Saginaw 605 steering box?

[jaybee]

Has the Saginaw 605 box been used in anything besides late rear drive GM A & G bodies ("downsized" Malibus, Monte Carlos, and related)?

[GPster]

Not all of the Metric GM products had the 605 box. Seemed like mostly the cheaper models around here had them. The better models seemed to end-up with an 800 Saginaw box. The metric framed GMs are the ticket for "Dirt Track" cars and the ones that appear with the 605 box are quickly changed because the top of the box that is snap-ringed in place flies apart with any "bumps" to the pittman arm. I found the one that's in the Jeepster in a cast off pile of a local Roundy Rounder. GPster

[jaybee]

Thanks for the input.  The 605 box has been the unit of choice for converting 55/56/57 Chevs to a more modern mode of power steering because the tri5 pittman shaft drops into the 605 box with a few modifications.  The main drawback is that the steering tends to be over assisted.  A couple of places are making boxes based on the late model GM pickup/SUV piece but custom parts are involved and they are spendy.  There don't seem to be a lot of choices that are configured similarly to the stock box, which sits on top of the frame rail with a long pitman shaft that drops down the inside of the frame.

[GPster]

I wanted the 605 box for the Jeepster because it is smaller in diameter in the front (opposite the steering column end) than the 800 box and fit the frame/mount configuration of my frame better than the 800 boxes. We recently had a discussion here about pittman arm splines and the KING informed us that there are not that many different splines. I wouldn't be surprised if the 605 and 800 box spline count is the same. Maybe the 605 is also ideal because of the size (like it was for me) or maybe someone just happened on it and promoted it just because it happened and he didn't look any further. I tend to talk too much but I would suggest you open up your question to "Power steering for a tri-5". There is a FWD rear-steer Rack that has had seen some use on these types of conversions but it might leave you with a larger turning radius. My analisis of your situation is with the short distance between the pittman arm sweep and the column shaft on the 605 box using it will make it harder to get from the steering column to the box. Might take 2 universal joints and an intermediate shaft (which would be tight between a rear-steer box and the firewall) or dropping the firewall end of the column down (which might  make it hard getting your feet from one pedal to the other). Those new design boxes put the column further away from the pittman arm (to mimic stock) to eliminate those short commings of a 605 installation. There was a kit that put an externally mounted spline extension on some steering box (605?) but I'd spend some time looking at older Ford truck power steering boxes for a box with some height. GPster

[Canuck]

Maybe this is of some help !

GM Box Interchange

A  list of direct bolt-on boxes and some that need modifications.   (Note this list refers to Saginaw 605 Power boxes but would probably apply to manual as well.  

Interchange #706

Buick Special 64-70      Camaro 67-74          Chevelle 64-70
Chevy 65-70              Firebird 67-73        Grand Prix 69-70
Monte Carlo 70           Monza 75-79, 8cyl     Monza 78-80,6cyl
Nova 68-70               Olds 64-70            F-85 64-70
Pontiac 64-70            Skyhawk 75-80         Starfire 75
Starfire 76-80, 6 cyl    Starfire 77-79, 8cyl  Sunbird 76-80
Tempest 64-70

Fast Ratio Box: 20/1  # 7806396  Cast No. 5679142
Monza/Vega Box: 16/1  # 7819935

On some 64-70 the drag link hole on the pitman arm may need to be enlarged.

The following boxes will fit but may need to have the pitman arm and/or the rag joint changed or and extra bolt hole boss taked off the steering box. Make sure you compare the input shaft length or the length from the bolt holes to the end of the input shaft to your power box.

Interchange #999

Apollo  73-75        Omega 73-79
Chevelle 71-77       Skylark 75-79
Monte Carlo 71       Regal 73-74
F-85 71-72           Nova 71-79
Lemans 72-77         Cutlass 76
Ventura 71-77        Phoenix 77-79
Century 73-74        Tempest 71
GMC Sprint 71-77
Cutlass 73

Interchange #989

AMC Ambassador 70-2
AMC 77-80
AMC Spirit 79-83
AMC Hornet 70-77
AMC Concord 78-83
AMC Matador 71-76
AMC Gremlin 70-78

Interchange #1034

Jeepster 72
Jeep 73-83
Jeep CJ & DJ 72
Jeep CJ 84-86

List was derived from Hollander Interchange Manual


Fast ratio Power Steering- Saginaw 605

Use box from 1977-81 Camaro/Firebird with disc brakes (or any 800 series box used in Novas, full size GM, etc), gives approx 3 turns lock to lock, versus original power steering 4.5 turns.

All later model boxes require the 1964 - 72 Chevelle pitman PS arm (required change) when used on earlier Chevelles.

Steering shaft comes in two diameters, get the appropriate flex coupling lower half in the same style as original to match the boxes shaft.

1982 or 86 to 92 Comaro Z-28/firebird Trans-AM are 2 turns (12:1) lock to lock, Use original end cap to get the right stops on 2 turn boxes to decrease turning radius.

Later model boxes (1980 and up) use "O" rings instead of flared input and output lines.
 
Later model internals can be swapped into early boxes to eliminate problems with line fittings and stops or pump can be modified by changing outlet valve (this requires verification) or swapped to accept "O" ring hosed.  


If you are looking at a conversion for a 3x5, I have some dat aon that as well, let me know.

[jaybee]

Thanks, that's great information!