This listing is for a steering box that was rebuilt, but has been slightly used. Will be tight and in working condition.
Rebuilt steering gear box with 16:1 ratio and 1-1/8 inch sector shaft. The only difference between SMB-F or SMB-K is the tag and inclusion of the Pitman arm.
These are PREMIUM GRADE rebuilt steering gear boxes for the 67, 68, 69, and 70 Mercury Cougar / Ford Mustang / Shelby. We consider them to be the very best on the market. Most auto parts are being rebuilt in Mexico these days at such a low cost they can afford to pay out on warranty claims multiple times and still show a profit. You will not be calling us with any problems on this box...
Our boxes are rebuilt here in the USA at a one man shop where this is all he does. Our boxes are done by a true CRAFTSMAN that only rebuilds mid-sixties, Ford steering parts, nothing else. To my knowledge NOBODY else re-welds and profiles the sector shaft nuts, they just clean them up or mix and match with other core boxes and hope they work OK.
In addition, as the Cougar continues to escalate rapidly in value, original parts with FoMoCo part numbers mean more and more in terms of value to your car.
If you are trying to identify the proper steering box, the box will have a raised casting number of C7ZR-3550-A. The early (prior to approximately 5-1-1967, 01E date on the data plate) steering boxes (both manual steering and power steering) will all have used a 1 inch sector shaft, this in turn corresponds to a Pitman arm with the 1 inch hole. Later boxes all had a 1-1/8" sector shaft and corresponding pitman arms for manual and power steering.
The 16:1 ratio SMB-F box was used for production purposes on those Cougars with the Competition Handling Packages. The SMB-K box (same 16:1 ratio - Power Steering) is identical without a pitman arm. We at WCCC believe that the pit-man arms were pre-installed on the steering boxes for use on the assembly line. That is why they have the SMB-F tag number. For those with manual steering and contemplating going to the faster steering box, 4-5/8 turns lock to lock to quicker 3-3/4 turns lock to lock. Understand that there will be more effort involved in turning the steering wheel.
We require a good, rebuildable core with 1-1/8 inch sector shaft to receive the refundable $225 core charge. 1 inch sector shaft cores are not acceptable. Please remove your pit-man arm before sending your box to us. We recommend using a USPS Priority Flat Rate box as shipping to us will be under $20 from all 50 states. When returning a core please include a copy of your invoice. Keep in mind if you are returning your core to us after 30 days has passed you will get your refund in the form of an in-store credit.
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