To power, or not to power?

What steering for Lump's Chicken?

  • Easier-to-drive power

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Ultra-cool factory manual

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
Dr.Jass

Dr.Jass

Pastor of Muppets
The Road Runner... since it's really Lumpy's car, I've been considering swapping the factory manual steering box for a firm-feel power gear.

Now, ordinarily, I'd be swapping in the other direction (I prefer manual steering) but this car is also manual brakes and manual trans. While the brakes will get upgraded to disc, they'll remain manual. The transmission will be a 4-speed (up from the factory 3), but still a stick.

I'm thinking a full-manual deal is a bit much for a 5'5", 120-pound woman... never mind one who's never driven a manual trans or manual brakes in the first place. I really dig the thought of a full-manual, stripper Chicken, but she should enjoy driving it--it's hers.

One person suggested building the car with the factory manual steering, and if that proves to be too much, swap it out to power. Great thinking, but I haven't got that kind of money to devote to rebuilding two steering boxes, two pitman arms, and two steering columns.

So, what do y'all think? Go with the power gear, or tell Lumpy to tough it out and start a weight regimen?
 
Get Sammy to send Lumpy some of his weights for the winter and spring.
You - take some etiquette and grovelling lessons to avoid broken jaws from Lumpy's new-found strength.

Most importantly - leave the runner in Mexican worker mode. Runners are strippers by nature. GeeTex's are upscale accouterment carriers.
 
Me 5 years ago was all set to swap out the factory power steering for a manual setup.

But I am getting old & tired - plus I have this vision of my car being a nice comfortable cruiser when it's done....so I have not really made up my mind for sure.
 
Agreed Doc. I also subscribe to manual steering to save on horse/weight. But I think manual would be too much for a woman. They (most) lose their sense of humour when it comes to clumsy handfuls. (cars, I mean :oops: )
 
Power for Lumpy....why make life harder? She already has to deal with you! :D:D :lol:
 
6pkrunner said:
GeeTex's are upscale accouterment carriers.
Click to expand...

Ha, I laugh at your assertion! My gTx was born auto on the column, bench seat, no power, drum brakes, AM radio. Actually, that's probably a rare combo on a gTx, but who cares?

Jass, is that manual box so worn out that it has to be rebuilt right now? Or could you get by with it long enough for Lumpy try it and decide that she can't drive it and she hates you for making her try? :D
 
I say go for power. Manual brakes and dealing with shifting are enough but having to armstrong the steering at the same time might be too much and get old fast.
 
Actually, the manual box is tight due to the low mileage, but with it having sat for 20 years, I wouldn't run it without new bearings and seals.

Also remember, the car doesn't have a steering column (gone when I got it), so for me to try one and switch to the other means I need to buy two steering columns. No, thanks.

Here's my deal: first impressions mean a lot. This girl has never driven a "real" car--she's had a Cavalier, and a LeSabre, and that's about the extent of her experience. I don't want her first musclecar to be something that she doesn't enjoy, and have her lose interest...

While my heart totally agrees with 6pkrunner on this one (proper Chickens are full-manual machines), my brain says the 3500lb clutch, Pistol Grip, and manual disc brakes on a skinny pedal are enough for her to deal with, first time out.

Besides, the LeBaron is going full-boogie manual on everything... 'cause that's my car.
 
O.K.,
My vote is for firm feel power.

Lumpy may have a rough time in a parking lot w/ manual.
That's about the only time I notice the BIG difference.
 
Find someone with a manual steering car and let Lump take a drive.......



....you'll get your answer real quick. :wink:
 
68R/T said:
Find someone with a manual steering car and let Lump take a drive.......



....you'll get your answer real quick. :wink:
Click to expand...

I'm with 68 on this one. That would be better. Let her decide if parking lots are too much. Manual steering don't mean squat on the highways and even on most city streets.
 
I'll be different on this one. Keep the manual steering and go with power brakes. Having driven several manual brake equipped cars over the years, I must say that, IMO, driving can quickly lose it's appeal when you have to stop in a real hurry (highway) with Mexican Binders. Bodyshops love manual brake cars - your insurance company won't ! Manual steer is only an effort in a parking lot.
 
Gonna have to disagree with you on that one, restoman... properly-done manual discs are the only way to fly.

My first Mopar was manual disc, and because of that car, I've converted most of the cars I've had since to the same (when I could find the parts). I'd remove and fling the booster and master cylinder, and use a proper manual-brake piece (yes, there's a difference). In a few cases, I've also removed the garbage factory proportioning valve and used an adjustable Wilwood for the rear, with the fronts run directly off the master cylinder. I've never regretted it, and never had a brake-related accident or close call on a car so equipped. All the manual disc setups I've owned and driven have proven themselves to be both very capable and a sheer joy to drive. I've also always found them to be easier to modulate in both emergency stops and inclement weather.

I damned-near bought it once with power discs when my engine quit--OK, "exploded with the exuberance of a mortar shell" is probably a better description--but I digress. No engine = no vacuum boost... and without boost, power brakes are much harder to stop than manual--you have to fight through a large spring and a diaphragm before any pressure gets to the master cylinder.

Manual 4-wheel drums? Never... but the power equivalents are just as bad if not worse.
 
My manual brakes ROCK. Awesome pedal feel, lottsa power. I still say Power for the steering though. ;)
 
Power for Lumpy....why make life harder? She already has to deal with you!
Click to expand...

Gotta agree here.
Remember I still have a steering column for you. N/C. Anyone want to deliver it to the DR after the XL party?
 
OK OK, you may have convinced me. I may get your recipe for manual discs for my Dart. You're probably right on with having the "right" parts. The manual cars I drove were mostly for test drive purposes, and were most likely home-brewed set ups. The last was a glass-bodied 32 Ford rod, built by a well known Hot Rod shop. Brake pedal was as hard as a rock (front disc), and took more time to slow down than my Beetle takes to speed up !
( Deep feeling of stupidity over here - I converted my Bug to manual discs four years ago. Doh! )
 
I think you are on track about making her first "real" car enjoyable for her to drive. What alot of you are forgetting is that you are comfortable with older cars and they way they drive. From what the good Dr. has said, Lumpy is not. Make it easy for her to enjoy and put the power steering in. (I also would put the power disc brakes in, but that's just me). :D I don't care what XL says about you Jass, you're OK. :wink:
 
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