My 1973 Project Thread

[rustydagger]

I don't think anywhere in Mcalester will bore it, I'd have to go to Tulsa (90 minutes away) what would that run price wise?

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[dodge dude94]

I have no idea.
Never looked into it as I already have the basis for a 400 stroker.
You'd just have to call it in.

Check this place out too for parts:

http://440source.com/

 

[rustydagger]

steering shaft your 73 is different is different than your 89. i think you would have to swap steering column and steering box to use the other type of steering shaft. you can make the newer denso alternators bolt in. i don't think small block brackets would work on a big block but you could try them.

The steering shaft is definitely different. But the steering box appears the same. I want the other steering box because the 73's is wore out. I have no idea how the brackets work... I guess I would have to crawl under and check it out.

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[crazzywolfie]

the steering box may look the same but i don't think they are the same. i am pretty sure the splines on the input shaft are different which is why the steering boxes on the older trucks have a different part number than the newer trucks. now i do think your 89 might have a steering brace that you might want to transfer to your 73.

 

[rustydagger]

Thanks man! Can I get a new one or a rebuild kit or something? The 89 has the brace(if it didn't bend during the wreck) I'll definately go look at it. my main concern with taking it on the highway the right now is the steering. Anything above 40 is hard to keep between the lines. And even 40 is a workout lol

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[rustydagger]

I found a remanufactured power steering gear "cardone 27-7501" for 170$ seems like a good deal.

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[crazzywolfie]

i would try adjusting your current steering box first. i know a small bit of adjustment can make a lot of difference. you may also want to try jacking up the front tires 1 at a time and checking the tie rods/ball joints. really anything in the front end could be loose.

even if the brace on your 89 was bent i would just unbend it and make it work. any brace is better than no brace on a older truck that is without it.

 

[dodge dude94]

If you're having problems with it tracking, you've got other issues besides the steering box.

My box is sloppy, but it tracks fine. My Ram on the other hand, has a box with much less slop, and it wanders.

So you might be looking at tire wear and alignment issues instead of JUST the box.

 

[rustydagger]

The tires seem to be worn evenly. But then again the two front ones look fairly new.

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[dodge dude94]

How's the camber and toe?

 

[rustydagger]

Toes in seems fine. Normally alignments are the only thing I pay someone else to do. Especially on something I want to drive on the highway. I'll have to get it to tow. Sometime. I'll check the ball joints and tie rod ends Saturday.

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[rustydagger]

Toes in seems fine. Normally alignments are the only thing I pay someone else to do. Especially on something I want to drive on the highway. I'll have to get it into town sometime. I'll check the ball joints and tie rod ends Saturday.

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[rustydagger]

Well I tested the battery after disconnecting it and charging it. The battery is fine. Alternator is working right. I think the starter dragging is related to running it dead.

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[dodge dude94]

Might need to pull it off and tear it apart to see what's hanging.

 

[rustydagger]

Pulled this relay loose and cleaned the posts and sanded the copper down and it fired right up. Still drags some but at least it still works. Starter rebuild is on my list of to do's....

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[dodge dude94]

That's the starter relay.

You also made sure the connections were good and clean on the starter side as well, right?

 

[crazzywolfie]

you should do the amp gauge bypass under the hood. your battery may not be getting as much power as it needs to recharge. you may also want to clean the ground connection at the engine block. most common place to run into issues. now if you are going to replace the starter you should hit the junkyard for a starter out of 91-98 ram truck or van with a 3.9/5.2/5.9 gas engine. any of those should bolt in and work just fine plus are easier to re-install since they are not so heavy.

 

[rustydagger]

The amp gauge was already bypassed. I have a few starters laying around that are similar and I believe will work. The one off of my 89, appears the same minus the layout of the terminals. I also have 3 or 4 other various starters from 70's and 80's trucks that work. I just need to pull it off and compare them. If I get a new one I'll look into a new one. The ground connection at the engine block appears to have been completely replaced recently. New terminals and new cable.

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[rustydagger]

I got the floor tore apart today to check out the rusting.

Front floorboards have been nicely replaced by someone else.

 

[rustydagger]

After several hours of sanding with 5 inch sandpaper disk on a grinder. I vacuumed it out. Rubbed some Acetone on it. And slapped on a coat of primer. (That's a small propane heater. It's 28 and dropping for the night)