Steering Box Dilemma: 1956 Plymouth
 

My steering box has excessive steering wheel play. Also, it's a power steering box but the car doesn't have a pump anymore, so I essentially have manual steering with a power box. If you can, I need some feedback on my options. I'd prefer power steering, but not the 70's/80's pinky-steering. I could settle for proper manual steering if I had to.

Option 1: Find an identical junkyard box with no play, or rebuild my box. Again, run it without power steering. Problems: It sucks to steer a power box with no power. Also, it's very hard to find a junkyard box in good shape. I have not found ANY rebuild kits either.

Option 2: Find an identical junkyard box with no play, or rebuild my box, AND run a power steering pump. Would need to find a pump with appropriate pressure and circulation for that box. Problem: Again, can't find junkyard boxes or rebuild kits for the stock box.

Option 3: My favorite option. Replace old box a Saginaw style box, with a Saginaw pump. I'd have to make a bracket to mount the pump to the LS-style motor. Benefits: much easier parts availability. Problem: Will it mate to my existing steering shaft and pitman arm? Can I find an aftermarket steering shaft with the correct length?

Option 4: The easiest option, but not my favorite because I'll loose power steering. Replace my box with a MANUAL Saginaw box. Benefits: Easy peasy! Problem: Will it mate to my existing steering shaft and pitman arm? Can I find an aftermarket steering shaft with the correct length?