1963 steering gearbox leaking.

[misty]

I have a 1963 TBird with a leaking gear box. spent a good part of the summer trying to source a good rebuilt one. I won,t go into my tale of woh but its been frustrating. So now i have 2 leaking gearboxes of the correct type, they cannot be resealed and put under pressure due to the fact that both the original and the replacement have corroded cases(housings). I am looking for a RELIABLE place to send one too that will fix the case and rebuild the box , pressure test it before sending it back to me. Can any of you guys help??

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[Gary Tayman]

First off, where did you get this one from? Assuming it's from a catalog parts dealer, which actually shouldn't be at fault. These guys are order-processors. They get cores, send them to a place that rebuilds them, and keeps a stock of rebuilt units on the shelf for those who place orders.

What you should try to find out is who REBUILDS them. Somewhere in this world is a shop, I'm sure more than one, that spends their days rebuilding steering units. Their customers are catalog stores, auto parts stores, and in many cases, individual buyers. If you can find one of these shops, give them a call or visit and talk to the fellow who actually has his hands inside, cleaning it up and installing the new gaskets.

Case in point: I had a problem with my 1964 power brake booster. The shop manual details how to rebuild it, but good luck -- you can't find the parts. I did, out of used boosters. It worked for years, until one day the master cylinder began leaking. Next step, replace both with a rebuilt cylinder/booster assembly. Fixed the issue at hand, but I hated the feel of the brakes. Yet another, and another, booster didn't help. Out of frustration I began searching the internet for "brake booster rebuild" shops. Found one in Ft. Lauderdale, which took mine and nit-picked it over to ensure it's perfect. This story is more complicated -- had other issues as well, but today the brakes are great, and this fellow's assistance went a long way toward getting me there.

If you can find a shop that rebuilds these steering units, talk to them first and let them know about your problem. Maybe they can take your boxes in trade for a good one, or rebuild one of them with some case parts off the shelf, or whatever. If the same case is bad on both, maybe good cases are in short supply and there's a workaround -- or they can find a good case for a higher price, but at least they can fix it. You'll save money two ways -- first, no dealer markup. second, whatever the cost or requirement, your specific problem will be addressed personally.

 

[misty]

I know where your coming from, I am looking here to see if anyone knows a good place to send it. I got the replacement from a supplier we all use and like its not really their fault. I am looking for a place to send it that will do it right. Actually I am looking for someone like you. You did my radio a couple of years ago and I am very happy with your work. I know there is someone out there who can help me, just have to find Him or Her.I have all winter, I am snowbirding not far from you in Englewood, This is my winter project🙂

 

[Gary Tayman]

Englewood is far too close, to not stop by and say hello sometime!

Car show tonight at Hooters in Gulf Gate. You're probably going to Dearborn Street in Englewood, if so tell Tommy I said hello. It looks like I'll be limiting the shows I'm taking the Bird to, as it's leaking anti-freeze STILL. I might go to Muscle Car City in two weeks, most likely without the Bird. I WILL take it to the big Devoreaux-Kaiser car show January 27th; it is at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, and I live right down the street, but aside from that I might be forced to park the car for awhile. Possibly I'll see you at a show sometime -- even if I take my "Daily."