Ok, I am in the process of rebuilding what is believed to be a mid-80s monte stock car to compete next season. The car was the point champion last season and as I tear into it, I can't see why.... I was going to change the center link because of excessive play where it connects to the pitman arm coming out of the steering box. After closer examination, I found that the center link was fine. The hole in the pitman are for the center link tapered stud is too big. They must have changed the steering box at one time and used pitman arm that was on it.
It is about 5.5 in center to center with about a 1.5 in drop from steering box to center link. After spending some time in a wrecking yard parts bin, the only pitman arm I could find with the right tapered hole for center link taper was of an 89 RS Camaro. It is 6 3/4 center to center and about a 2" drop. When I tried to mount it the tie rod end where it attaches to center link won't clear cross member.
As i read up on this stuff, it sounds as if the idler arm and pitman arm should be the same length. The idler looks to be about 6 and 1/4 in. I am not sure if a pitman arm that length would even clear cross member. I am not sure if any of these parts are stock as the chasis has been around for a while. Is there any where I can get the dimensions of factory pitman arm and idler? What steering boxes/pitman arms will work/interchange?
There are not a lot of these cars laying around in NC PA because of rust and the price of scrap a while back sent them off for scrap.
Any help or advice appreciatied. Thanks