During the past couple of weeks I've been preparing the steering
components for re-installation, including a late RB style steering box,
to replace the worm drive style as original on my '68.
In the past, various listers had suggested that A) there were no issues
with interchanging idler boxes (or arms) between late and early cars, as
long as the 1/8" spacer is installed at the idler when using the newer
RB steering box or B) the idler and steering boxes were 'matched' and so
one had to use the correct combination to be assured of good results, or
C) the frames themselves are different on the different cars....
As far as I can tell, the idler boxes themselves are the same, but the
idler arms are NOT (early '68 vs. '69 in my case).....the *horizontal*
distance between the main shaft hole and the cross link hole on the
forward facing portion of the arm, is about 1/2" farther out on the '69
idler arm. The horizontal distance between the main shaft and the
tie-rod holes seem to be the same.
Anyone else come across this? I'm pretty sure that the '69 components
are untouched originals, but I can't say the same for the '68
components, as they were subjected to a pseudo-restoration at one point
(before I bought the car)...
Ideas? If the idler arms are different, then the steering box arm has
to be different in the same way, in order to maintain steering geometry
through the range of motion. I did not take the steering box apart, as
it was tight and leak free, so I have not done the same comparison
between the RB and Worm box arms.
I'll bring both idler arms to Watkins Glen, to take advantage of the
knowledge and experience congregating there.
Pete Long
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