Getting my steering straight from lock to lock??

Hey guys... I just completed my first mechanics project I've ever attempted and it seem to have come out pretty good. I have a 66' CJ5 and replaced the manual box with a power steering box from a 1980's car. I also installed a power steering pump to the block of the 350. After bleeding the system is turns like a gem but there is one problem. Tell me what i did wrong?? before hooking up the pitman arm to the gear box I put the wheels pointing straight ahead. With the shaft connected to the column and the box I turned the wheel from lock to lock counting the rotations from left to right then right to left then divided that by two to find center for the output shaft. I attached the pitman arm to the output shaft as close to cente as I could given the spline configuration. Then turned the wheel a little bit so that the tie rod end could fit onto the pitman arm without turning the wheels from center. So, now its all hooked up I can turn it great but when I turn to the right the wheels lock and then the steering wheel keeps turning for another 1/2 to full rotation. Then when I turn to the left the wheels lock quite pre-maturely. How do I fix this? Sorry for the long letter!!

 

Also... I don't have to change the column from the current manual column to a column from a power steering vehicle do I?

 

I'm not following everything in your post but I recently worked on centering my steering.

It helps a bit to put the front axle up on stands so the tires are not touching or just barely touching the ground.

On my setup there's an adjustment sleeve on the link between the pitman arm and passenger side connection (drag link?). You can use this to help center your pitman arm travel.

There should be stops on each side to prevent the tire from turning too far and hitting something like a leaf spring or whatever.

The pitman arm on mine is keyed to the splined shaft and will only go on the one way (or maybe 180 off).

I do not see how your wheels can lock but you can keep turning the steering wheel? That could mean a bad steering box or something in the steering shaft? Make sure to check the condition of your rag joint if you have one.

 

something other than the wheel is moving - that motion is being transmited somewhere. - Have someone observe the steering mechanics as you go through the cycle - I would think something in there is flexing or slipping

not to preach, but have the wheels chaked when you are doing this, we just lost a fella in my area cause the car rolled over him