Flaming River 16:1 manual steering box?

[BIGFISH]

has anyone used the Flaming River 16:1 manual box? good or bad? it looks like a pretty good deal at $459, since firm feel wants $475 plus the $175 core charge for a reconditioned (new steer gear i believe).


linky: http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=215/category_id=63/home_id=80/mode=prod/prd215.htm

 

[Bakaruda]

Bill is a Flaming River dealer check with him on how much.

[BIGFISH]

Bill is a Flaming River dealer check with him on how much.

well to be honest, if they are a POS, price doesnt much matter turning into a corner at over a bill as much as quality. i just cant see my OLD aluminum housing being as strong as the steel one flaming river has, but if the tolerances/quality are off........i dont know   

does anyone use one? I'll message Bill and see what the skinny is.

[Jim_Lusk]

From what I understand Flaming River is pretty high quality on everything, but Bill would be the most knowledgable.

[Bill_Reilly]

It's a tough piece, honest and for true Aside from the the steel housing, it also has bearings through-out, like the heavier duty B-body boxes, instead of bronze bushings. It's the same dimensionally, weighs 14lbs, uses a small sector pitman arm, and I sell 'em for $385.

...This is one of the doo-dads I take to the shows, which also has FR's power-manual adapter on it.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Bakaruda]

Bill that is a sweet display.

[blackshire]

I have one installed.  It is standard Flaming River quality.  Worth the $ and if your thinking of spending close to the same amount on a rebuilt or other vintage box go with the Flaming River one.

[Jim_Lusk]

I know what Alan needs next.......to bad he doesn't have any money.

[64ragtop]

Two questions for those with experience:

1.  What's the stock steering ratio on a '63 Dart?

2.   How would the Flaming River 16:1 box compare in steering effort and turns, lock to lock

I'm looking at starting on my project Dart in maybe a month or so, and front suspension/steering is a top priority.

Thanks!

[BIGFISH]

Two questions for those with experience:

1.? What's the stock steering ratio on a '63 Dart?

2.? ?How would the Flaming River 16:1 box compare in steering effort and turns, lock to lock

I'm looking at starting on my project Dart in maybe a month or so, and front suspension/steering is a top priority.

Thanks!

the stocker should be 24:1 or 5.5 turns lock to lock.

the 16:1 is 3.5 turns and the steering effort goes up quite a bit in parking lots, but my wife can still park my cuda with 225/50/15 tires. well worth the added steering effort in my opinion.

Bill, i will take one as soon as i have cash in hand. thank you sir!

[Bill_Reilly]

Ok. Actually, the FR box is 4 turns exactly, so despite the advertising, I think it's more like 18:1

[BIGFISH]

Ok. Actually, the FR box is 4 turns exactly, so despite the advertising, I think it's more like 18:1

oh thats it, no way. i want my 3.5 turns.............

[65_cuda_convert]

Sorry to hijack the thread and I know I am going to get 6 answers about how I don't need PS but has is anyone driving a PS that has been rebuilt 're-valved' for more feel? How does it handle compared to the stock no-feel box?   I think someone was doing this for $275 if you send them your box, I can't find the link right now.  I already have a PS step-up and I just can't see making it harder to park.

[65_cuda_convert]

Damn it was firm feel, 299$

http://www.firmfeel.com/powerst_abe.htm

anyone running this?

[blackshire]

Ok. Actually, the FR box is 4 turns exactly, so despite the advertising, I think it's more like 18:1

I thought mine was in the neighborhood of 3.75 turns.  With my front wheels massively out of allignment I assumed that when they where straight I would be back down to 3.5.  I guess it will be going the other way.

[GT_convert.]

yes,
We bought a "Firm Feel" about 5 years ago.
It is the faster ratio power steering box with the 'improved feel'
So far so good.

[Jim_Lusk]

We home-built one (firm feel box) out of an 80s cop car box and an older small sector box. It was firmer, but maybe not as firm as we would have liked for the application (my son's 67 Barracuda autocrosser).

[BIGFISH]

We home-built one (firm feel box) out of an 80s cop car box and an older small sector box. It was firmer, but maybe not as firm as we would have liked for the application (my son's 67 Barracuda autocrosser).

i think firm feel still offers the "firm feel" shims to make a regular box into a firm feel.

[65_cuda_convert]

Thanks for the info

[cavemanmoron]

It's a tough piece, honest and for true Aside from the the steel housing, it also has bearings through-out, like the heavier duty B-body boxes, instead of bronze bushings. It's the same dimensionally, weighs 14lbs, uses a small sector pitman arm, and I sell 'em for $385.

...This is one of the doo-dads I take to the shows, which also has FR's power-manual adapter on it.

 Ok  what pitman arm does it use,
 "small sector" sounds like Klingon to me,
 Maybe I should say, What year pitman arm, will I need, If the stock 1964 Manual steering one
does not fit.

 Whatever happened to the 20:1 manual boxes, like my 69 340 Dart "quick ratio manual steering" had?
   {one of many cars I wished I had been able to keep}

  Were those actually rare?

 Thanks, Lee/cavemanmoron

[Bill_Reilly]

Your existing pitman arm is a small sector - it refers to the size of the splined output shaft on the box - there were two sizes...
http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/steeringbox.shtml