C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correct?

[Michael H.]

I am restoring a '65 and trying to make it NCRS "correct." In working on the front suspension area and checking the numbers, I noted that my Idler Arm has the 335 GMT 3779185B embossed number, which was supposedly used only on Power Steerting cars according to the '65 Judging Guide. Non-power steering cars, such as mine, are supposed to have the 3779185 Idler Arm, per the JG. I was surprised by this, because my car appears to have mostly correct components throughout. However, there has been some prior preliminary restoration work on the chassis, so I certainly can't be sure that my Idler Arm is original.

In researching the Archives here (which is literally a vast storehouse of information), I noted that at least one prominent poster believes that the 3779185 arm was used on both Power and Non-power steering cars, notwithstanding statements in the JG to the contrary. Other posters who believe their Non-power steering cars are all original have also reported having the 335 GMT 3779185B arm that the JG says is unique to PS cars.

Again, by reviewing the Archives here, I learned that there are a few errors in the '65 JG that presumably will be addressed in the forthcoming Sixth Edition. But in reviewing the posts concerning acknowledged errors in the current '65 JG, I didn't notice the above-referenced distinction between the PS and non-PS Idler Arms to be one of the errors likely to be corrected. Does anyone know whether a consensus has been reached on this issue? I'd like to know whether I need to find a different Idler Arm to pass judjing before proceeding with this portion of my restoration. As always, thanks very much in advance.

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

Mike, I went through this with my 63 and Joe L. Says that 3779185 was the correct number for both. Joe maybe able to comment on the (B) after the number. this may be a revison but don't take what I say.

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

I have a 3779185 idler arm that came with a 1963 power steering set up I bought that I believe is original and the B stamp is not where the cast # is but on the steel cap that (on aftermarker arms) usually has a grease fitting. There may be a picture of it in the archives, I believe the parts are the same P/S or not.

[John H.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

I'd like to know whether I need to find a different Idler Arm to pass judjing before proceeding with this portion of my restoration. As always, thanks very much in advance.

Mike -

Power and manual steering linkages used the same idler arm assembly. You might want to contact the '65 National Team Leader (Elio Martin, contact info on the inside cover of the "Restorer") to ensure that this item is addressed by the JG Revision Team for the next edition.

[Alan D.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

The Idle Arm problem is also in the 63/64 JG, suspect a great deal of the 65JG was just a cut/paste so some of the problems continued. The blank, "A", & "B" are all the same part, bet it just had to do with forging. Also believe the past assertions that the idle arm was unpainted is but a confusion with the Pitman Arm.

We know the P/S Pitman Arm for power steering linkage was unique and installed at St. Louis hence unpainted (no black goop)

[Mike E.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

I managed to save both the boot and the arm from my manual steering '65. Here are a few images of my original compared to a repop from CC.

There are some pretty significant differences.


Original is on the left




Original is on the left



Original is on the left



Original is on the bottom


Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

Mike, I went through this with my 63 and Joe L. Says that 3779185 was the correct number for both. Joe maybe able to comment on the (B) after the number. this may be a revison but don't take what I say.

Edward-------


I don't think the "B" suffix had anything to do with power steering applications. I think someone may have once-upon-a-time inferred that when they found an idler arm with a "B" suffix on a car with power steering or, perhaps, a few cars with power steering. If a different idler arm was required for power steering cars, there would have been 2 different idler arms available in SERVICE. However, there NEVER was.

Another thing to keep in mind: the number seen on the idler arm, 3779185 with or without a "B" suffix, is the forging number for the shaft component of the idler arm assembly. It is not a part number for the idler arm assembly. The part number for the idler arm assembly used for Corvettes was GM #3779184 and that was the only part number regardless of power steering or not. Assuming that the 3779185 and 3779185B were different shaft components, there would have had to be two different finished part numbers for the idler arm assemblies. These would have been 3779184 and some other part number. However, there was no such other part number.

[Ron N.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

I had my 67 judged at the Lone Star Regional in 2011. It was judged as Top Flight, 96.5 raw score. One of my deductions (2 points) was for a replacement idler arm so I purchased one from LIC (correct, GM # 3779185, no zerk).

While searching on the Forum I found you post dated 6/24/2012 with your pictures of idler arms. The one I purchased from LIC matches the one on the right side in your photo. The major difference is see is the #10-14-144 vs ^W2 10-14-144.

Based on the differences I must have a non-original for a 67 no PS. Do you know what these numbers (#10-14-144 vs ^W2 10-14-144) mean? The JG only refers to the GM part number 3779185. Could yours on the right side and mine from LIC be an original GM part for a different car or year?

Thanks
Ron

[Alan D.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

Here is an original Idle Arm from a 64 car, no markings as shown. Also have another - no markings on that unit either.
Now later year Idler Arm's may be different?

[John H.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm--Is the Power Steering distinction noted in the Judging Guide correc

I had my 67 judged at the Lone Star Regional in 2011. It was judged as Top Flight, 96.5 raw score. One of my deductions (2 points) was for a replacement idler arm so I purchased one from LIC (correct, GM # 3779185, no zerk).

While searching on the Forum I found you post dated 6/24/2012 with your pictures of idler arms. The one I purchased from LIC matches the one on the right side in your photo. The major difference is see is the #10-14-144 vs ^W2 10-14-144.

Based on the differences I must have a non-original for a 67 no PS. Do you know what these numbers (#10-14-144 vs ^W2 10-14-144) mean? The JG only refers to the GM part number 3779185. Could yours on the right side and mine from LIC be an original GM part for a different car or year?

Thanks
Ron

Ron -

There's no difference in idler arms between manual and power steering - both linkages used exactly the same idler arm (with the 3779185 forging number and no zerk).