1968 Polara Steering Gearbox

[GMPolara]

Hi! I'm having a gearbox dilemma . I just bought a new/rebuilt gearbox. I'm having a hard time deciding whether I want to return it, or install it. This is the second one that I've bought trying to replace it. So my tolerance for BS is a little worn down. The new gear box has similar geometry but it's not the same. It appears to fit. But I can't seem to get over the fact that that look so different. Here's pics of them (the glossy shiny one is the new one). Any help would be appreciated.

 

[65Port]

At this point, I would say let's get part numbers from the one you are replacing and the new one. Just as important, what year make and model are we dealing with here?

 

[GMPolara]

Old = stamped#
New = scribed on part
1968 Dodge Polara 4dr 383

 

[CBODY67]

The casting number means nothing as to your vehicle, other than it was on it. The casting number DOES relate to the mounting pads/holes and such, though.

It does not specify what's inside that housing, which means the effort level of the internal torsion bar, or the other things which were pretty much standardized among the carlines and engine models. The particular Chrysler part number in the parts book is what you are seeking to "cross-over" into the aftermarket replacement steering gear ("chuck", as Chrysler terms it).

This could well be one of those situations where that as long as the input side, fluid connections, and output side match the OEM item, with the correct mounting orientations, it should work fine? Your source of the shiny gear assy? Just curious.

Take care,
CBODY67

 

[GMPolara]

RockAuto. I've learned to take the good with the bad when buying from them. But admittedly, there's been a heck of a lot of bad lately.

 

[65Port]

I searched that number high and low and even changed the 5 to an 8 to see if the results would be different. No luck. The new box def looks a mopar PS unit as I looked up units from the same year from GM and Ford... totally different. I also searched Lares, Cardone and BBB.

The closest match I could get was to Cardone 276542 and Cardone 976542GB which was used on various 60s/70s B, E and C body (Imperial too).. If you look at the 976542GB on rockauto, you'll see it comes with an adapter for hose fitment..

All that said, perhaps if it lines up and the splines are correct, give it a go? Did you try fitting it to see? What part number did you receive (per the receipt)?

That's all I got.. good luck

 

[GMPolara]

Thanks for the look up @65Port ! Sounds like a distant match.

 

[CBODY67]

RockAuto. I've learned to take the good with the bad when buying from them. But admittedly, there's been a heck of a lot of bad lately.

You might have bought it from RockAuto, but whose name was on the box it came in? Part number on the box? Not the "outer box" the main box was packaged in, but the box the item actually came out of?

 

[GMPolara]

 

[GMPolara]

Just installed it tonight. It fit fine. Less the fluid line orientation, it fit like a glove.