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This Chevy Delphi steering kit is an excellent way to upgrade your classic to modern steering if you wish to stay with a steering box. Its internal rack spool and 16:1 ratio give quick steering and road feel. It is the next best thing to a rack and pinion steering system. This box can be used with the original steering column or an ididit tilt column.
When using the original steering column, it must be shortened using PIN 53-400 or 53-401 conversion kit to make room for the flex coupler. All of the original standard steering linkage is maintained while the stock steering box is removed and no longer used. Any type of header or cast iron manifold exhaust system will fit with the Delphi kit. This article covers a small block short water installation. Big block short water installations are similar. If you want a classic that truly drives like a brand new car, install our Chevy Delphi steering kit!
Time Frame:
Image 1a, 1b:
The original steering box is bolted to the frame with three 3/8" carriage bolts and nuts. The stock mast jacket (steering column) passes through the firewall about 3-1/2". The steering shaft that connects the steering box to the steering wheel is part of the steering box and not removable.
Image 2a, 2b, diagram:
The new Delphi steering box has a single case and is bolted to the frame using the original three holes in the frame. The input shaft on the Delphi box is a male 17 millimeter double-D.
Image 3a, 3b:
The Delphi box includes new bolts to attach the box to the frame. With the box bolted to the frame, the clearance between the box and the exhaust is the same on the Delphi box and the original one. The Delphi box is taller than the original box at the firewall. If the stock mast jacket is going to be used, PIN 57-162089-1 mast jacket conversion for column shift or 57-178690-1 for floor shift (refer to CCI website for a copy of the tech article) will need to be used.
Image 4:
A flex coupler (rag joint) is used to connect the steering box to the steering column to improve road feel by reducing the transfer of bumps and vibration to the steering wheel. Three different couplers are available so the stock column or any aftermarket column can be used with the Delphi box. The bottom of each of the couplers is 17 millimeter female to connect to the steering box. The top of each coupler is where the difference is. Follow the chart below to determine the correct coupler to be used for your application.
Image 5a, 5b:
The coupler is held to the steering box shaft and steering column shaft with set screws and lock nuts.
Image 6a, 6b, 6c:
The original front motor mounts attach to the front of the engine on each side of the harmonic balancer. The driver's side mount will be replaced with a combination left front motor mount and steering mounting bracket. This bracket can also be used as the steering bracket only if the engine is side mounted. Using an engine hoist or floor jack under the oil, slightly raise the engine to take the load off the front engine mounts.
Image 7a, 7b:
Remove the stock left front motor mount and replace it with bracket PIN 57-140863-1. The new bracket is held to the engine block with the supplied grade-5 bolts and lock washers.
Image 8:
With the bracket in place, lower the engine down and install the new upper rubber cushion, washer, and nut.
Image 9a, 9b:
There are two studs on the back of the steering PIN 57-140864-1. The lower stud keys into the rear slot on the steering bracket. On the front, there are four 3/8" holes. The lower hole is used to attach to the steering bracket.
Image 10a, 10b:
Place the into the steering bracket. The rear stud is secured to the bracket with a supplied flat washer, lock washer, and nut. The front of the is held to the bracket with a supplied 3/4" long bolt and lock washer.
Image 11a, 11b, 11c:
The adjusting arm PIN 53-29 connects to the upper stud on the back of the and to the upper water bolt on the driver's side of the engine. At the stud on the rear of the, a supplied flat washer, lock washer, and nut are used. At the water, the stock water bolt can be used.
Image 12:
The bolt-on crankshaft PIN 53-34 will drive the steering. If the engine has the stock harmonic balancer with the riveted-on, it will need to be updated with a that accepts bolt-on. PIN 57-132125-1 is a 6-1/8" diameter harmonic balancer that will accept bolt-on.
Image 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e:
The crankshaft for the steering PIN 57-140871-1 is the third groove for the crankshaft. This is made to fit inside a single or double groove. The double groove PIN 57-138170-1 has two collars that will key into the single groove PIN 53-34. With the keyed together, they can be bolted to the harmonic balancer.
Image 14a, 14b:
The steering is held to the with a locking nut. There is a key on the shaft that locks the to the shaft. Install the steering PIN 53-30 onto the shaft and torque the nut to 45 ft-lbs.
Image 15a, 15b:
Next, install the steering belt PIN 41-10. The will lean inward, leaving enough clearance between the reservoir and the upper control arm stud.
Image 16a, 16b:
The Delphi box uses O-ring fittings. This type of fitting does not require any sealer on the threads. Just a small amount of oil is needed when attaching the hoses to the steering box.
Image 17a, 17b:
The hose PIN 53-51 has an 18 millimeter male O-ring fitting on one end and a 3/8" flare nut on the other end. The male end of the hose connects to the larger fitting on the steering box. The flare nut connects to the male fitting on the back of the steering.
Image 18:
The return hose PIN 53-50 has a 16 millimeter male O-ring fitting on one end and is straight-cut hose at the other end. The male end of the hose connects to the smaller fitting on the steering box. The hose end connects to the barbed nipple on the back of the using a small hose clamp.
Enjoy your new steering box!