'66 p.s. idler arm vs. non-p.s.

[Rob A.]

According to the judging manual, there is a different idler arm(or atleast cast#) for p.s. vs. manual. If I'm reading it correctly, the N40 option in the assembly manual doesn't appear to call for a different idler arm. Anyone know if different ones were really used, and if so what the physical difference between them is?

[Wayne W.]

Re: '66 p.s. idler arm vs. non-p.s.

Pitman arm is different, I dont know that the idler is.

[Wayne M.]

'65 TIM&JG also says different Idler markings

The guide says the non-PS should have only the part # 3779185, whereas N40 cars should show 335GMT3779185B (all together ?).

Checked my early '65 L76 non-PS car and I see "377(space)GMT(space)3779185A" (not B).

Corvette parts catalogs show only part #3779184 (forged 3779185) for '63 thru '70 (latest book I have).

[Joe L.]

Re: '66 p.s. idler arm vs. non-p.s.

Rob-----

The idler arm was part of the steering linkage assembly as delivered to St. Louis. Obviously, the linkage assemblies were different for manual steering cars versus N-40. So, there's no way to tell from the AIM if different idler arms were used for manual steering or power steering-equipped cars.

Notwithstanding the above, I do not think that different idler arm assemblies were used for manual versus power steering applications. I think that the different "suffix codes" seen on the forging are not related to power or manual steering. For one thing, while there MIGHT have been different part numbers for the idler arm ASSEMBLY (there was not, but even if there was) for manual steering versus power steering arms, there's no reason that FORGING for the arm component of the assembly would have needed to be different.