Can someone do me a favor and take pictures of a front crossmember and rack setup, along with the tie rods and the ends all the way out to the wheel? I was trying to change over my '81 from recirculating ball steering (gets in the way of potential exhaust on my v8) before I left the country 17 months ago, and assuming my car is still there and working when I get back I'd like to get that done. I'd love to just take the entire setup out of a junker somewhere, but the junkyards in Fayetteville are limited on Z's. If possible I would like as many pictures as you can get of the rack, the crossmember, how the two bolt together, how each piece connects to the other, and whatever else you can think of. A nice alternative would be if one of you guys lives close to Fort Bragg, NC, and it's alright for me to swing by in November when I get back.

Thanks!

 

ill see if i can get pix, my entire front x-member is laying on the ground so its nice and easy to see it. send my your recirc ball stuff!! including the box. i may be able to trade if your not too far away. you may need a differnt x-member, they have mounts for the rack. i like the recir better, faster steering box.

 

My Z used to have the recirc ball steering. I had to go rack n pinion for my turbo swap. I just used the turbo cross member, and it all bolted right up. You should be able to yank the rack and bolt it on your cross member tho. Make sure you get the steering column coupler bushing and bolts (up by the firewall) because it is a diff thinkness from what I remember.

My front suspension:

 

I converted to a manual rack. Should be fun with 245/45/16's on the front!

 

heres some pix of my rack?!?

 

Well that answers that question.

It appears my engine is in the same place as your rack. I'm pretty sure the oil pan is like 1/8" from the crossmember. I may be thinking of one of the other V8 Z's I've worked on though. I don't remember.

Thanks for the pics. I'm going to have to check it out when I get home and see. I never closely inspected my motor mounts to see what type they were, as a V8 was already in the car when I got it. I just kinda built up my new motor and went with it. So if the guy before me built custom mounts to put the engine as low as possible, I'm thinking there's not going to be any room.

Hmm... custom steering I guess? Or stick with my lame rams horn exhaust manifolds? I'm not quite sure how to proceed.

I'll update the thread and let you guys know when I get home.

 

I am going to seal my rack and pinion on my '82 T-top. I have not had the power steering hooked up since I got him running. So I decided to take off the lines, and seal it up. Just figured I would share, since it is on topic. Besides the power steering pump is in the way of changing out the alternator. Also the lines are in the way at times. It will help clean up more in the engine bay.

Anyway I will look around in my bolts bucket, and see if I can find a couple of bolts. That will fit, and use teflon tape or RTV to seal the lines. Of course making sure I get enough ps fluid, before sealing it.

 

Don't seal, loop Ask the FC3S community about this on, they have alot of experience on it, haha. Fill rack with power steering fluid with no plugs in, turn lock to lock to slosh out excess. Insert fittings and hose, done Fluid with no place to go is unhappy fluid! Actually though with the slosh, you can get away with it being sealed instead of looped on some racks. I wouldn't though.

 

I actually wouldn't mind doing that. I've gotten used to driving my 280Z 2+2 which has no power steering, and that darn pump really does get in the way a bunch. It makes it kind of a pain when cleaning the valve cover surfaces, the pump is in the way when doing the alternator, I think it's been in the way with a few other things.

So basically what you're saying is take out the pump, fill the lines with power steering fluid, slosh it around to make sure it's distributed, then basically just connect the lines that would go into the power steering pump together?

 

Yep, thats the plan. On the FC though, there were 3 lines for some reason... I don't recall what was to be done with the third, maybe just a 3way loop? I'd think one of the rx7 forums would have an in-depth on the procedure. Be known that un-powered power rack will not feel or turn the same as a manual because of gearing. The manual is geared to turn easier. Running without a belt on the pump, but pump still connected and filled will give you a bit of an idea on how it'll be. It will be slightly easier to turn after you get the pump off.

rx