Is the power steering box on 1962 Catalinas a Saginaw 800?
 

Does anyone know if the power steering box in by 1962 Catalina Safari is the common saginaw 800 series? It looks similar, but Im not sure. If its not an 800, does anyone know if its another saganiw box with the same bolt pattern that would pop right in.

It steers fine, but its a ton of turns lock to lock. Its got a cooler and all, which I assume is not factory, but the lines are old, and the rag joint I'm sure needs replaced. I was considering doing some basic maintenance on those items, but if Im going to do all that I would consider a swap to a later box that has a tighter ratio. But that's only if its an 800, that I can easily find affordable options for an upgrade. If its not then Ill likely just do the wear parts.

Quick ID guide from Lee Steering

https://leepowersteering.com/pages/h...entify-gearbox

99.9% sure it's an 800, just like the one in my '63 Bonneville. The '66 parts catalog says 62-63 are the same part # for the rack, piston, & worm assembly. As for the cooler on yours, I couldn't rightly say. There's no listing for one in the parts book, and I've never seen (unless it was a heavy duty option I'm not finding).

I just had my gearbox rebuilt at powersteering.com (see: https://www.powersteering.com/powerg...ilds#GMSAGINAW). They offer upgrades from the 20:1 ratio to 16.13:1, 14:1, and 12.7:1. I prefer my 20:1 (truly "Wonder Touch"), as I can spin the wheel with my finger, but to each his own (I wouldn't like 20:1 in my STS-V - LOL).

BTW, I got the extreme detailing package with my gearbox rebuild, including refinishing of my rag joint. Wow, it's beautiful.

Not sure what a Saginaw 800 specifically refers to but the bolt hole pattern is the same as other saginaw boxes. I have a jeep grand cherokee box on my 62 which is a common swap on GM A-bodies.
I have heard the turning radius may suffer a bit due to the difference in wheel base but I don't know what it turned like before since it was in pieces.
I reused my same pittman arm and the rag joint is readily available.

I would replace it with a 96-98 Rebuilt Jeep Cherokee box from O'Reilly etc.
Get the fitting adapters from Lee Power steering and use a Lares 200 rag joint.
I have done this many times with no issues.

A '69+ box will give you a variable ratio & a Jeep or Trans Am box will also be an upgrade.
There is a reason why 3.5 turn boxes have fallen out of favor.

Yeah I have too, just I normally use 3rd gen boxes. But that’s exactly the confirmation I was looking for. The jeep boxes are 800s.

I’ll have to look at the control arms on the wagon. I can’t remember if their turn radius is limited by internal stops or hard stops on the lower arms like an a body.