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Easiest way to replace steering box 1970 351C

J

JBauer4363

Member
About a year ago I bought a new Flamingriver man. steerig box and havent got around to installing it yet (got cancer) but Im better now and Im wanting to exchange my old one. Havent touched my car In about a year and Im alittle foggy about how to do this.
I know the old one wont just drop out from the bottom and it wont clear the manifold and come out through the top side. What is the easiest way to do this job? Can the engine be lifted/tilted enough on that side for it to clear the manifold and the master cylinder or will I have to remove the exhaust and more to take it out through the bottom? If I remember right last time I went from the bottom side and had to remove the exhaust pipe and lots of other stuff under there to get it out and its was a pain. Anyone done this latley and have any tips to make it easier?

Thanks in advance
JBauer4363
 
I put a borgensen in a 68 with a 289 about a month ago for a buddy.

Did it on the rack at work. I was able to get it out without removing anything. Stock manifolds.

My car has a windsor with long tubes and power brakes. No way it's coming out without removing the header.

I suspect with a Cleveland you are going to have to pull the manifold. I would at least try pulling the bolt out of the left motor mount and raising that side of the engine. Don't forget to unbolt your fan shroud when you lift the motor.
 
I also think through the bottom. Do you have stock manifolds? I believe with stock you might be able to do it without removing the LH manifold. I need to go look at my 351c setup to see if this is possible.
 
OK, Looking at Shag's setup today with stock manifolds, I see a 1/2"-3/4" gap between the steering box and exhaust manifold. Assuming you would disconnect the steering box at the rag joint, you might be able to pivot the steering box towards the motor, just enough to drop it down. This is assuming you have remove the intermediate exhaust pipes.

But, my gut feeling is that you might need to remove the driver's manifold to give more room to drop the steering box.
Won't really know until you get right into it.
 
I cut mine out of my '67. Not sure about the '70's. If it has a shaft and if you aren't going to reuse the original box, pull your sawzall out and cut the shaft at the box. I used a dremel as I didn't have a sawzall but it worked....eventually. Box came out up through the top and the spear-o-matic came out in the interior. I installed a Randals Rack and it went in very easily.
 
I just yanked the box out of my '66 last weekend. It is a pain to get the spear-o-matics out. I had to drop a header, and even then it wouldn't come out past the 7 qt. Milodon pan, since it's flared out at the bottom. I ended up yanking the pan off, and it slipped right out. If I would have had a stock pan, it would have been easier.
 
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