Steering box removal

[Rebel]

Busy converting from power to manual steering and I'm stuck with getting the old power box out.
The column is out and the steering box is all disconnected and moving freely but it doesn't want to leave the car. Reading through the manual, the steering box on a 383 equipped car should be removed from underneath but I'd have to drop all the suspension to do that, I figured that it might come out if I removed the battery tray but it still won't come out.

Would it come out if I take the exhaust header off above it or is it just a case of lug bolting the engine mount and lifting the engine to give more room?

TIA

[Blue]

If you remove the header and jack the enginge over to one side you should be able to get it out.

[Demon James]

I've just had mine out and back in again, admittedly on a 340 small block. I removed the exhaust manifold and it pulled straight out

I also learnt that I should have put the manifold back on BEFORE I fitted the steering column

[Steve]

Mine was a squeeze but came out with a bit of wriggling around underneath. Out from bottom and new one in from bottom as well. I may have a bit more room in my Polara but not much. Obviously enough to not have to take anything off....

[Rebel]

Thanks guys, header of it is then

Thanks

[Rebel]

Power steering out and manual steering in, lol. The pitman arm now looks to be too long, do I need a shorter pitman arm? Does any one have one? Or where's the best place to get one from?

[Derek]

What was wrong with your power steering box.

[Rebel]

It's worn out Del, adjusted as much as is possible and it still has a mind of its own when driving. So decided to go manual, looks like I need.a smaller pitman arm though

[Dave-R]

The splined shaft for the pitman arm increased in diameter from 1973.

I thought everyone knew that?

[Rebel]

Yeah new that Dave, it's not the diameter that's different though, it's the length of the arm, it looks as though the arm needs to be about 2 inches shorter than the one on there now