoses Stock Ball Stud/Hose Orientation  As installed on my Van  |
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| Fabricated Drag Link  Click to Enlarge |
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Parts to Install Click to Enlarge |
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| Fabricated Brackets & Mounts Axle Mount Bracket Power Steering Assist Cylinder modification  Click to Enlarge |
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 Click to Enlarge |
 Click to Enlarge |
 Click to Enlarge |
 Click to Enlarge |
| Fabricated Cylinder Piston Mount to Tie-rod  Click to Enlarge |
Cylinder Piston Mount to Tie-rod (rear view)  Click to Enlarge |
| ALTERNATIVE Axle Mount Bracket Power Steering Assist Cylinder M1Dado design The rod pictured is threaded because it was previously modified to mount into the axle. The threads are not needed.  Moving the above mount from the axle to the bracket mount was needed to insure the steering assist piston is absolutely parallel with the tie rod assembly Midadio design Installed  |
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How-to Rebuild a Corvette Control Valve Steering Control Valve Adjustment Procedure |
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There are clearances issues for both 1st & 2nd Generation Vans
The following addresses only 2nd Generation Vans. This 1967 GMC Van has: a factory sway bar and a M1Dadio Front Disc Brake Conversion For the Corvette Control Valve to clear both the Sway Bar Lower Mounts AND the Disc Brake Calipers new Lower Sway Bar Mounts need to be fabricated. The '67 - '70 Sway Bar Mounts will be addressed further down. Many thanks to BvrWalley for making the drive and taking pictures of his stored van. Take a look at the following pictures, mentally build a virtual power steering system. Please send me your thoughts, (js) |
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For reference ONLY Does not apply to '67 - '70 Van Control Valve will not Clear (Must modify as shown in adjacentr pic) '64 - '66 Vans  Click to Enlarge |
For reference ONLY Does not apply to '67 - '70 Van ONE example of PS Install '64 - '66 Vans  Click to Enlarge |
Click to Enlarge |
Fabricated Sway Bar Brackets Will Be addressed further down The brackets will be aprx - - 3" longer (higher)  Click to Enlarge |
Click to Enlarge |
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Click
to Enlarge |
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| Updated 3.10.09 |
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Click
to Enlarge All
measurements in inches
Drag link end Corvette Control Valve A -.74 (3/4") A -.64 B - .66 (5/8") B - .53 C - .75 C - .61 D - .75 E - .96 Both tapers above are 7º Ram cylinder A - .60 B - .60 C - .67 extended link - 26.00" 2/3 retract - 19.00" |
Click
to Enlarge
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Click
to Enlarge |
Click
to Enlarge Corvette Control Valve Service Kit |
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to Enlarge |
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to Enlarge |
Click to Enlarge  |
Click
to Enlarge '68 - '82 Note spline indexing |
| NEW Control Valve Slideshow |
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New 11/28/2018 Mounts,. Modifications, Installation |
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| Control Valve, Power Cylinder Stationary Cylinder mount, Tie Rod Cylinder mount  Click to Enlarge |
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Slave/Power Cylinder AN Adapters #1  Click to Enlarge |
Slave/Power Cylinder AN Adapters #2  Click to Enlarge |
| Cylinder Stationary Mount top view  Click to Enlarge |
Cylinder Stationary Mount End View  Click to Enlarge |
| Pictures of the completed Installation coming soon |
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Thoughts???
| Main Van Page Disc Brake Convrersion A/C Installation |
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