122 Power Steering?
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Re: 122 Power Steering? (66hagar)
I know an 1800 (almost the same chassis as the 122) had this done to it. Some one in CA is trying to do this now. Sorry I can't detail how this was done I looked at it and abandoned the project and sold the stuff to the guy in CA.
My '66 1800 has a R&P from a 1979 240 (non power) and the steering is pretty light but more turns lock to lock. I will be replacing those 165-15's with something beefier.
I saw a 122 at the VCOA meet in Mt Snow with the whole front suspension replaced by a mustang type that the hot rodders used and he had PS. He also had the Buick aluminum V6 in it!
I know an 1800 (almost the same chassis as the 122) had this done to it. Some one in CA is trying to do this now. Sorry I can't detail how this was done I looked at it and abandoned the project and sold the stuff to the guy in CA.
My '66 1800 has a R&P from a 1979 240 (non power) and the steering is pretty light but more turns lock to lock. I will be replacing those 165-15's with something beefier.
I saw a 122 at the VCOA meet in Mt Snow with the whole front suspension replaced by a mustang type that the hot rodders used and he had PS. He also had the Buick aluminum V6 in it!
Re: 122 Power Steering? (VolvoBob)
Thanks George, I am running a '75 B20 +.030, D cam, DGAS weber, big valves etc. I don't have AC but will consider it if I can locate something that works. The main issue is the heavy steering. All the linkage bits (ball joints, draglinks etc.) are in good shape. I was thinking maybe the power steering box from a '74 142 GLE, or 164 would be a close fit. Then I could work on the pump mounts and drive belt etc.
Any ideas?
Don
Thanks George, I am running a '75 B20 +.030, D cam, DGAS weber, big valves etc. I don't have AC but will consider it if I can locate something that works. The main issue is the heavy steering. All the linkage bits (ball joints, draglinks etc.) are in good shape. I was thinking maybe the power steering box from a '74 142 GLE, or 164 would be a close fit. Then I could work on the pump mounts and drive belt etc.
Any ideas?
Don
Re: 122 Power Steering? (66hagar)
The drive pulley on the 140/160 ps system would need to be aligned with a triple pulley on the crank if you are running an alternator plus plan for AC. Much work and some chassis cutting may be in order. Locating a rebuildable ps system may also be a challenge. I don't see how the existing 122 steering column (is your's one-piece?) would integrate with the new ps unit as the input to the existing steering box is located by the angle and length of the 122 column. Worth a try.
When I ran fat tires on my '67 122 wagon (B20 hotrod) the solution to armstrong steering at low/no speeds was to run 40+psi in the fronts and set the alignment geometry to minimize steering effort. This works great around town but track-time wore the front tires all weird.
George Dill
The drive pulley on the 140/160 ps system would need to be aligned with a triple pulley on the crank if you are running an alternator plus plan for AC. Much work and some chassis cutting may be in order. Locating a rebuildable ps system may also be a challenge. I don't see how the existing 122 steering column (is your's one-piece?) would integrate with the new ps unit as the input to the existing steering box is located by the angle and length of the 122 column. Worth a try.
When I ran fat tires on my '67 122 wagon (B20 hotrod) the solution to armstrong steering at low/no speeds was to run 40+psi in the fronts and set the alignment geometry to minimize steering effort. This works great around town but track-time wore the front tires all weird.
George Dill
I have factory workshop manuals for 140/160 series and after looking under a hood or 2, it looks like adding one universal (similar to the one used on a MGB) to the end of the 122 top (2-piece) section should work? Could be fun.
Ditto on the alignment game ... I won't be doing a lot of track time, but a compromise in geometry would help some.
Thanks,
Don
Ditto on the alignment game ... I won't be doing a lot of track time, but a compromise in geometry would help some.
Thanks,
Don
Re: 122 Power Steering? (66hagar)
Hi Volvobud, the Mustang II front end does look like a tempting option .... and I do have a 3.9 Rover V8 kicking around .... Hummm. It sure would be easy to go with a power rack ... But I just like the feel of the old pushrod brickmotor. Might consider the big switch if I can't make the power box upgrade work out.
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Thanks for the info.
Don
Hi Volvobud, the Mustang II front end does look like a tempting option .... and I do have a 3.9 Rover V8 kicking around .... Hummm. It sure would be easy to go with a power rack ... But I just like the feel of the old pushrod brickmotor. Might consider the big switch if I can't make the power box upgrade work out.
Thanks for the info.
Don
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