some slop is just how they seem to be, its the main reason people upgrade to rack and pinion systems, if i remember correctly though there is an adjustment on the stock box....but even all the way in it doesnt help much
After reading this thread, I went out to look at my 67 coupe with manual steering as I just happen to have it today. My steering wheel looks like it has a little more than two inches of travel by the naked eye. The car does drive straight though with no wandering on the road. I think it's just old type engineering as stated before by wicked.
my steering box is a newer flaming river box. I believe the internal components are different and it does not have a worm gear set up. do you know the procedures to adjust these type of boxes?
There's probably nothing wrong with the box. You didn't say what year car but your name implies a '67. If so, you probably have a rag joint in the system. It connects the shaft to the box. It's a disc shaped piece of rubber that's prone to wear and gives lots of slop to the steering feel. Check that first before diving into the box.
it is a 67. the rag joint looks good and all the other components (ps control valve, tie rods etc. feel solid. i will call techs at flaming river for more info.
Should be easy enough to check. Will take a second person. Have one person turn the wheel, within the slop, and the other take a look at the pitman arm. Assuming you can see the column all the way into the box (on a '66, you can't, it's covered by an outer column), you should be able to see the pitman arm move. If not, then the slop is in the box and it'll require adjustment or Flaming River to do something about it. I've heard of very sloppy new boxes from Flaming River but they've always been able to correct the situation.