By Jim Pickering and Jay Harden
ACC practices what it preaches when it comes to driving our old cars. But the one thing that really leaves a lot to be desired, especially in cars from the 1960s, is steering effort — or in the sheer number of turns it takes from left lock to right lock.
A lot of factory steering boxes had four or more turns built into them. That might have been fine in the days of bias-ply rubber when more leverage was needed, but it isn’t ideal on today’s roads and with modern tires, especially if you intend to drive in modern traffic. But the fix here is really simple: install an upgraded steering box and lose one full turn — or more — in your steering from right to left.
Original Parts Group had just what ACC Contributor Jay Harden and I needed to turn up the turning abilities of his big-block 1969 Chevelle. It’s a simple, easily reversible bolt-in job that completely transforms how a muscle car reacts to steering input — and it hides, blending in as a stock box even in an original, restored car. Here’s how we did it.