So I am 75% done my 1960 with the 223 inline 6 build. I admit I do not follow this forum closely, so maybe some of this has been done or posted previously but here are some mods I am sharing in case anyone is interested:
Steering box. After weighing the difficulties, pros and cons of power steering conversion I opted to modify the original box by boring out the the area where the two bronze bushing were and installed two sets of precision needle bearings, I also followed "Numberdummy"s" advice and repacked the box with moly grease. Steering effort is much improved.
Stabilizer/anti sway bar. Obviously a good idea and can be done very inexpensively. A 2000 Jeep Cherokee bar is just wide enough to clear the frame and narrow enough not to interfere with the steering arms. mount it just in front of the axle (just clears the oil pan on a 223 by an inch or so, not sure what it would do on the Y-block) and fab brackets that bolt on the rear two u-bolt nuts. Use Poly bushing kit about 4-5 inches tall. Works great and considerably improves handling.
Headers. Enough said only you should weld/ fill in the area where number 3 and four exhaust ports are connected (still 223 of course).
2bbl carb. I used a weber kit designed for a 80's jeep inline 6 3.8. Bore the plenum on the manifold much larger. You will break into the heat riser cavities but you are not using them anyway with headers, fill areas with POR15 epoxy putty, fab an adapter (I used three pieces of 3/8" thick aluminum plate, the first has two countersunk bolts to hold it to the manifold and four upright studs that bolt to the carb flange, the other two pieces make the transition from the two barrel to the new larger plenum. I had to go one step richer on the idle jet and the performance improvement over the Holly 1bbl is stunning, really.
I could go on longer, I will stop now and if anyone is interested I will post some more.
Good Luck

 

Great info! Thanks for posting

Joe

 

Thanks for sharing, those are interesting, especially the steering box mods. Post some pictures please of you project.

 

What they ^^^ said!

 

I'd be interested in more info on the steering mod, like maybe a part number for the needle bearings used. I am trying to preserve a column shift due to Warner electric overdrive. My truck steers very easily with the large wheel so any improvement on it may feel suit me as well as P/S.

 

Use a B-2016, it is a drawn cup, open end, full compliment needle bearing, inside bore 1.250, o.d. is 1.500 by 1.000 width. Very common bearing, available everywhere. I bored the box from the inside so as not to disturb the grease seal cup. When you bore it is not necessary to remove the old bronze bushings, if you bore 2" for the bearings it will actually leave an 1/8 or so wide piece of the old bushing, leave it there. Polish the shaft.
Good luck with your project

 

Sorry, also meant to say you need two bearings.

 

I hate the mobile forum view and I've commented on an entirely different thread than the one I was reading.

 

Has anyone tried the Steering gear box mod is this Thread?

 

I just used the bigger steering box from a larger truck. Mounting holes a little different on frame and you have to move the anchor point for the clutch return spring but it works great. With nicely honed king pins, it is silky smooth.

 

Bigger steering gear box out of like a F5?

 

I am not sure about a F5 but definitely a F500 or F350 etc...