I am considering the purchase of a 63 Avanti, but it doesn't have power steering!! Has anyone done a conversion-or can anyone tell me where I could get all the parts to convert it? I had a 63 Hawk when I was young and brave and really didn't like to park it without p/s, much preferred my dad's Avanti. As I remember, the bell cranks were different and there was a slave valve and lots of hoses. Any idea on cost--could make or break my decision to buy this one.
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The cost of the P/S parts should not be too bad since they are all Lark & Lark Type Parts, '59 to 1966 that can be found used and rebuilt.
The one issue I see is that the Manual Steering Avantis used the quicker Ratio steering Box, which is not recommended or used with Power Steering, so you may have to replace the Steering Gear with a slower one.StudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967 -
Generally, the complete conversions I've seen are in the $250 - 500 range. This includes the steering box unique to the Avanti. Like anything else, it depends on where you are, how patient you are, who has one for sale and who else is bidding against you.
They are a PITA to install with the engine in place, but it can be done as long as tender ears aren't around to hear the words of persuasion involved. FWIW, I'd add all new hoses, new rag joint, new steering column bushings and rebuilding the ram and control valve to the cost estimate. They are such a pain to replace in the car, do it while you are in there anyway. Bottom line, figure $1000 to do it correctly with everything new. Your results may vary.
jack vines
P.S. Rich,
Isn't it the other way around? The standard box is the slow one because it needs more gear ratio to compensate for lack of power assist?The one issue I see is that the Manual Steering Avantis used the quicker Ratio steering Box, which is not recommended or used with Power Steering, so you may have to replace the Steering Gear with a slower one.
jvLast edited by PackardV8; 12-07-2010, 01:38 PM.PackardV8Comment
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Yes Jack good General Wisdom would tell you that, but for some reason that does NOT apply to Avantis!!! They did that on Wagonaire and Convertible models, but not on Avanti, they were thinging PERFORMANCE Driving NOT Parking I guess!! Go figure!Originally posted by PackardV8 View PostStudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967Comment
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I have a power steering set up off of a 63 Avanti complete except for hoses. I was going to change to non power but no one I could find had one to trade. The problem, I am in Calif. Virginia is a long ways away.Comment
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I bought a complete P/S setup for the '62 Meteor I recently sold and shipping wasn't an issue for the seller. He shipped the pump, the box and the tie rods etc. separately.Originally posted by Alan View Post
ErnieRComment
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I just did this conversion to my Avanti last year. You will also need the crank driven pulley for the Avanti. A standard Lark or Hawk one can be made to fit ( the center hole has to be opened up a little to clear the R series main pulley hub). You will need a lathe or something to keep it centered.
The good thing is you dont need a spacer or longer bolt like you do on non R series engines.
Lark Pitman arms are NOT direct bolt on. Avantis have 1 area on the steering box splines to line up with the center spot on the steering box.
This is an area where there is a skiped tooth in the splines or a 'dead spot'.
Lark types have 4. You can file splines in the new pitman arm with a fine triangle jewelers file. I am not sure about Hawk pitman arms, they might be the same as they are Ross too, not Saginaw like Larks are.
Everything else is a straight foward swap.Last edited by bezhawk; 12-07-2010, 03:14 PM.Bez Auto Alchemy
573-318-8948
http://bezautoalchemy.com
"Don't believe every internet quote" Abe LincolnComment
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Here is a power steering set up on EBay
These are easy to rebuilt with parts readily available from vendors. I would NOT suggest buying new hoses but take these existing hoses to a hydraulic hose outfit to install better hoses that what have been re-manufactured by the vendors. I have found the hoses break too easy and become brittle very quickly.
Count on maybe $600 in total and hours to remove the pitman arm from the steering box (if the engine is in place)
Good luck and well worth it to do.
Allen1964 GT Hawk
PSMCDR 2014
Best time: 14.473 sec. 96.57 MPH quarter mile
PSMCDR 2013
Best time: 14.654 sec. 94.53 MPH quarter
Victoria, CanadaComment
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I also added power steeing to my R1 Avanti while I had the engine out this summer. You do not have to center the enlarged hole perfectly for the power steering crank pulley, just make sure that the hole is larger than it needs to be to clear the shoulder of the other pulley. The bolts that hold it in will center it as needed. If you look in Stan Gundry's book "What The Shop Manual Won't Tell You" he claims that one year (maybe 1961?) of the Lark or Hawk pitman arm will interchange with the Avanti's. I got my parts from a 1965 wagon in a boneyard except the pitman arm and the pump was purchased prior to that on Ebay. Taking the pitman arm off while the engine is in would take some real thought since there is no room to use a normal pitman arm puller. I kept the original manual steering box. It was well worth the cost to put the power steering in but do not be surprised if you need to rebuild the kingpins and/or the bellcrank due to wear. It was evident that this was required with power steering than when I had the manual steering.Originally posted by bezhawk View PostComment
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