63 Lemans Power Steering
 

I have been trying to rebuild the brakes, suspension and steering on the 63 I bought last spring and was able to locate most everything through Kanter and Ames. If anyone is thinking of getting the NAPA parts that they show for this car (rebuild kits, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, etc) don't, as none of them fit....

Finally got everything back together, but was unable to locate a replacement pwr. steering control valve as it is a one year / one model only valve, and mine leaks badly. NAPA shows a rebuild kit for it, but the ball stud that connects with the pitman arm is a much smaller diameter (same as on the 'vette).

I finally hooked up with Lares Corp. out of MN. and they say they can rebuild mine.... Got it removed tonight so I can ship it out to them and I thought I would share some pics of it. I know that there has been some discussion about this piece from other folks. Here are some pix of the pwr. steering control valve, pitman arm, and finally the section out of an old Mitchell crash manual that was helpful in providing part numbers, etc. Hope this is useful info.

Thomas,
You got a quote you can share with us? How about their number? I may be pulling mine out too for a rebuild.
Thanks! Gary

They quoted $183.75 to rebuild mine, including the shipping back to me. I bought a rebuilt pump as well as I am concerned that the pressure it was putting out wasn't correct. They charged $32.00 for that. Figured it was cheap insurance. They seem to be pretty easy to work with. They can be reached at 800-555-0767 or at http://www.larescorp.com/

Hope this helps. sending mine out today. They indicate the turnaround time is about a week.

I will confirm that is where mine is leaking today and pull it out next week.
Price is fair to me.
Thanks! Gary

I rebuilt mine on the 63. It was pretty easy. The hardest thing is setting the left/right bias. That centering screw is sensitive.

I installed the seals from the NAPA kit and got it together w/o leaking, but during the final adjustment, it started pissing fluid all over again (coming out between the adapter and the control valve. The other reason I am sending it out is that the ball stud in the adapter was pretty worn, and the NAPA part was way too small.

Two things come to mind that I want to warn you about. One is a MAJOR safety issue and the other concerns your new pump.

The Tempest PS set-up runs at a lower pressure than the FS Pontiac (the pressure regulator valve is located just underneath the port where the high-pressure hose connects to) at the back of the pump. Make sure that you have a Tempest pressure regulator in there or you will blow out the seals in your new rebuilt valve!!!


After one of those control Valves are all taken all the way apart you loose the "centering." When you first put it back together and start your engine, very likely the steering wheel is going to abruptly "TAKE OFF" all by itself in one direction or another!!!!!! This is like full power assist all on it's own!!! VERY, VERY DANGEROUS!!!! If you have your hands on or anywhere around the wheel or in-between one of the spokes you will get hurt!!!!!


After you start the engine you will need to "re-center" the control valve. Underneath the dust cap on one end there is a 1/4" lock-nut. Turning this nut one way or the other "centers" the valve in the neutral or straight ahead position. Very important that you do this; just stand back when you first start the engine!!!!!

Pete, Thanks for the info, I knew about the centering and I had my suspicions about the pump pressure being off since it blew my first reseal apart...

My Chiltons manual lists the pump part number for the '63 Lemans as 5691502 and the ones for the full size '63 Pontiac as 5688853, so they carry a different part number...

How do I tell if it is the correct pump and flow control valve for the Tempest/Lemans? Now you have me nervous!! :confused13:

I really don't know except the pulley for a Tempest does not look like the one for a Pontiac or other GM FS car. That is mainly what I would go by on a used pump. I try and keep track of which parts came off of which cars or by the pulley.

The flow control (pressure valve) is a part that you can remove easily from one pump and put it into another if need be. No need to take the cover off or apart.

I needed a pulley for my PS pump on my 62 since mine was stripped at the keyway slot. I found one in Norwalk from an early 60's Pontiac FS that looked identical to mine. Same shaft diameter as well. The problem was alignment. I had to remove some material from the rear of the pulley so it would side closer to the pump to get it to line up with the generator pulley.

I had the car out today and saw my pump is leaking not the contol valve.

Is there any adjustments to tighten up the ball from the pitman arm that goes into the power steering unit? Mine is pretty loose.Thanks Jim

Jim,,,Is it loose in the pitman arm or the P/S valve?

The ball is loose inside the p/s valve.Thanks

If loose in the valve, then yes, there is an adjustment. Section 9A of the service manual has all the info on adjusting.

Thanks Keith I will check it out.Jim

I had a lose hose fitting and my control valve was leaking. I called Lares Corp and they do not sell rebuild kits for the early Tempest, they only rebuild them. He also said the Corvette control valve is different and the Tempest has no inter change with any other model. Mine is on its way to them. They also bench test them and adjust to factory specs.

Gary

I received mine back from Lares Corp earlier this week. They did a wonderful job and it bolted right back without any adjustment needed. No leaks and the ball stud (at the pitman arm) was nice and tight. It took them about a week and a half to rebuild mine.

Only complaint that I have is they initially quoted me $183 to rebuild mine and ship it back to me. They called me shortly after they received mine and told me I was missing the dust cap and that it would cost me an extra $50 to replace it... Since they already had it there, I told them fine, even though I thought that was highway robbery. When I got the unit back, They charged me an additional $31 to ship it back to me. The original quote of $183 quickly turned into $265....

At least I have a car I can drive now....

Gary, you are correct, that the control valve and adapter was not used on any other car and although similar to the corvettes, it is not the same. Some of the gaskets fit from the rebuild kit work, but the stud is different and the actual adapter is totally different.