Rack and pinion in my ‘48 Plymouth

[Scott Knecht]

Howdy folks.  
Question for those running the Cavalier racks in their rides.  
Where can one find the coupler necessary to attach the steering shaft to the rack itself? I can’t seem to locate a replacement and all the yards near me are bare of any 80’s- 90’s Cavaliers and their counterparts.  
The shaft out of the rack is a 5/8” double d with a recess for a pinch bolt.  I can find no one who makes a 5/8” u-joint that isn’t splined. 

[Sniper]

Rock auto lists two OEM style options  that may be useful.

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,1996,cavalier,2.4l+l4,1038293,steering,steering+shaft,11373

[kencombs]

4 hours ago, Scott Knecht said:

Howdy folks.  
Question for those running the Cavalier racks in their rides.  
Where can one find the coupler necessary to attach the steering shaft to the rack itself? I can’t seem to locate a replacement and all the yards near me are bare of any 80’s- 90’s Cavaliers and their counterparts.  
The shaft out of the rack is a 5/8” double d with a recess for a pinch bolt.  I can find no one who makes a 5/8” u-joint that isn’t splined. 

Look here:

https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/home.php?cat=2&page=1

[Scott Knecht]

Thanks guys! 
I discovered the factory replacement should work available on Rock Auto.  It was for a 96 and my rack is a 94 unit.  I believe the difference was because of body style and not the attachment point so fingers crossed when it shows up.  

[Sniper]

Good luck and let us know

[Scott Knecht]

Happy to report the ‘96 Cavalier steering shaft from Rock Auto fits right on the ‘94 and older rack.  It utilizes a 3/4” double D shaft from the other side of u-joint to the second u-joint which also uses a double D on the steering shaft side.  Should be pretty easy to adapt.  Even if I only need the lower u-joint and go from there.  I’ll add some photos when I get to the actual installation. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Sniper]

Thanks for the follow up on that.  Some of us may follow in your foot step (hint pictures and a write up of the install, lol)

[Scott Knecht]

Will do.  It will be a while yet.  Still getting the engine and trans situated.  Ordered a swap pan for the LS because the truck pan is too deep.  Once that’s in place I’ll start mocking up steering mounts.  

[Bob Riding]

Good deal. I am also installing a Cavalier rack into a '52 Suburban and will follow your thread with interest! What type of mounts are you using to attach the rack to your frame?

[Scott Knecht]

Using the Cavalier rubber isolators and I will be fabricating clamps and mounts once I figure out the geometry.  
Not sure what I’m in for.  Lol

[Bob Riding]

2 hours ago, Scott Knecht said:

Using the Cavalier rubber isolators and I will be fabricating clamps and mounts once I figure out the geometry.  
Not sure what I’m in for.  Lol

Found these pictures on the web. They are dated from 2014. Maybe somebody on the Forum? Look at the mounts- they look hand fabricated. I wonder if Fatman has mounts that would work?

[Scott Knecht]

I do remember seeing these somewhere.  That’s kind of what I had in mind.  

 

[Scott Knecht]

I’ve been in touch with Fatman Fabrications.   They do offer a kit expressly for the ‘46-‘48 Plymouth and counterparts.  
it includes the fabricated mounts to utilize the center steer rack from ‘82-‘94 Cavaliers.  It also includes tie rod sleeves to adapt the Cavalier inner rods to ‘04-‘05 Ford Explorer outer tie rod ends (purchased separately) which supposedly fit the Mopar steering arms. And of course it includes the u-joint necessary to attach the rack to the steering shaft, which I just frantically purchased from Rock Auto. (Insert sarcasm here) lol

the kit is $290 plus shipping. 
So as funds allow I may just purchase the kit to eliminate some guess work.  

[Sniper]

Rock Auto is pretty good about returns, though how much shipping will eat into the money I don't know.

[Scott Knecht]

Yeah my thoughts too.  I’ll keep it just in case

[Bob Riding]

2 hours ago, Scott Knecht said:

I’ve been in touch with Fatman Fabrications.   They do offer a kit expressly for the ‘46-‘48 Plymouth and counterparts.  
it includes the fabricated mounts to utilize the center steer rack from ‘82-‘94 Cavaliers.  It also includes tie rod sleeves to adapt the Cavalier inner rods to ‘04-‘05 Ford Explorer outer tie rod ends (purchased separately) which supposedly fit the Mopar steering arms. And of course it includes the u-joint necessary to attach the rack to the steering shaft, which I just frantically purchased from Rock Auto. (Insert sarcasm here) lol

the kit is $290 plus shipping. 
So as funds allow I may just purchase the kit to eliminate some guess work.  

Great info. I will contact them. Maybe they will have stuff that will fit a "52.

[Bob Riding]

I just got verification that my rack is from a 1992 Olds Achieva. They said it cross references to a Cavalier rack. It looks the same, but no one has ever mentioned any other marques as substitutes. Anyone use any other GM racks besides Cavalier?

[Scott Knecht]

I believe the Cavalier was a J-body designation.  So all the J-body vehicles should be the same.  

[Bob Riding]

Here is my Olds rack. Does it look like the Cavalier? I assume the equal length arms are what we need for our Plymouths.

[Frank Gooz]

I am interested in this up grade. There must be more to this subject I am not seeing. The pictures look like the rack will be in my oil pan as I am keeping the flat six.

Please tell me were to read more.

Thankyou

[Scott Knecht]

3 hours ago, Bob Riding said:

Here is my Olds rack. Does it look like the Cavalier? I assume the equal length arms are what we need for our Plymouths.

That’s exactly it Bob

[Scott Knecht]

I’m new to this all too Frank.  
I thought the same that it might interfere with the oil pan but I guess we’ll see.  I’m going to be using an LS swap pan on my 6.0 conversion for ground clearance.  So if I get to the rack by then I’ll let you know where it is in relation to the crank shaft centerline if that helps.  

[Bob Riding]

My 360 is apparently from a 1977 Dodge van. It has a rear oil sump. I was told the car 360's usually had a front sump.

[Scott Knecht]

Hmmm not really sure.  I’m an old school GM guy. Lol.  
I’m learning as I go on this old 
Mopar.  I had the LS laying around otherwise I’d probably be sourcing out a 360 or 440 myself.  

[Andydodge]

The Cavalier rack as mentioned was used in all the USA GM J car variations which for those of us outside of North America included the Australian Holden Camira and various UK Vauxhalls...........andyd.