Is the flaming river manual steering rack worth the extra 500 bux over an old manual steering rack from an early 80's fox? If not does anyone have an old manual rack as to save me from grabing one at a wreckers???
I have a manual rack from a Fairmont in my 86 Mustang and I like it.If you grab one from the wreckers, make sure you get the steering coupler which connects the rack to the steering shaft.Manual and power racks have a different size input shaft and the steering coupler from a power steering car won't work with a manual rack.
You can swap out the rag joint for a stiffer one.I have the book "Mustang Performance 2 by William Mathis" and he recommends swapping out the stock one for the ones at the parts store in the red "Help" bubble packs which is supposed to be better.The steering coupler is located directly under the rag joint and has an open splined center and is bow shaped.
I don't have any manual ones kicking around.I have my stock 86 4 cyl power one and one from a turbo coupe which is supposed to be the quicker ratio power one but thats it.I see cars out at Buck's 2 or 3 times a year with them and occasionally at SGI so I will let you know if I see anything.