1964 steering ratio adjustment

[Thomas P.]

I did a search on this, and I am still not sure of the answer.

At one time, I was told that all non-power steering cars left the factory with the steering ratio in the "standard ratio" position (rear hole in steering arm).
And, all power steering cars left the factory with the steering ratio in the "fast ratio" position (front hole in steering arm).

Is that true?

[Duke W.]

Re: 1964 steering ratio adjustment

That's correct.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: 1964 steering ratio adjustment

I did a search on this, and I am still not sure of the answer.

At one time, I was told that all non-power steering cars left the factory with the steering ratio in the "standard ratio" position (rear hole in steering arm).
And, all power steering cars left the factory with the steering ratio in the "fast ratio" position (front hole in steering arm).

Is that true?

Thomas-----

The "fast ratio" position can be used for non-power steering cars, too. However, the steering effort will be increased. It's not something that one would want to do for a street driven car but might be appropriate for certain racing usage.

[Thomas P.]

Re: 1964 steering ratio adjustment

I'm curious why someone decided to put my non-power steering car in the fast position.

When I bought my '64 coupe on 6/3/1968 it was in the fast position.
When moving slowly, like parallel parking, it takes quite a bit of effort to turn the wheel -- you don't need to lift weights to build arm muscle, steering is enough.
I simply left it there.
It would seem that someone wanted fast steering bad enough to put up with excess steering effort.
Since this is a 250 hp car, it just seems out of character for someone to do that.

[Thomas P.]

Re: 1964 steering ratio adjustment

Thomas-----

The "fast ratio" position can be used for non-power steering cars, too. However, the steering effort will be increased. It's not something that one would want to do for a street driven car but might be appropriate for certain racing usage.

That is exactly what I thought.
It never seemed appropriate for my numbers matching 250 hp car.

Over the years, I gradually realized something seemed strange.
On one hand, it is a mild engine and there is no doubt that it is the original engine and was never changed.
On the other hand, it has the steering in the fast/ high effort position and there was a metal plaque glued to the dash for the "Watkins Glen 1964 races."
So, my reasoning is the owner was a racing "wannabe" or a true racer that simply used this car to transport his family to the races and had race cars trailered to the events.
That way, he could have the best of both worlds -- drive his wife/family to the races in a Corvette that idled smoothly at traffic signals (keeping peace in the family) but gave him the fast steering he was used to on the track.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1964 steering ratio adjustment

That's correct.

Duke

There was at least one C2 non power steering application that had the tie rods in the fast/power steering holes. Does anyone remember what it is?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1964 steering ratio adjustment

That is exactly what I thought.
It never seemed appropriate for my numbers matching 250 hp car.

Over the years, I gradually realized something seemed strange.
On one hand, it is a mild engine and there is no doubt that it is the original engine and was never changed.
On the other hand, it has the steering in the fast/ high effort position and there was a metal plaque glued to the dash for the "Watkins Glen 1964 races."
So, my reasoning is the owner was a racing "wannabe" or a true racer that simply used this car to transport his family to the races and had race cars trailered to the events.
That way, he could have the best of both worlds -- drive his wife/family to the races in a Corvette that idled smoothly at traffic signals (keeping peace in the family) but gave him the fast steering he was used to on the track.

Thomas-----


You have 2 reasonable options:

1) Move the tie rod ends to the standard position;

2) Leave the tie rod ends where they are and add power steering.

What would I recommend? Number (2), for sure.