Cutlass Manual Steering

[62cutlassconvert]

I have a 62 Convertible with the original manual steering. Never driven this one or any other 61-63 F85 with manual steering and I am wondering what it is like. I have a 64 Chevelle that had a manual box (now a 12:1 AGR power box) and it was quite heavy in a tight turnaround back and fill situation at 6.5 turns lock to lock. Hoping the lighter Cutlass will be better and good on the road as I like the manual feel going up a windy road.
Can anyone enlighten me as to the manual steering performance and are there any quicker ratios available for the box-I think its either 22:1 or 24:1. I will say that little aluminum box sure looks good.

[young_olds]

i doubt there are any boxes made for them. I had a 62 with manual steering and it steered perfectly fine for me even at a stop or low speed. i daily drove a 62 nova with manual steering for a while and actually like manual so i may be biased.

[62cutlassconvert]

Thanks for the feedback. I too like the manual steering, especially vs. the old over boosted pwr boxes. I do have a local rebuilder that will freshen it up if needed. Hope the gears are tight.

[joe_padavano]

The steering box is unique to the 1961-63 cars and nothing else interchanges, so there are no aftermarket close ratio boxes. I have manual steering in my 62 wagon and other than the fact that it takes about a million turns lock-to-lock, I have no problems with it. I’ve installed an aftermarket wood steering wheel that is actually slightly larger in diameter than stock, so that helps a little, too.

[62cutlassconvert]

Thanks for the reply. I’ll just plan to keep my elbows in control. As long as the gears aren’t worn too much it should be good on the road.

Happy new year

[Author]

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