A manual rack will show up at least as late as some '80 DL models. Around the very early 80's, I think most cars are going to have power racks.

Try removing the PS belt from your car and drive the power rack with no assist. You have to drive it for at least a week, maybe 2 or 3, before you get used to it. If you try it for a day and think it's too hard to steer, it's because you're not used to it.

I had the power assist removed for me on the highway about 3+ yr ago when the ac compressor (or clutch) seized and broke the belt. It was really hard at first, but I've since removed the power steering and I really like it. I have MUCH better road feel than in my '90 244 with power steering, which is way too light and easy to turn.

edit: if you pull a manual rack, go ahead and grab the steering shaft too. It's different on some early manual rack cars, and might be alltogether different from the power rack steering shaft...I'm not sure. Also, non-power cars used straight ball joints that are the same for each side. Power rack cars used ball joints that angled forward to move the bottom of the strut forward which adds castor. More castor makes the steering heavier, which is why the non-power cars had less castor. If your steering is too heavy, you can also install the power steering ball joints on the opposite sides to reduce castor even more.

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