A PS Steering Box with "605" on it, Questions!

[LSCustoms]

Anyone know if this is a decent box to use. I believe it is an older style box, but supposed to be the smallest one made by gm, and possibly has a better steering ratio, I was going to go to a manual box, but would rather have power steering, well maybe... I was going to get rid of the power steering to free up more space near the front of the head on the drivers side. This box looks to be smaller and cleaner than the stock box and will provide even more room for my 305 to fit in with no issues. Although the alternator is down there and i dont really have clearance issues. Just figured since I have the box i would use it if it is in anyway equal or better than stock. Hopefully someone has some input...

 

[LSCustoms]

A pict of my 305, the power steering pump goes on the driver's side head and the alt, on the lower portion of the driver's side of the block... but would love to free up even more space, need as much room as possible...

 

[mr evil]

I'm not a ps guru but remember reading that the boxes with the round tops like that are weaker and tend to develop leaks. No idea what the 605 means.

 

[81Regal]

The 605 is only a fraction of an inch smaller than the 800 square top. Possibly can relocate the alt up higher.
On a side note the 605 box is what's used for budget power steering conversions for the tri 5 chevys.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

The 605 is only a fraction of an inch smaller than the 800 square top. Possibly can relocate the alt up higher.
On a side note the 605 box is what's used for budget power steering conversions for the tri 5 chevys.

x2! I cleaned mine up and sold it on ebay pretty fast. Although it's heavy, the secret to shipping it is using a flat rate box from USPS.

 

[LSCustoms]

The 605 is only a fraction of an inch smaller than the 800 square top. Possibly can relocate the alt up higher.
On a side note the 605 box is what's used for budget power steering conversions for the tri 5 chevys.

My alternator is perfect where its at and was relocated to the lower drivers side of the motor for that purpose. There are no clearance issues when it is relocated in that manner.

I had researched and found the same information, since posting this thread... but as far as a stock 5.3/6.0 it provides a great amount of clearance... the two side by side... and want all I can get. The extra room will help with other things...

 

[Bonnewagon]

The 600 series was an attempt at saving money and didn't last. If it works, great. But be prepared to get an 800 box when it leaks.

 

[LSCustoms]

let me clear this up, before anymore posts telling me how bad it is and not to use it. I really wanted to know what this came out of, if there is any advantage to using it other than the size difference and for those doing high horsepower LS Swaps, every little bit will make a difference.

I got it for FREE and I have a perfectly fine, non leaking stock PS box that I intend to use... If found good information on the 605 than I would have used it instead! The first couple of searches I read on it said something about a quick ratio. Further research revealed that it is considered weaker. I get all the negatives (as far as it being considered weaker and used primarily for the 50s box upgrades).

Does anyone have a positive for this box, pertaining to our gbodys. I appreciate the input. No further opinion is needed on the negative side and I don't intend to use it. If anyone has a positive for this box post up (aside from selling it, cause Im giving it away just like I got it)

 

[DRIVEN]

See how many turns lock to lock then compare the one in your car now. I'd bet the 605 has more turns and will be slower ratio. IIRC the one I took out of my '79 was about 3.5 and the replacement F41 (square top) was about 2.5. It was a noticable difference. Also, I'm not familiar with your project but I think the 605 boxes had SAE threaded hose fittings and the later square top were metric tread. If you decide to use the 605 you may need different hoses or adapter fittings. Both mine were from '79 vehicles so that wasn't an issue. I noticed you have no pitman arm in the pics. I'm pretty sure they're different too.

 

[LSCustoms]

See how many turns lock to lock then compare the one in your car now. I'd bet the 605 has more turns and will be slower ratio. IIRC the one I took out of my '79 was about 3.5 and the replacement F41 (square top) was about 2.5. It was a noticable difference. Also, I'm not familiar with your project but I think the 605 boxes had SAE threaded hose fittings and the later square top were metric tread. If you decide to use the 605 you may need different hoses or adapter fittings. Both mine were from '79 vehicles so that wasn't an issue. I noticed you have no pitman arm in the pics. I'm pretty sure they're different too.

cant do an on the car comparison, all the suspension, etc. is off the car right now most recent progress on my car in my thread (link in sig)... intended on putting the stock one back on, when I saw that one, it looked physically smaller, so my friend told me that I could have it and if it works out cool... I have the pitman arm with it and some hoses, which would be replaced with ssb line anyway if used, Im thinking also about going to manual steering, so though i would check into this since it didnt cost me anything... I dont have any clearance issues with the stock one and my new motor... was just trying to clean up space wherever I could while I can