Is there any way to identify the ratio of a steering box from the junkyard? Number of turns?

The odds are you will never find one in a wrecking yard. They were never factory equipment, only an aftermarket conversion as currently available. But:

Regular 24:1 box (the only one you're ever likely to find in a yard) gives 5¾ steering wheel turns lock to lock.

Fast-ratio 16:1 box (you might find one of these once in an almost-never, 'cause it was available as a seldom-ordered option from '65-'69) gives 3½ turns lock to lock.

20:1 gives 4½ turns lock to lock.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Speaking of steering boxes......What is an aluminum steering box worth, if it's in good shape? I believe it's in a valiant....? I found one, but was afraid to price it, not knowing what it was worth.

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225 Cubic Inches of Iron-Head American Muscle

225 bored .040 /.100 off block, Schneider Cam 224@.050~ .480 lift - Stock valves, blended bowls, Offenhauser intake with 500 Edelbrock carb

Almost nothing. That kind of steering box, with aluminum housing, was used on every single nonpower-steering RWD Mopar passenger car starting in 1962 and ending whenever they quit even offering RWD cars without P/S (sometime in the late '70s). They are very, very, very common, even still today.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks for the info, SlantSix Dan. I have a played out 16:1, adjuster is all the way adjusted down. Is a DIY rebuild a possibility, parts available? Or do I have to send it out and spend $300 +? You're right, the boneyard ones are the regular 24:1.

Well, the parts are out there somewhere, given that places like Steer & Gear and Firm Feel offer rebuilt boxes. I've never tried to source 'em, myself. Perhaps one of those places would sell you the parts.

I had a 16:1 box on my '65 with lightweight aluminum 225. I hated that steering box. Such a constant nuisance on the street, not fun at all. I really like the 20:1.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

That's a good point, SlantSix Dan. My 340 A-body has the 16:1, but it lives outside the city. My /6 ragtop wants to go anywhere, and parallel park. Right now I have the played out 16:1 on the /6, but it might be too much steering once rebuilt. So the question now is do I swap in the newish 24:1 or keep beating the dead 16:1? Swap sounds safer.

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/6 '67 Barracuda convertible, electronic ignition, 4-OD, street cam, SBP KH discs, 3.55 SG 7.25" 1" t-bars. Bilstein.
340 '67 fastback, Doug Nash 5-speed.
1988 Toyota pickup work truck