Technical 56 Ford power steering Problem

I just installed factory power steering on my 56 ford (Meteor) 272. All the components have been rebuilt. When we fired it up on the ground I had power steering to the left but only manual to the right and the pump will squeal and heat up when engine is revved up. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Gerry

 

Don't know if this is the problem, but there might be air trapped in the system. I'm no where near my books at this moment, I believe turning the steering wheel lock to lock several time should work the air out of the system.

Good luck with it, there is nothing like being able to park with just one finger on the wheel. -Dave

 

The fact it works in one direction points to a problem with the control valve. Probably first thing to do is check that the ball stud properly centers in the sleeve when there is no steering force and it "moves" in the proper direction when turning force is applied left or right. There is a diagnostic section in the factory shop manual.

 

Sounds like a spool valve problem or one of the valves in the gearbox.

 

No valves in the steering box. This is the hang on style Ford used into the 70's.
-Dave

 

Yep......

I'll add that you should watch the idler arm for bushing failure. This is what 'centers' the steering (the rubber bushing is twisted when turning off center) and this was an issue with them. At one time MOOG made an 'improved' idler arm that cured this but it's long discontinued. The current aftermarket bushings appear to be crap as I went through several of them in short order before giving up and going to manual steering. They're not easy to change either....

 

+1 on this:
After the control valve the most probable cause . . .