The GodsRods Duster is finally getting manual steering (maybe).

My local parts stores (NAPA, AutoZone, Advance) have not been helpful in getting the right Pitman arm. I need the Pitman arm that enters the center link from the top that has the right sector shaft diameter. The power and manual sector shafts are different diameters. Anyone know a part # or better source that isn't astronomically priced?

The steering column pod also has a different size shaft diameter. So much for whacking on the column and pulling it down the extra 2 inches. I haven't been able to find that larger pod in the salvage yards. Any suggestions on other sources besides paying over $100 for the custom extension?

Thanks,
Rob

Have an extension welded in the original shaft. There is no way around getting an original coupler for a manual box. Even the big $$$ adapter has the big dia splines on the male end, at least when I bought mine it did.

This is a '65, right? That will be a one piece shaft. For later models ('67-up, I believe) it is a two piece telescoping collapsible shaft, designed only to collapse in an impact. Whatever you do, don't shear off the pins in one of these.

"DW"

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

A little more searching did find the right Pitman arm, but they are all priced over $100. All adapters are over $100 as well. Firm Feel has an adapter that will fit the smaller power steering column!
Now the bad part... The Duster had been hit pretty hard in the front at some time in it's eventful life. The telescoping steering column had been colapsed.
Now, some have suggested that this is not a problem because you have enough length and it shouldn't slide apart. They even suggested pulling the inner shaft out that additional length rather than using the adapter.
I know, everyone has an opinion and I need to do what works for me. I still need to either get the Frim Feel adapter or find a manual steering pod anyway along with the Pitman arm. I'll let you know what route I take. I guess I should get this thing up on an alignment rack to see how bad that accident damage really is...

Rob

Why do you want to go from power to manual anyway? Wouldn't it be a better idea to just use a different gearbox?

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

The Duster is a race car only. The manual steering box is smaller and lighter which helps with weight reduction and gives more room for headers. Also, the power steering, when hooked up, robs horse power from the engine that you need for racing.
The swap requires switching the big, heavy power steering "gear box" to the smaller, lighter manual "gear box" along with all the other pieces I'm lamenting about here

Sounds like quite a pain to do the conversion. Someone oughta make conversion kits for racing.

BTW have you checked any junk yards or www.rockauto.com yet?

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

I have a Steering column out of a 1976 Dart. Is there any parts from it help you?

How do I got back to my previous post to edit my mistakes?

Ok, lets try again!
I have a steering column that came from a 1976 Dart with floor shift manual transmission. Will any parts from that column help you? I can ship any or all of it. However............I need to check condition of parts before sending it to you because that car was in accident too.

Rob, I had a '69 Road Runner some years ago. One day, a few months after buying it, I was checking the oil or something and just HAPPENED to look down and notice that the dust seal had popped off of the steering coupler, and those little shoes were only engaged like 1/4", with the rest sticking out ready to fall apart. I marvelled at how close I had come to having no steering at all, and I had just been out dogging the "devil" out of it! Yes, there is a tiny pin in the top end of the coupler that's supposed to keep the shoes in, but they had worked it out over time and the whole thing very nearly went to pieces. Somewhere in the car's life, the pins had been sheared off, and that allowed the shoes to work up out of the coupler. Just be careful whatever you do.

"DW"

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Hey Dennis,
The dust cover on this one is off right now too. I hadn't thought of that end of the shaft. I can see that if the nylon plugs are sheared and then the pod lets go as well I could be in some trouble. Whatever I do, I will probably at least tack weld the shaft if I wind up using this one.

Hey Craig,
Thanks for the offer to help. Your '76 more than likely had power steering, so your column would have the smaller coupler pod as well. I appreciate the help though.
Those columns are good to hang on to for swap meet material because lots of guys convert from cloumn shift to floor shift and look for a cloumn that doesn't have the PRNDL and shifter boss on them for that finished look.
This is just an old, beat up, rusty race car. So, if/when I convert it over to a floor shifter I'll just take off the shifter arm and call it good.
I'll let you all know what I come up with. Thanks again!

Rob

Wow! 2 1/2 years and I still haven't done this swap! Well, I'm planning a trip back to Georgia for high school graduation and will hopefully be able to get the GodsRods Duster down to the Slant 6 race in Valdosta as well.

I just ordered the power to manual adapter from Mancini Racing (they say it will fit the smaller steering column coupler), but I still need to find the correct Pitman arm. I have a manual steering box in the trunk, but I can't remember if there is a difference in manual steering box sector shaft sizes or if the difference is just between the pre-'73 and '73 up power steering boxes.

I was searching through threads looking for the answer when I found this old post and had to laugh!

I've been trying to access the Firm Feel website for a couple days with no luck.

Does someone have the answer and possibly a part number to search for? It's a '73 Duster that currently has power steering and I want to convert it to manual steering. Thanks!

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Huh-huh huh-huh! Huh-huh huh-huh...

(Sorry, Rob, couldn't resist that one!)

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

I know, I know... He must get teased about that all the time!

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser