The Cletus-Vette: Now with manual steering

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44) 12/07/2016 at 11:36 • Filed to: cletus-vette

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Photo by Stanislav Nachev

Every single part of the bodged power-steering setup on my 1970 Corvette leaked. I could have replaced all the parts but I chose to spend an evening removing the power steering and converting my car to a fully manual rack. And here’s why .

Reason #1 is cost. Every single part of the system on my car was failing. The pump leaked, the hoses leaked, the ram leaked, and the actuator had bad valves in it. Replacing all this with new parts would be over $600 and that’s $600 I could spend on other things for this car.

The next reason is weight! Despite would some people think, the Corvette is a porky bugger in 1970 sports-car terms. My small-block manual-transmission coupe was the lightest version available and it still weighs in at about 3,200 pounds. For reference, a 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 weighs about 2,800 and Alex’s Datsun weighs about 2,100 pounds. Removing the system saved me 20-30 pounds of weight right off the nose of the car.

It also nets me more power! Those old GM power steering pumps take about 4-horsepower to turn and those losses are especially pronounced at high RPM where I spend a lot of my driving.

Downsides? Well it’s now a total bitch to park and any low-speed turn requires plenty of effort. But the steering is tighter and more direct than it’s ever been and the car is marginally lighter too! I’ll find out next season if I hate it but for now, I’m staying with a fully manual set up.

shop-teacher > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 11:38

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Over inflate those front tires a bit, that’ll help :)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 11:39

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When moving, you can’t beat a manual rack. The feedback it gives is tremendous.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 11:42

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Next step in a manual brakes.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > shop-teacher 12/07/2016 at 11:45

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That’s actually a great idea! I’ll have to try that.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 12/07/2016 at 11:45

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Been there before. I had 4 manual drum brakes on my 1966 Impala. Not really drivable in modern highway traffic.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2016 at 11:46

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It’s so nice! Is your MR2 manual steering?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 11:46

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Sounds like you need a leg day.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 12/07/2016 at 11:48

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I have a 54-pound clutch spring in that car. Left leg is fine. Maybe time to workout the right one.

Party-vi > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 11:48

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Damn that’s a fat-ass car. My old XJ Cherokee was 3,000lb.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Party-vi 12/07/2016 at 11:53

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Yeah not light. Big heavy ladder frame and the fiberglass isn’t light either.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 11:58

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You made the right choice. My brother once had a ‘64 Impala wagon with a 454 and manual steering, that was the wrong choice. But on the Vette it makes perfect sense.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 11:58

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Yay manual everything! That’s one of the reasons I want to get myself a 126....I may have a base ‘09 Accent with no options, but I love how pure the 126 is mechanically. The only electric thing on it is the later models with electronic timing, otherwise everything is manual! :)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:00

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People were all like “well, since you’ll be installing power brakes and power steering in the Ranchero, right...”

MFW:

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:02

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Yup. The car’s way lighter (especially in the front), so it’s not as bad in parking lots, but it’s still a bit of work. I’ve wanted a faster rack since I got it, but it’s probably still faster than most manual racks at around 3:1 lock to lock. Smallish steering wheel for unassisted too.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:03

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Power brakes are being dropped from the MR2 at some point.

S65 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 12/07/2016 at 12:04

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RANCHERO??

Send pics

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/07/2016 at 12:04

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It’s all about ratio. With a slow ratio, anything can have manual steering. Its fast ratio and manual steering that causes issues

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:06

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Totally, you’ve got no mechanical leverage with the fast ratio. I don’t recall the Impala having particularly fast steering, but I do recall it being an absolute pig.

Coty > Party-vi 12/07/2016 at 12:08

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2014 Focus ST: 3223 lbs :’(

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/07/2016 at 12:08

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Pics of the impala? Sounds like an awesome rig!

TheRealBicycleBuck > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:09

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My first truck didn’t have power steering. Come to think of it, none of our cars did back then.

The trick is to always be moving when trying to steer. Even a little bit of forward or backward motion makes a huge difference in steering wheel effort.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2016 at 12:09

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now that spooks me. I like vacuum assist brakes.

shop-teacher > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:09

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XJDano suggested it, after he sold me the Rally Metro which also has manual steering. I run sidewall pressure in my tires.

S65 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:11

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I thought it had manual steering before, oh well. Will you put aluminum heads on it? DCOE Carbs? Hmm, that’s about all I can come up with, for now

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:12

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On the other side of things, as the Corvette is a bit porky, had you considered a universal aftermarket electric power steering addon? They mount to your current steering rack, so the geometry, etc. are all the same as stock....it’s just the added assist for turning the wheel? :)

Stapleface > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2016 at 12:13

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My 85 CRX was manual steering too. There really is nothing better on a light car. That car went exactly where you pointed it. Parking lots were a PITA, but again, the car itself probably only weighed 1800lbs to begin with, so it’s all relative.

Party-vi > Coty 12/07/2016 at 12:18

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Good lord!!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > S65 12/07/2016 at 12:18

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I’ve made a *little* progress since last year (date of pic). Not a huge amount:

I’m using Cortina taillights and narrow ‘71/’72 Mustang bumpers.

