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Anybody have a line on a source for inner tie rod ends for a 63 Dynamic 88. Napa has a part number but it reads as not available. No luck at Kanter or Fusick either. I've rebuilt or replaced my whole front end from Spindle nut to spindle nut. the only thing I haven't been able to source is these inner tierod ends.
Thompson without P/S is 588106 (both sides)
Thompson with P/S is 588106 RH, 588107 LH
Saginaw without P/S is 5678057 (both sides)
Saginaw with P/S is 5678057 RH, 5694576 LH
Search these part numbers and you'll find a few on ebay
How do I identify whether my existing setup is Thompson or Saginaw?
thanks for your help!
-g
Another quick way to tell Saginaw from Thompson, is to look for a forging number on the bottom of the pitman arm.
The one that is attached to the steering box.
On a '63, it should be 5676457 if it has Saginaw components.
Anything else would be Thompson.
And, in addition to the assistance Joe P. and Charlie Jones have provided,
Joe P. Has also provided, in this subsection, the chart which indicates the very best measurement is the smallest taper at the Pitman Arm on the drivers’ side is .556 for the TRW / Thompson versus .587 for the Saginaw….
That little .031 difference is unfortunately, CRITICAL , as the parts just simply do N O T interchange….
One basic inherent problem with these cars’ suspension and steering —- they used the two different systems….
We can only , 60 years later, utter the two words, “ Oh well “ , or repeat the famous phrase, “ It is what it is “ ……
And, in addition to the assistance Joe P. and Charlie Jones have provided,
Joe P. Has also provided, in this subsection, the chart which indicates the very best measurement is the smallest taper at the Pitman Arm on the drivers’ side is .556 for the TRW / Thompson versus .587 for the Saginaw….
That little .031 difference is unfortunately, CRITICAL , as the parts just simply do N O T interchange….
One basic inherent problem with these cars’ suspension and steering —- they used the two different systems….
We can only , 60 years later, utter the two words, “ Oh well “ , or repeat the famous phrase, “ It is what it is “ ……
Craig…..
Craig, is that true for the 1963-64 tie rod ends? The taper difference I posted was for the pins on the center link on the 1965-68 cars.
Joe P.,
Yes --- Inner Tie Rods on 1963 - 1964 Oldsmobile Full Size are governed by all the same exact factors, so that is that .556 vs .587 , which may be the most definitive way to determine the system utilized on a particular car....
This information, is according to the old Moog and TRW catalogs, which I have seen to be accurate in every instance, so far....
Craig....
And, that other chart you showed those other couple gentlemen, is the very best chart, for 1961 - 1962, 1963 - 1964, and 1965 - 1968.... keep that one handy.....
( I have that same chart, and another version of it, but I am nowhere near as skilled as you are on this new-fangled stuff !! I am simply a typist and a dinosaur !! )
Last edited by mpolds; June 5th, 2023 at 07:29 AM.
I finally had time to get under it and look around. I see no numbers on the pitman arm. Am i safe in assuming its thompson components?
Originally Posted by Charlie Jones
Another quick way to tell Saginaw from Thompson, is to look for a forging number on the bottom of the pitman arm.
The one that is attached to the steering box.
On a '63, it should be 5676457 if it has Saginaw components.
Anything else would be Thompson.
Maybe —- but not 100 %…
Supposedly, the big script “ S “ signifies “ Saginaw “ —- and in a perfect world,
if that 5676457 G M / Saginaw is N O T there, then it probably isn’t Saginaw —- and hence, would be, T R W , Thompson, or Alternate design….( all nomenclature for the “ other “ Steering….
However, we are using words “ supposedly “, “ probably “ and “ should be “ and “ safe in assuming”…..
and, the only way I have found which is Definitive is that magical measurement
of .556 vs. .587…..
Otherwise, you are gambling to some extent, and I have Never met a gambler who won each and every single bet….
I finally had time to get under it and look around. I see no numbers on the pitman arm. Am i safe in assuming its thompson components?
I think if you wire brush the bottom of that pitman arm, you will find some numbers.
Numbers on forgings do not stand out as much as they do on castings.
Even a fairly thin layer of dirt will hide them.
Hey Bigbassape,
Should we safely " assume " you have abandoned the project.... It was 4 months ago when you started this thread.... And two months since you've been
On this site....
Is the car still in a barn... or has it been ditched or sold as is ???
Just wondering.... Craig....
Hey Bigbassape,
Should we safely " assume " you have abandoned the project.... It was 4 months ago when you started this thread.... And two months since you've been
On this site....
Is the car still in a barn... or has it been ditched or sold as is ???
Just wondering.... Craig....
Not abandoned. Just on the back burner. Had some fairly significant life events to deal with that took many months of my time and depleted my finances. . Just now starting to dive back into the project. Hoping to get it up in the air and get some details so I can finally order some parts!
June 2nd, 2023, 01:23 PM
