I'd really like to add P/S to my car. Every conversion that I've read about seems to have a downside like reduced turning circle. Does anybody have a setup that they've actually done, that works well and is trouble free?
Are you looking for an original setup, or do you want something newer? I've seen some stock pieces available on occasion, both online and at swapmeets and most would likely require rebuilding.
I'd be OK either way, if the car behaves itself well on the road. The front suspension is lowered stock (spindles, springs) and the engine is a 289 out of a Mustang, so I'm guessing that the stock '56 stuff would have to be combined with a later-style pump. I'm not a good enough mechanic to know what would be involved, which is why I was looking for somebody who had personal experience with such a setup.
On my '54, I put a power steering from a 1979 Granada. Took the tie rods, drag link, idler arm and pitman arm from the Granada. Put a 1" spacer between the idler and frame and the rest bolts up. I bolted the power ram bracket to the frame on the driver's side and the lower portion is installed. You can use the Granada pump on your 289 and you are set. I used the spindles, proportioning valve and master cylinder and got disc brakes to boot! (need to ream the bottom ball joint hole to install spindles.)
I also installed a rack & pinion power steering unit in my '56. Because of the new setups and steering joint connections, I lost the ability to have the horn wire feed all of the way through the steering column. Instead I just mounted an old starter ****on on the floor & use that instead of the horn ring.
hydroshawn wrote: I think Jamco has a direct replacement. Nope. They do a Volvo steering setup for shoeboxes, but they've never done a P/S setup for '54-56.
to 56 club ... did you have enough room to mount a power steering pump? i have a late(r) model 302 and my alt is p*** side top/ ac is drivers side top. doesnt leave much room for p/s bracket and/or pump not with the fuel pump and oil sending unit already trying to nearly occupy the same space. i know the power steering pump will sit forward of thos two, but what about the hoses? ive already given the fuel pump bolts a good talking to this past week when the pump went out. what about serpantine belt system. anybody have any ideas?
Hi 50 Fraud, I have a 54 ford wagon with granada steering in it. It was installed by the previous owner of the vehicle **** Cohen of drop em & stop em. I have extra steering units but no pump. The pumps and brackets are readily available for 289/302. I also have printed instructions from ****. If interested please contact. Dave
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