1968 nova ss pitman arm

[1968 nova ss]

noticed my 68 nova ss pitman arm has extreme amount of play in it . time to replace...this is an original 68 nova ss 396/350 hp car with power steering. I had purchased the car from wayne Bushey around 1998,in which wayne had bought the car from original owner..i doubt it has ever been replaced...but the numbers on pitman arm are .I think for a manual box car..numbers read 17 gmt 3935075..center to center on pitman arm is 5 and quarter inches..is this correct ..and any suggestion on a place I could purchase a new pitman arm or good used pitman arm with the correct gm numbers... thanks in advance.Chris Teed

[1968 nova ss]

ah.. I see now.. the pitman arm part number was both used for manual or power stering boxes... the only different being the length of pitman arm for fast ratio box or the short 5.25 for standard steering box operation..

[marxjunk]

are you sure?

every time ive ever done the swap fro one to the other, i have changed the pitman and the rag joint and drag link...maybe 68 is diff? weird...but my memory is fading as i get older

[John Brown]

Power steering has a larger sector shaft coming out of the steering box. No way one arm works on both power and manual.

[PeteLeathersac]

Are you planning on changing the pitman seal when arm off?
If so and you haven't swapped any before, don't poke tools in to pry it out which can cause sealing surfaces damage and later leaks.
It's been years for me but arm off also retainer clip removed but nut partially threaded back on to catch the seal, make sure fluid level's Ok then fire up car and turn wheel full one way for just a quick moment so over-pressure pops the seal out and down against the nut then quick shutdown.
And don't hold it there or delay shut down, a quick bop or two at full left or right then immediate shut down to minimize mess.
Best of luck!
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[Tommy]

Chris, I have a power steering box and pump pulled from a 68 SS 350 car and that pn# is on the pitman arm.


Tommy