tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys,

Im sorry to start a new thread but i cant seem to find a decent answer. I am in the middle of an LT1 swap and need to do power steering lines. The car is an 87 Iroc, originally a 305TPI with the FE2 suspension RPO. The last few owners of the car kinda had their way with it and its been a chore tracing everything back. When i bought the car it had a 350 truck motor from early 70's, v belt accessories etc. the works. And she burned more oil than fuel....

Anyway. The issue i am having is everything i have read and seen I should have metric o-ring fittings in the box. However the line i took off is an inverted double flare (with lots and lots of teflon tape between the flare and the nut). There is a small check valve or flow control orifice in the box, on the pressure port. When i pull that out, the O-ring fitting fits fine. ( i havent actually put the o-rings on the ends yet, but it all fits in there. and it is metric threaded.)

Yes i have read the LTx stickies, I started this with the caprice line i thought i needed.

Also, i am slightly at a disadvantage because i painted the box when i sprayed the engine bay. So trying to find which code is ink stamped on the cap probably wont happen. However, with the front end up and the PO smaller steering wheel i am about 2 turns lock to lock. So i am "assuming" that he didnt change the box out for the engine swap.

So have any of you guys run into metric flare gear boxes? Is there something im missing? I have attached a picture of the pressure port if you guys have seen anything like this.

At this point i am probably going to Napa or somewhere to get a line made up. I just want to make sure that if i have a custom made line it will "work" and I wont be fighting with PS leaks. Or have to redo custom lines....

Any help would be nice, Thanks guys-

tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

I know its only been a few hours but i really could use some help here guys. I was told it might be for power assist? does that make sense?

Im heading to Advance and Napa after work. advance has a remanned gear box i want to look at those ports, and Napa for the line, if i can figure it out.

novaderrik

someone jammed an SAE flared line in there- probably from the same donor vehicle as the old engine- then used the pipe sealer to try to stop the leak...
you said that the new line fits- so put the o ring on it and use it.

tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

Well after running to advanced and Napa last night I have figured that it probably isn't the stock gear box. The unit at advanced auto also has the inlet port check valve but it is recessed much lower in the port.

So I'll probably cut the o-ring end off of one of the hoses I have and use a flare tool to flare it. Once the car runs I'll figure out a better solution.

I'm sure the line came from the donor car because it is a little longer than the stock replacement line.... so who knows.

novaderrik

is it possible that someone put a set of Lee insert adapters into the steering box to use the old school flared line with the new box? that's what people do when they swap IROC boxes into old Chevelles and what not because they think that's somehow easier than just getting a pressure line for an '80 Camaro and swapping the pressure port on the back of the pump with a newer style...

if so, the flared seat comes right out..

tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

Thanks. I saw those in a carcraft article about putting the newer quick ratio boxes in older cars. So thats how i found out the check valve would come out.

Im thinking i either have an oddball or the box was replaced. IM probably just going to make an inverted flare end to limp through getting the car running. THen maybe ill change out the box, or ill cough up the $$ for a custom made line...

Thanks for your responses novaderrik

novaderrik

you'd also have a weird hybrid rag joint if the box was replaced with an older one, since they went to the metric o ring fittings at the same time they changed the splines on the input shaft... so if you did get a box with metric fittings, then the rag joint wouldn't slide on..

tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

very true.

So based on a few things i found this weekend, i think its still the original box. The rag joint doesnt look new or even like it is an adapter.

The casting number on the box is 26000525, which from my quick searches puts in the right generation.

The date code is 7A166, which i believe is 1987 A(shift) 166th day. from SSG plant 7.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...&Number=204381

So maybe that 7 could be 77, but i havent found any confirmation that the box casting number was used before they went metric.

The day code cast in the housing is 145 IIRC, the picture is at home. so that would make sense, 21 days from casting to final assembly.

There are a few power steering shops around, nothing super close, but close enough to warrant an initial phone call see if they know anything or can at least make a hose for me.

ill try to update just as FYI for anyone wondering if i get some new knowledge

Thanks again NovaDerrik.

tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

So, anyone paying attention to this thread I figured id follow up.

I talked with Tom Lee of Lee Manufacturing last night. He said that maybe the check valve got "relocated" during my PO attempt to seal everything up. He said they dont ever put those back in and I would be fine running without it. That means the metric o-ring fittings will work great.

He did make the caveat of running a power steering pump that was designed for a rack & pinon car on an older gear box type car that I might have some steering lag, or maybe it will feel sluggish. SO something to keep in mind as we all modernize our cars.

If you guys every have a need for power steering i would highly recommend Tom and his team.