Gidday Guys, I'm a new member from down under in Auckland ,New Zealand.. I bought a 1970 2 door Maverick 15 years ago and have been working through it..car is originally Canadian so had to deal with quite a bit of body rust, been a marathon but making progress now. I wanted to get bigger tyres under the rear but didnt want to pump out the guards so had some new computer folded chassis rails made and have removed original rails and the new ones welded in..can fit 12inch wide wheels and tyres now ..probably a bit over the top but this will be the last car I build in my lifetime( 72 soon) Rear has been tubbed new boot floor, fuel tank in the same place..narrowed 9 inch with 3.9 gears, Detroit Locker, disc brake kit and about to order Dutchman axles. Drive shaft tunnel been massaged to fit 4 speed top loader, McCloud Scatter shield and twin plate Magnum clutch lifted using a Tilton Centre release bearing. Engine already built .Scat 408 forged stroker kit, in standard Cleveland block, Trickflow heads and inlet manifold, plus a "shed" load of other stuff..will only need to rev it to 6000 if my "Nads"are big enough..figured the standard block would be good enough. Thanks for reading my ramblings..now is when I need help from you Maverick Gurus!! Quite happy to delete the power assisted steering and use the existing steering box, buy a manual track rod from Auto Krafters..the issue I have is I need to get a Manual Pitman arm Part number D0DZ-3590-A…do I need to get one of these? or will the pitman arm I have on my power steering box work and mate up with the manual pitman arm….really need a bit of guidance on this..a big thanks to those that can help in advance. Cheers Rod
Sounds like a great car, and good to meet you. Yeah, the steering linkages are substantially different between manual and power steering cars.
I would suggest going with 75-77 Manual Center Link/Pitman Arm and Idler Arm set up, as Auto Krafters will have all those in stock. Looking for D0DZ-3590-A Manual Pitman Arm to use with 74 and earlier center links is next to impossible to find. David
Greetings Rod, I installed a control valve eliminator to switch to manual steering on my `72 Comet. That and a wheel alignment was all I needed. CONTROL VALVE ELIMINATOR 1966-70 FORD FAIRLANE 1966-67 FALCON 1967-70 MUSTANG & MORE POWER-TO-MANUAL STEERING (RP27483) (autokrafters.com) Why do you want to convert? I did it to eliminate the power steering drag on my engine to improve my 1/4 mile ET, otherwise I wouldn't have made the change. I might convert back some day. Turning the wheel while the car is sitting can be difficult especially with wide tires. Otherwise, it is quite easy to steer. Good luck with your project.
The early factory manual steering pitman arm (1970-1974) is impossible to find. One can purchase the later (1975-1977) manual steering pitman arm new. One can also purchase the 1975-1977 manual steering center link new. To go with a factory manual steering set-up, the power steering pitman arm will not work. As far as a manual steering adaptor that threads onto the power steering center link, after one removes the control valve...I am not sure what pitman arm is used but I suspect it is the power steering pitman arm.
Hi Guys, Thanks heaps for your replies and info. I decided to go down the route of using the 1975-1977 route and spent hours yesterday trying to get the bits from 1 supplier ended up with Rare Parts..I placed the order then wake up this morning too a "Dear John " email saying that the Pitman arm RP 20130 is obsolete on their available parts.. Can you guys suggest where I could try please..there may be suppliers you know of in the States that don't come up on Google Search.. Thanks in advance "Team"
Rod: Did you try AutoKrafters? 75-77 parts you are looking for can be purchased on eBay too. All from same seller........ Pitman Arm https://www.ebay.com/itm/184600904114 Center Link https://www.ebay.com/itm/185014693371 Idler Arm https://www.ebay.com/itm/185393674263 David
Hi David, I did try Autocrafters and they were out of stock..so paid a premium for the centre link, idler arm and 2 outer tie rod ends from Rare Parts , but hey Sh_t happens.. just needed them. On another note your a legend ( I aint blowing smoke!!) thanks heaps for your info, I'm ordering pitman arm right now!! just about to hunt for the 2 inner tie rod ends..will need to get those to suit the 75-77 centre link I'm figuring?..off to eBay to see what I can find..looks like they are the same for both sides? Just reading about your car..similar recipe to what I am building..keen to see a photo if you get a chance to post
Rod: 75-77 Inner Tie Rods p/n: ES436L Thank you for your kind words, this is what makes this forum so great, members helping other members with their project(s). Passing on their knowledge of what they learned with their Mav/Comet, so that others will benefit! I am slowly getting my Comet back together, sometimes life throws a curve ball at you! Take care! David
I have a brand new 1975-1977 manual steering pitman arm if needed. Email me DIRECTLY (see below) if I can help.
Hi Craig, Thanks for the offer of the Pitman arm..I did manage to order one through Rock Autos and its not too far away now. This forum is invaluable..been so useful cheers Rod
Too bad I missed this, I have an early manual pitman arm that is in great condition. International shipping is totally......foreign...... to me but it can't be too hard to do.
Hi David Hi David, I was sure I replied to you post but don't see it..Info you've passed on is damn helpful..based on the
