1973 K10 : Chloe

[BoondocK5]

A couple of hydraulic fitting showed up last night. The remainder should be here today.
These are the 45 degree swivels that mount on the steering ram.

 

[BoondocK5]

It’s really too bad that these can’t be had
“Made in America”
We used to be the “Go-To” for everything. Now, that’s China…

 

[BoondocK5]

I cut out the beginnings of the orbital valve mount. I’m waiting on a jeep Cherokee steering shaft. Won’t be here till next week. Damn things are hard to find around here as all the DIY yards are so picked over, there is just nothing left.
So, I hit up Eghey. The Chinese made one $40 shipped.
I’ll melt the plastic out of the center when it shows up next week.
3/8ths plate vs. harbor freight 4.5” grinder…

 

[BoondocK5]

I love Eghay sometimes.
This wasn’t supposed to show up until Friday next week.
New Jeep Cherokee steering shaft. Well, the Chinese knock off.
Whatever, it was cheap, quick delivery.

 

[BoondocK5]

After the jeep steering shaft debacle I was hesitant to do it again.
I started searching around found stainless steel 3/4”DD shaft and a matching DD outer tube, both 36” length.
Did a bit of investigating, found out the bottom shaft of the steering column on the 73 is 1” x 48 spline with flat on one side and the end I need for the orbital valve is 11/16 x 36 spline with flat on one side, I ordered up those Ujoints with the correct spline counts on one end and the DD 3/4 on the other, for one, then the other was the DD outer tube end.

Here it is assembled. I’m going to weld the ends on, then shorten the length up for about 6” inches of collapse length.

 

[BoondocK5]

I welded up the bracket that the Orbital valve bolts to, in place of the ratty old steering gearbox. Then painted it and installed it with the Orbital valve. The shaft between the column and the Orbital valve is complete, Tomorrow, I’ll get the shaft attached.

 

[BoondocK5]

Had a Shit day at work. Hate my Fawking coworkers!
Tried to make myself feel better by working on Chloe.
I got the lower steering shaft installed on the truck. Steering column on the upper end and on the orbital valve on the lower end.
I’ll center the wheel when I get the hydraulic hoses on, so I can be sure the valve is in the center.

 

[BoondocK5]

Place holder for steering hydraulic hose installation.

 

[BoondocK5]

Just call me stubby!
Had to “make a wrench” to get these rotten hydraulic fittings tightened on the orbital valve.


For size comparison…

 

[BoondocK5]

I got the hydraulic steering hoses all mated to the orbital valve, plus the LH/RH hoses attached at the ram. Waiting on two 90 degree -6 a male/female fittings to attach the hoses to the pressure and return sides of the pump.
It’s crazy how much these hoses fight to not get installed. It was wrestle-mania WWE to get them to the point I did.
I’ll still need to make some chaffe protection around the frame edges and a heat shield near the headers. But, their in!

 

[imiceman44]

Just call me stubby!
Had to “make a wrench” to get these rotten hydraulic fittings tightened on the orbital valve.

View attachment 532348
For size comparison…

View attachment 532349

That short, does it still work?
I would have used a crows foot instead.

 

[BoondocK5]

That short, does it still work?
I would have used a crows foot instead.

Yep, still works, I use a small pry bar in the open end to pry it around. The fittings I’m tightening are ORB fittings, meaning the O-ring seals against the base of the fitting.
It doesn’t take much. 1/4 turn maybe. I have an entire drawer of homemade wrenches specialty socket-wrenches.
This is one I’ve probably needed a few time, just never got around to making.
I got tired of sharp inner fender cutting my hands up.