Changing out the steering section on a 1964 Comet

[corky.broughton]

I need your thoughts from owners of a 1960 thru 1964 Comet/Falcon or 1965 to 66 Comet owners: I plan to change out the steering linkage of my 1964 Comet to resemble a 1965 Comet/Falcon Steering section. I understand by doing this, my car will handle differently and drive better. My car was a 6 cylinder but now has a sbf in it. My 1964 Comet retains the 6 cylinder steering box. I mentioned this because I understand my steering box has a one inch shaft. I have purchased a center link from a manual v8 Comet/Falcon and all the parts that will need to be replaced, Center link from a manual v8 1965 Comet/Falcon, inner/outer tie rods, idler arm along with a bracket. I understand the center section link that I purchased fits a 1 1/8 shaft. Do I have to change the steering box out or can I replace the pitman arm from a 1965 Falcon Manual v8 car to get everything hooked up? I have two pitman arms, one from the 6 cylinder and one from a v8 Manual steering. I have been told and read that I need to replace the steering box due to the shaft size. I need your thoughts if this truly has to be done? I hate the thought of changing out my the steering box on my 1964 Comet when the center link appears to connect to the box by a pitman arm. Any thoughts? Corky

[poboyjo65]

I think you are set already, if you have an idler arm & bracket for 65s. your six cylinder car should have a 1'' shaft on the sector which is what you need for a 65 pitman arm which should have 1'' shaft hole. you mentioned having 2 pitmans, just measure the hole & make sure it is a 1''.
this is a good guide & should have any answers for you that you need;
http://www.cometeastcarclub.org/PDFs/St ... pgrade.pdf

you didnt say but I hope you got 65 spindles too!

[corky.broughton]

Thanks John, I was hoping you would write your thoughts about this situation. I have read the article you sent and that is one of the reasons I'm asking for assistance. According to the article I need to change out the steering box. By the way, I'm running granada brakes and calibers on the front. Keep in mind, the center link I purchased and I'm planning on using is setup for a 1 1/8 inch shaft. My second reason for asking assistance is: Can I use one of the two pitman arms I have for my current Comet? The current steering shaft in the car is setup for a 1 inch shaft but the center link I would like to use is for a 1 1/8 inch shaft. I have two pitman arms one is for a 1 inch shaft and the second one I think is setup for 1 1/8 inch shaft. The second pitman is from a 1965 Falcon Sprint, v8 manual donor car. I'm not sure if it is for a 1 1/8 inch or 1 inch. I will measure it to get the correct dimensions. Thanks again for your thoughts. I hope to see your car at the Comet Gathering this year. It really looks good in the picture. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Corky

[poboyjo65]

Corky re read the article,you are missing something! if you have a v8 born 64 car it is the bigger shaft. but since your car was born a 6cyl it should have a 1'' shaft. 64 cyl cars came with a 1'' shaft,,,, which is what all boxes were in 65, both v8 & the 6cyl. Even if someone changed your steering box & you have a 1 1/8'' steering sector shaft you can get a 67 stang pitman arm to keep from changing steering box . but what you need to do now is make sure the parts that you've acquired are 65 parts by looking at the pics in that article & comparing to your new parts.

the center link I would like to use is for a 1 1/8 inch shaft.

the center link does not connect to the shaft, it connects to the pitman arm. If the pitman arm is indeed from a 65 falcon it is a 1'' shaft but measure it to be sure or look for a part number on it. If you indeed got all 65 falcon v8 steering links/parts then you should be set since you went with the granada spindles.

Yea I gotta find or build a high geared chunk to slap in for the trip to pf. Merry Christmas to you too & a Happy new year!

[corky.broughton]

John, I ordered a 1967 pitman arm (1 1/8 inch). Not sure this will help my situation. My current steering box is one inch and my center link is for a 1 1/8 inch pitman arm. The issue is that the pitman arm will not fit properly on the 1 inch splined steering box in my car. That is the reason the article states replace the steering box. Have any ideas on what I can do to to use the 1 1/8 inch splined pitman arm on a 1 inch splined steering box? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Corky

[poboyjo65]

You said you have a 65 falcon pitman,use it .If it is a 65 falcon it is a 1 ''. send the other pitman back. Your centerlink does not attach to ANY shaft ,PERIOD!

[comethead]

Yeah Corky the center link can be used with EITHER a 1" or 1 1/8" pitman arm. The center link is not made for one or the other.
Sounds like you have the right parts. You just have to use the correct pitman.

Joe

[corky.broughton]

Thanks Joe, I ordered a 1967 mustang pitman arm just to make sure I have my bases loaded when I tear into this front end. Corky