Hot Rods Power Sterring without the Power

Has anyone had experience with using a power steering box without the power steering pump?
I have an S-10 ch***is I'm dropping a Ford flat head in that is not currently set up for a power pump. I really don't want to try and swap the steering box out.

Thanks

 

Ever driven a power steering car with the engine shut off? Swapping the steering box is nothing just snag a good one and roll with it.

 

S-10's were also available with manual steering. A manual box will be a direct swap. No different than changing any other mechanical component.

Track down an S-10 with a 4 banger and it should be a manual steering truck. I have never seen a 4 cyl S-10 with power steering.

 

Swap it. You aren't going to like a ps box without a pump.

 

so, what is this frame/flathead going in ?

 

Sorry ..it is going into an s -10 ch***is with a 47 Studebaker body.

 

You are throwing your avatar on an S truck ch***is? Should be sweet, changing the box is not nearly as hard and doing the frame swap and should be quite easy while you got the frame out and exposed. A junk yard box shouldn't be exceptionally expensive a new one wouldn't run you more than 150 or so.

 

Yep .. the cab, front grill, and fender extensions are now bare metal and clear coated while the fenders hood and doors are rad Rod black. The bed will probably be cleaned of scale and cleared over rust and patches. I think it will end up pretty cool.

 

We used power boxes in dirt track cars without a steering pump to get the quicker steering ratio. Just connect a line between the two ports. It will steer harder while parking but the Studebaker likely has a large steering wheel. They did make S-10s without power steering but they might be difficult to find. It's strange that a rebuilt manual box costs more than a power box but they likely don't sell many manual boxes.

 

I've heard of this before, how do you bleed the air out, or is it not a concern?

 

manual 525 boxes are $320 new from jegs .

 

Interesting on looping the sides . Might work ok in a pinch. Used manual boxes from 85 through 92 are hard to find . Rock Auto always seems to have the largest selection and cheapest prices for this kind of stuff. (mailing cores back however is expensive) I'm trying to find out if a Vega box will fit right in. This is a cheap ***'d fly by my *** build so .....

 

You better have arms like a gorilla or Popeye,that's the only way your going to be able the steer the car. HRP

 

hmm..spinach?

 

Curious why you dont want to swap out a steering box but are willing to to a frame swap? With that stude nose I think you are going to find yourself switching to a manual box just for the room. I have the smallest PS box I could find, a 605 in mine. I put my 37 Buick on an S10 ch***is, I will never put another car on an S10 ch***is. Truck maybe, but not a car. Just looking at your avatar I can tell it is not going to work, not enough room up front for the steering box. If you are dead set on it consider a dakota or ranger ch***is with rack and pinion steering. I have another 37 Buick to build and I will be modding the stock ch***is on that one.

 

Nice looking ride.. relative to the steering I'm considering all options. Relative tot he Studey fitting the frame I'm not the first one to make it happen. I have already seen a very nice conversion. For me I have already set the cab and test fit the front end clip and flat head Merc 8.No major problems other than I will probably cut the front frame extensions and rails back a bit. There is room for either a power or manual gearbox however I'm thinking I prefer not to mount a power steering pump on the flat head as it will rob power from an engine that already only produces about 100HP.

 

Before you buy a manual steering box make sure the pitman arm is the same. I was going to convert a 94 Ford Ranger to manual steering, the box was easy to get but the manual steering pitman arm in no longer produced and almost impossible to find. (and no the power steering arm won't fit)

 

Good advice ..can anyone answer that question ..on an S 10 are the power and manual box pitmans the same?

 

I believe they are.

 

So from what I have googled there was one actual you tube example and references to use a saginaw 122/525 box. The 525 is the same as the 122 but has an upgraded spline introduced around 1990. Stock ration is 22:1 .. I priced a few used ones from salvage yards at $35 to $65 Simple . Looks like a pretty simple 3 bolt off and on change.