Hey guys, i am been agonizing over what to do here. I have a 74 dart currently with good power steering (no leaks if you can believe that). I have been thinking about going to manual steering, because i have a whole setup (box,coupler,column). Normally i wouldnt give it a second though---however here are my thoughts.

1) the wife also drives this car

2) the 225/50/15 tires on the front would probably add to the resistance of turning with a manual box

3) The 6.5 degrees of caster is not going to help with turning on a manual box

4) the car is a cruiser but is set up for handleing too. I added power brakes for more of a cruiser comfort thing to go along with the power steering

5) the weight loss of the power setup is NOT a concern for me--as stated, the car is a cruise, not a race car (although it does that too oce in awhile)

So what are your opinions here?

--chad

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74 swinger slant 6, the slowest, most fun car i have ever owned.

Leave it alone(my opinion)

Maybe when it start to leak

i have driven a big block demon with iron heads and intake and it wasn't that bad with the 24:1 manual steering and my old feather duster had manual steering and was fine with the 24:1 ratio athough both a bit slow turning lock to lock. the 16:1 ratio in my swinger is a little more than most people would want to drive day to day (try your p/s with the engine off!) one other thing to consider (although probably minor) is the few extra hp and mpg you'll gain from the lighter manual setup that you already own.

-james

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If your wife drives it, it'll have wide tires (225s), and the pwr steering works, I say leave it alone. I have 24:1 manual on my 64 Dart and it's not hard to turn, but this lightened car probably had 2-300 less lbs on the front end than your car.

Lou

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