1952-59 Ford Power steering add on

Has anyone actually added the Granada/Lincoln Versaille power steering to a 55 or 56 Ford?
I'm trying to do so, but am having trouble locating the "Ram" bracket on the frame. I have
the drawings, but can't seem to figure it out.
Anyone have a picture of the bracket installed? Or other help?
Thanks
Jim

 

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic72786.aspx

you are welcome.

 

Thanks Brodie
I don't think I explained this very well:
I meant I don't know how/where to locate the bracket on the frame?
I have the bracket and all the info listed in the thread you referenced.
Just can't seem to figure out the frame location, in reference to the drawing
Sorry for the confusion
Jim

 

there is an easier swap. 66-69 Lincoln box

 

66-69 Lincoln? Tell us more.

 

The 66-69 Lincoln box is almost a bolt on. You must bore out the Ford pitman arm splines, cut and machine the center of the Lincoln pitman arm splines. Press the Lincoln spline center into the Ford arm after lining up the spline (wheels straight, box centered between lock to lock) Weld together. What we have done is after aligned and tacked, drill a 3/8 hole in the seam where it is pressed together, press in a dowel, then weld everything together. The same process works for a Maverick manual box in a 54-56.
I am **** about keeping my Ford all Ford

 

I'm also a little **** about keeping my Fords all Ford so this swap has my attention, I still have a Jeep Grand Cherokee power steering box on the shelf that I had planned to use but now I may rethink my plans. This Lincoln box should be a little easier to adapt since I have a few Ford P/S pumps that I've heard wont work with the Jeep box do to different pressures, hoses will also be easier to find with the Lincoln box.

 

No need to notch the frame either.

 

How about the bolt pattern on the frame, does it need to be changed or modified?

Any pictures of the pitman arm modification? Sounds like a similar modification when using the Jeep box.

 

ANOTHER APPROACH: With practically no way to fit a power steering gear with other than that of stock dimensions (even this is extremely close to the heads) and no room for a pump (either air or ps, so you know I chose ac which is almost done) Ron & I reverted to a Unisteer "in column" electric steering unit. Yes it protrudes a bit, but works quite well and there is adequate foot clearance for the brake pedal. There were a few issues and a bracket had to be made, but the results are good. The stock automaic shift linkage in the the column and the stock horn ****on were retained.

Unisteer was very helpful through the whole process and cheerfully replaced the first unit as it was too sensitive. Here is their website:

http://www.unisteer.com/electric-power-steering/search-by-product/electric-power-steering.html

 

I am in the process of installing the Jeep box in my car. Had to heat, bend and work on the splines of the pitman arm with a file and hacksaw. Spent quite a bit of time aligning the box with the column. Did not like cutting hole in frame, although once welded up I don't think it will be a problem. I think all this will eventually work but if I encounter any problems I will go with the Borgeson unit. I got the jeep box for about $70 . $300 for a t-bird box and still make your own pitman arm ? No Thanks. I am a tight SOB and it is a struggle to convince myself to spend the money. $500 to $600 for a bolt in box including pitman arm sounds better all the time. Just my two cents.

 

The Lincoln/Tbird box bolts in with a simple filing of one hole. About 3/32" needed to align. The Birds and Lincolns can be found in s****yards once in awhile, or the local county fair. Demo guys are using the Lincolns since the Imperials are so tough to locate.

 

Thank you for the reply, I think I'm going to give it shot.

What is the intended purpose of the ch***is you posted pictures of, looks like circle track?

 

That pic is of cornerfool's Lincoln. He spent a good deal of time telling me about the set up.

 

I'm very aware of the Lincoln conversion, but already had all the parts.
It would really be great if someone had a part number for the Lincoln, then an interchange could be used to find similar items. Just a thought

 

As posted above, the only interchange for the Lincoln box is the is the '65-'66 Thunderbird box.

 

Hi, I have the T bird power steering box with pitman arm. I have $150 in it. If any body is interested in it, it will be $150 plus shipping.

 

Just a follow up.
Want to give a big thanks to Nascar Dave for the phone call & help in locating the bracket on the frame. I'll post a picture tomorrow, but what I did was after I located the bracket and drilled the holes, I cut a 2 3/8" hole (hole saw) into the outside of the frame, dropped the lower grade 8 bolts thru from the inside of the frame and bolted the top piece with the nut inside the frame. Then welded the bolt heads and the nut to the inside frame rail. Then I welded the hole up using the cut out piece. Ground the welds down and will paint that area. No one will ever know.
Pics won't load
Jim

 

Would love to see pics,Jimmy!

 

I'll try again today to load the pics. Don't know why I have so much trouble all the time.
Damn.
WTF. All I get is an error?
How come sometimes this works and other times NOT. What a pisser

 

Try again:

 

Edsel58a / all
would you know if the Lincoln / T-Bird box give any more or less clearance to exhaust / headers then the standard box (on a 54? and a 54 I intend to fit a 351Cleveland to)
Any views on whether this a better solution than the Borgeson system?
(I'm in UK so no T-birds or Lincoln's in the boneyards here...)


cheers

 

Hey guys,
How did this all end up? Hopefully progress has been made since June. I'm torn between the Borgeson, the Jeep, and the Lincoln/T-Bird solutions. Has anyone completed any or all of the conversions discussed. Instructions and pictures would be great, and opinions of the end result would help as well. I have a Jeep, Delphi 26057628 box, and I'm considering scarfing up nascardave's T-Bird box. My skills are limited, but, I can enlist a friend with better credentials, so the decision comes down to weighing "the best result", "degree of difficulty", "cost", and the "best do***ented" solution.

 

From the thread I posted earlier today, the status of my 54 Customline build is:

Engine: 302 and AOD ****** are in and in running order.
Brakes: AutoCity front disk brakes are installed.
A/C: VintageAir GenIV upgrade is underway.
P/S: I'm anxious to pull the trigger on this phase of the project.

 

Did I $iss everyone off, no response from anyone?

 

Sometimes it's better to post a separate thread. Questions will sometimes get buried in a post and get overlooked. Other than that I'd say it's all good

 

Trike
PM sent

 

My suggestion is Electric Power Steering. Less h***le, great results, less hang-one.... I love it...

 

All providing your stock steering box is in good shape.

 

Do you still have the box if so call me Eddie Vance. 505-330-5563