jonathan_ed3

iTrader: (1)

Anybody know of a source to buy a rebuilt manual gear box?

I can barely find a used one....much less a used one in decent shape.

I want to get rid of my power steering gear box.

Does anybody know if the steering columns are interchangeable, or will I need to buy a manual gear box with a steering column?

Starfox07

the ps box is quicker and generally regarded as better from what i've read. Why do you want to do this?

jonathan_ed3

iTrader: (1)

The car has an LS1 and my driver side exhaust manifold is about 2mm away from the gear box. I'm afraid of boiling the PS fluid and/or damaging the box and making a big paper weight. Plus the gear box is 25 years old and leaks and seeps gross P/S fluid all over the driver side frame rail. Maybe I'll keep it...but if it's not too much trouble I would really like to go manual.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Some have said you don't need to change the steering column. When I installed PS in the widebody, I changed the column. For some reason I think it's necessary but can't remember why. If you're going with wider tires, I'd keep the PS. Find/fix the leak and make a heat shield.

Starfox07

You can also just cap off the pump and run it as a manual rack correct?

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

the PS box has a separate column, and the manual one does not.

they do swap out, but you need the manual column.

kencunm

iTrader: (3)

I think I just saw some for an 83 and an 85 at www.everdrive.com
Seems like they were asking about $200. Might look there.

jonathan_ed3

iTrader: (1)

Does that make it hard (er) to turn than if it was a true manual rack?

mikeric

iTrader: (20)

This is currently what I have on mine. It turns fairly easily. My biggest complaint is the play in the wheel which gets worse with speed. At 100+ MPH you better be awake (well, you better be awake anyway) as it takes a lot of concentration to keep it straight.

Once I work out my other issues, I will work out a bracket to put the power steering back on.

+1: Make a heat shield

XLNDRVR

iTrader: (3)

I've been running this way for years, with no problem. Some will complain that it is too hard to steer at a stop or at low speed. It's not a big deal.

I just ran a line from one port to the other to create a circuit, topped the fluid off, and made sure it was very secure. Haven't had to touched it since.

mikeric is 100% right about the play.

Aerodynamic Pants

My 83 GS is run this way.
The steering is still light enough for me to easily turn the wheel lock to lock from a stop with 205/50/15's on the front, and no I'm not the strongest guy in the world.
You will have about 1-2" of play in the steering wheel as has been mentioned already, but it doesn't particularly bother me.