by xirter » Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:21 pm
So just a little update, been working on getting the steering to clear properly while I wait on some other parts to show up. To clear the manifold, I shortened the factory steering column 6" by disassembling the column entirely, cutting 6" off the end on a lathe and re-creating the end so that the factory shaft bearing housing could index properly in the end, as it did factory. I shortened the inner shaft by removing the plastic rivets that hold it in place, slid the shaft 6" in further, and tack welded either side in place. Reassembled like factory. Next I'll be patching the factory steering column exit hole, and cutting in a new hole lower to drop the intermediate shaft to clear the manifold. Using borgeson u-joints, their firewall mount, shaft supports, and shaft to make a new intermediate shaft. Further down the line, I'm running into an issue where the passenger side inner tie rod end (where it connects to the center link) is hitting the oil pan (PowerByAce LS swap oil pan) by roughly 3/16 of an inch. Initially I attempted to use bump steer shims to lower the center link itself, however in order to get it to clear I had to shim it to the point where the tapered end wouldn't seat in the center link. Is anyone aware of any drop/adjustable/extended idler and pitman arms to lower the center link to clear? I thought about raising the motor itself but if there we're other ways to do it, that'd be ideal. Any ideas/recommendations would be appreciated!