See:

An umolested ‘63 looks like this:

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:36

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Makes me miss my old Vette. I had a 75 L82 with side pipes. I got rid of it to rebuild the engine in my Evo back in 2008. Should’ve just rolled the Evo over a cliff looking back on it.

arl > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:40

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I had a 1965 Build Wildcat back in 1987. I remember the power steering going out on that beast and having to manhandle it to the shop. I think I used both of my hands to tug on the left side of the steering wheel to guide it into the shop’s driveway.

But that old boat probably weighed 4000+ pounds. You’ll be fine as long as you’re moving. Try to stay away from any parallel parking though; that might get dicey.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? 12/07/2016 at 12:44

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Buy another one! They’re cheap.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 12/07/2016 at 12:45

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I had but that would require an updated electrical system and would add that weight right back on the front end.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > S65 12/07/2016 at 12:46

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No aluminum heads for me. Might do a tunnel ram with dual quads and ditch the hood. Not sure yet. The racer looks great!

S65 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:47

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I’d keep the hood, mainly so you can drive it more

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:49

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Car’s under 2000 lbs at the moment, so I’m not too worried about it. Pulling the brake booster will drop another thirty pounds or so and get rid of another vacuum line.

crowmolly > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:53

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You converted to a manual rack? Sweet! Which one? Steeroids?

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 12:55

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I just acquired an 85 RX7 GSL SE that I will start working on in the spring. I got it for the low low price of free from a family member who has been letting it sit for three years now. “ran when parked”

Die-Trying > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:10

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also, you can get narrower tires/wheels to make the steering easier.......

CaptDale - is secretly British > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:12

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Manual steering is the best type of steering. You are closer and closer to having a true 70's Supercar.

Half that saved money and add HP

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > crowmolly 12/07/2016 at 13:17

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Nope. I simply removed the power steering pump, ram and actuator. Every C3 had a manual steering box with an add-on type pwr steering system so they’re easy to convert.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Die-Trying 12/07/2016 at 13:18

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But less grip!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > CaptDale - is secretly British 12/07/2016 at 13:19

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If the guys piloting 427 Cobras and Ferrari Daytonas don’t need it than neither do I.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > S65 12/07/2016 at 13:19

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Yeah but tunnel ram won’t clear the hood and I won’t cut a hole in it.

Die-Trying > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:22

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sort of. you still have the same amount of weight, on a smaller patch of rubber. so the weight is concentrated......just plan ahead for sharp corners.........

crowmolly > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:27

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Oh, I thought you put a rack in it. Yanking the crude ram setup makes more sense.

How’s the rag joint? Still good?

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > crowmolly 12/07/2016 at 13:28

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Rag joint is a destroyed piece of crap! But that’ll get replaced soon too. I want my sports car to have sports car steering.

crowmolly > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:35

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Not sure if it will fit, but unbalanced engineering makes a rag joint eliminator puck. I *think* the one for an 93-97 LT1 Camaro/Firebird will be the same dimensions as yours. The rubber goes bad and the heat from the side pipes (your #1 primary runs close to the rag joint, right?) will fuck it up worse.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > crowmolly 12/07/2016 at 13:37

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That’s a good thought. I kinda like the the idea of having some kind of insulating joint there, though. It also lessens the chance of impalement in a crash which is nice.

S65 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:38

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 Id suggest a domed hood like on a Big-Block Corvette but from,the pictures ive seen even that won’t have enough clearance and anything taller would look kinda cheesy, it’s your car though

crowmolly > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:39

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Yeah, those are exactly the two drawbacks that always come up.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > S65 12/07/2016 at 13:42

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Yeah it won’t fit under a dome. It’ll end up being as tall as the windshield if I get my way.

CaptDale - is secretly British > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:43

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Not at all, but you need that double pumper and a blow through turbo or Weiand

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > CaptDale - is secretly British 12/07/2016 at 13:50

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Current carb is a nice Quadrajet. I like it.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 13:58

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I was wrong on the year, it was actually a ‘62.

Cool car though. My brother bought it off the side of the road, I actually drove past it on my way to work every day. One day when I got to work, my cousin says ‘hey, you know that awful teal Impala that was for sale on Warwick Ave? Somebody actually bought it!’ It was pretty great.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/07/2016 at 13:59

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And it’s a panel! Man, that thing is great.

arl > arl 12/07/2016 at 14:06

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Buick, not build. Darn auto correct.

S65 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 14:12

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LIKE THIS?

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > S65 12/07/2016 at 14:13

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Yeah but with no hood

Die-Trying > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 14:43

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you can get more height out of some velocity stacks.......

CaptDale - is secretly British > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 14:47

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Quadrajets aren’t bad.... hmm how to spend the $$$ that isn’t there but kinda is

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Die-Trying 12/07/2016 at 14:48

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I like the way you think

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 12/07/2016 at 22:10

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I wouldn’t have thought it would be anywhere near as heavy as the hydraulic system?