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Adding a CPP500 P/S Kit w/questions

573 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  56ls408, 
Dualfours
First off I have to admit I am not doing this install, having a good mechanic friend of mine doing the actual install. At 74 years young, bad back and knees, I just don't seem to be as limber as I used to be, hate that but it's a fact. Car is a 57 2dr sedan and at his house about 30 miles from me so cannot run out to look for quick reference.

Bought the CPP500 kit for front engine mounts and all the related and necessary pulleys, P/S front engine mount bracket and so on. The original steering gear box is out as is the column. Am running a Muncie M-21 with a Mr. Gasket bench seat shift and bench seat. Car was originally a IL6 with the original 3OTT standard column. I understand that the column will need to be shortened which in itself is not a big problem for my mechanic friend. Part of the problem is the steering shaft that is attached to the original steering gear box? Don't believe it to be easily removed from the gear box and the steering shaft needs to be mated to a rag joint and then to the gear box. Looking on the web I find a new Borgeson #99008 steering shaft which measures at 31 3/4'' and is a splined 3/4'' shaft. Is that the way to go along with a double ended 3/4'' splined rag joint? That particular rag joint seems to be a #53-102 part number. Looks as if I have already bought a few parts from CPP that will not be used but again, such is life. Should add that my 57 has a 64 Chevelle 283 and old school Appliance SBC headers.

I purchased along with the CPP500 kit a rag joint that is a double D at one end and splined at the other end. Would not be the first time I bought parts that did not fit or work for my application, LOL. Again, such is life when you dive in for a project being somewhat not totally familiar with the situation.

Would very much appreciate hearing from knowledgeable members who have a similar setup as to what steering shaft and rag joint will get us to a smooth and working installed P/S set up. Thanks to all who respond
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R
Most would cut the shaft off the original steering box and use it, shortened as needed. Two flats would be machined on the end to mate with the double D rag joint CPP rag joint you have.
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Dualfours
Rick, thanks for the reply. My mechanic friend and I had discussed that by cuttting the original shaft from the gear box and then milling/grinding the end to the Double D configuration. First off thought was to dismiss that since that will ruin a perfectly tight and operational original steering gear box. Doing so would allow me to use the rag joint as purchased. Just hate the thought of ruining good useable 60 plus year old parts. It may come to that tho.
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68Dart
I would use the stock style column that CPP sells to match the 500 box. Not their cheap tilt chinesium garbage that I bought.
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Shadetree55
Dualfours said:
Rick, thanks for the reply. My mechanic friend and I had discussed that by cuttting the original shaft from the gear box and then milling/grinding the end to the Double D configuration. First off thought was to dismiss that since that will ruin a perfectly tight and operational original steering gear box. Doing so would allow me to use the rag joint as purchased. Just hate the thought of ruining good useable 60 plus year old parts. It may come to that tho.
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maybe find a used worn JUNK box fairly cheap and cut that shaft???
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Dualfours
Now that is an obvious idea that I had not considered. LOL. Overlooking the obvious is more common than common sense now days for sure. Would think just about any GM steering shaft with the proper needed length should work. Think all GM steering shafts are splined alike up until the air bag generation of columns.
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Jalapeno
CPP sells that aforementioned OEM style column that is shortened and it is a nice product. It comes completely assembled with inner shift tube and spring, detent, correct rag joint, etc., as well as the shorter shaft you need. Order part number 57OSC-K-RA.

This will save your mechanic time and save you money. I recommend it highly.
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Dualfours
Jalapeno, thanks for the reply and reference to the column. I looked on the CPP website and did not find a " 57OSC-K-RA " listing? Since I am running a floor shifted 4 speed would it still have the internals for the 3 OTT shifting and the shift stick bump on the collar?
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56ls408
I don't know if the CPP number has changed but I found these two listings one from Woody's the other from Summit ( my choice) with slightly different numbers.These are not complete columns but shortened column kits that save having to cut weld & machine the originals they are for a automatic which doesn't matter with your 4 speed.You can either grind off & fill the lug on the shift bowl or buy one that already has it removed.I don't know if the one Jalapeno listed is different but he definitely is a great source of information in all things 55-57 steering.This is how I did my 56 & also a 57 convertible when installing the 500 box.Summit#CLP-57osc-ak-ns $249.99 with free shipping Woody's CPP-57OSC-K $336.95 comes without the neutral safety switch which you don't need anyway big difference

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Jalapeno
I guess CPP quite offering their column kits with a rag joint. If you delete the -RA at the end of the part number (-RA = rag joint) you get the column kit https://www.classicperform.com/Instructions/PDF/57SC-K.pdf .

Notice that you use your existing shift collar and turn signal parts with the new column. You can lop off the shift tab at the bottom of the column since you won't be using it.
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56ls408
I didn't catch the rag joint isn't included it was when I did the two cars I've done.
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Dualfours
Looked on the Summit website and the CLP-57OSC-AK-NS column is listed at $249.99 and free shipping but has a ship date of June 27th. That is not a lot of help there with that long of a lead time for shipment. Think will need to have a sit down with my mechanic friend and do some cussing and discussing.
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Pops @ Tri-5.com
You can buy the shaft separately here: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...2CNIdZmLxyArrwJ-LYrq0rxYEY6McbekaAsEnEALw_wcB

However, both ends are splined
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Dualfours
Talked with my mechanic friend and we've decided to cut the stock steering shaft from the original manual steering gear box and use the double DD rag joint I purchased from CPP. At some point looking at post after post, Google searches and such I seen reference to a " bushing" used at the bottom of the shortened and modified column tube to help keep the steering shaft centered in the column tube? Now that we have decided to proceed with cutting and adapting the column I can not find reference to that again. Seems I recall it was in the range of $20 plus shipping but don't remember just where I seen that part listing. Bad move on my part I know but hope someone with prior experience with this bushing number and where it can be sourced can assist me in finding it again.
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56ls408
You need a lower column mount as you can't use the original clamp that is on the engine side of the firewall you can use a mount like the two below which mounts on the inside of the firewall. Don't know if you have to replace the lower column bearing but the way you are planning this might work third photo.Good luck I'd still go with the shortened column kit way less work.But others have done it themself too.

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Dualfours
I do have the CPP inside lower firewall column mount which I purchased just as a hedge incase it was needed. Will be cutting and machining the original inner steering shaft to match the double D rag joint I bought from CPP. Told him to purchase the bearing needed to center the shaft in the column tube and what ever he has to buy I will reimburse and add some to that for his time labor and just because it's the right thing to do. Wish I could do it myself but that's not gonna' happen. Those days are in the past but really want the P/S setup so.......
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56ls408
The lower mount is needed there won't be enough of the column sticking through the firewall to use the original clamp.
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