i did the swap last year. it's a great upgrade, you will need different hoses as the fittings are (I think metric)

 

That's good to hear! Yes it has the O ring type fitting...I think the nuts are metric...18mm?

 

let me know how it feels driving 65-70mph. mine is very touchy at 70 like it is tights but just feels very touchy. maybe its because im use to driving my 14 1500. but also might be the alignment shop isnt the best and most shops dont mess with older cars around here.

 

Chad--I will let you know how the steering feels but it will be a while because of engine issues (see my "Bad News" post). I want to fix the engine issues once and for all first. If the problem is the cam as I suspect, I will be removing front engine stuff-- water pump & accessories so there is no use putting new steering pump on yet.

 

Before the Skylark was wrecked, I remember it being sensitive to any movement off center while at highway speed. Perhaps it was too much assist from the pump, or maybe the alignment needed more caster to stay on center. I would have tried adjusting the pump pressure to be lower first because its application was for a Caprice.

 

Hopefully this Monte Carlo box & pump will work well with my Phoenix.

 

put 40lbs of air in the tires and took the car back to the shop. they said it had too much toe in. Now it drives great.

If for some reason it dont handle good make sure you have your shop check the alignment.

did you get that steering column cover new? I need one heck i really need 3 of them.

 

Talked with a shop owner(turns out I went to high school with him) the other day. He told me that you only need about 1/8" toe in with radial tires. Might bring him my car for alignment, but maybe not. I have done 10 Novas and quiet a few other cars also and only had an alignment on one and that one wore the tires. I always rebuild the front ends and put the original shims back as they were.

 

my problem with the cardone boxes was the first 2 was not quick ratio one was 17:1 other was 15:1. the 3rd one i got was closer to 13:5:1 but didnt turn very good and had alot of slop. Thats when i gave up and ordered a lares box and it is a true 12:1 with just under 2 1/2 turns lock to lock. you can put print out this degree wheel and test them. You want as soon as the front shaft moves for the pitman arm shaft to move. If you have play it will be like playing pong going around large curves.

 

Thanks Chad--That sounds like it was really frustrating. I hope mine works better. On the bench my new one turns 2 1/2 lock to lock....The old one was about 3 maybe a little more... What I was really looking for is better road feel not necessarily quicker. But looks like the new one will be a little quicker as it is supposed to be. Hopefully I can get my motor issue fixed in the next several weeks and drive it to see what I have.

 

Was wondering if anyone who switched to the Monte steering box had problems centering the steering? After installing mine and centering the steering wheel through the tie rods I noticed I have an unequal amount of turns left and right to the stops. Also can't seem to turn as sharp as the old box. There are only four mounting positions for the pitman arm and only clears the frame and reaches the center link. Did anyone change to a different pitman arm?

 

If you just ordered a box from a parts store, you may have gotten the Trans Am box. It is a quick ratio like the Monte box, but the sweep of the output shaft is less which would explain why you don't have the turning radius of your original.

I didn't have any problems centering the box I had. It sounds to me like you will need to adjust the tie rods to bring the tires to center when the box is also at center. A competent alignment shop will be able to do this if you need an alignment anyway. If you do it yourself, just make sure to use equal numbers of turns to each side or else you will need the shop anyway.

I used the original pitman arm on the Monte box. No clearance issues.

 

Now that I got my engine back together and running pretty decent (see bad news thread), it's time to get back to the steering.

Next step is to install power steering pump. Pulley is on and I have a pressure hose. But I need a return hose and was thinking of using two of these that should fit the 86 Monte Carlo pump and box.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...063=1986+:+Chevrolet+:+Monte+Carlo+SS+:+5.0L+305CI+V8+Carb+VIN:+G&storeId=10151

I would connect them with power steering hose and clamps. The fittings come in different angles. Not sure which would work best yet. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

Got things back together but still a little more to do before road test. Fill with fluid and set toe-in.



QUESTION: Is this pittman arm on far enough?

 

pitman arm to steering box large nut should be torqued to 180lb-ft but it looks about the same as the 4 gear boxes i have. but i would double check 180

 

Okay I will check that out. Thanks Chad.

 

Toe needs to be set with car on level ground, front and rear suspension at ride height, I always bounce the front of the car before measuring. I also use doubled up plastic trash bags under the front tires (so tires will slip to a relaxed position).

 

Okay thanks---I wasn't sure it needed to be on the ground. Trash bag idea is great!

 

The steering works great! Tried it out on back roads and on expressway. It's just what I wanted. Heavier feel. The old felt like the front wheels were barely touching the ground. Also a little quicker--old was 3 1/4 turn to turn--this is 2 1/2.... Can really feel the road better and overall works better than the old box and pump. The other wasn't terrible but this has less play. Very happy! Seems fine at speed--not twitchy just more precise.

Also, new sway bar bushings made a noticeable difference. Corners a little flatter--more controlled. :yes:

 

Im happy to hear it worked out for you. i love the quick steering now that it has a correct alignment.

 

What pressure and return line did you end up running?

What pressure and return line did you end up running? Part numbers would be a great help. Doing this swap with a serpentine setup and trying to find the lines that will work.

 

What pressure and return line did you end up running? Part numbers would be a great help. Doing this swap with a serpentine setup and trying to find the lines that will work.

The pressure line was given to me. I was told it was listed as from an 80 Camaro, but not sure.
I'm sorry I don't have a part number. If I had bought one I probably would have looked at one for an 86 Monte Carlo SS since that's what the pump and box are. I would have compared its shape with my old line to check for positioning. This one doesn't fit perfect position-wise but is adequate.

For the return line I ran power steering hose from fitting that comes out of back of power steering pump to a fitting on steering box. Since there is no pressure I used hose clamps to secure. I got an o-ring type return line fitting for the steering box off a late 80's Trans Am in a salvage yard. The return line cost about $5 total for hose and fitting.

Hopes this helps at least a little.

 

From what i understand from reading some info on a monte site yesterday it seems the Steering box from an S10 will work as well. Pity there wasn't a quick ratio manual box for one.

 

The only issues i find with using other boxes not monte carlo is the steering stops in the box. The 2nd box was iroc box that was suppose to be a monte box. but couldnt make a tight turn. the box just would let me. once i got the lares box that was monte box i can make tight turns. maybe the s10 box is the same as the monte. if you search google theirs a few sites that have all the ratios for the boxes and bump stops

 

If you are going to rely on the local auto parts store, I suggest that you make a protractor template that you can use to verify the sweep of the output shaft.

You should have an 87 degree sweep. Anything less will decrease the parking lot maneuverability you should have.