Guy, I was wondering if someone on this forum might have direct experience working on one of these...I am working on a 57 Fairlane power steering control valve. Took it apart and can't find a good diagram or picture of how it goes back together. I got a rebuild kit that consists of a couple of seals and rings, However its different than what I took apart. Anyone with experience or info they'd like to share, please respond. Thanks. Here's a picture of the valve:
Ford used that setup well up into the late 60's. I rebuilt the one on my 57 using a kit for a 65 Mustang. It is pretty easy. The big thing is getting back on the drag link in the correct position. The best way is to count the turns it took to un-screw it and put it back on the same number of turns.
I think jimmy six took the time to track down the right seals for his 56 ford after all the “kits” didn’t work. I think that was posted on another site but if there’s problems might be worth contacting @jimmy six
I rebuilt one of those for a 64 Fairlane (twice). My unit was in pretty good shape (no rust as the car had been in dry storage for the last 20 plus years. What seemed to make the second attempt work was I chucked the spool valve in a lathe and polished it....I found a you-tube video that helped me a lot. Hope you find this helpful.
You should find it all in a 57 ford manual. The parts (and the manual)are available from most of the t-Bird and other vintage ford parts suppliers. Not an easy rebuild though. take your time and make sure the bore is good in the valve. Sometimes you can use a brake hone, but just by hand, not a powered one. Good luck, they are tough to get a perfect seal.
The seals were called “quad” and the gentleman who knew what they were and sold them in Central California has passed away. I’ve never found them anywhere else. I followed the instruction in my 56 Manual and took my time 10 years ago.
Jaracer and others. Thanks much for the info. Unfortunately, I don't have a 57 Ford Shop Manual (may get one though). My dilemma is trying to understand which way the seals go on the valve spool. I didn't see how they were was taken apart. One side is tapered the other is flat. Seems like the tapered side goes to the center of the valve spool but I am not sure...seal in question is circled in red below...
here's the pages from a 56 model. Should be the same essentially. I have a 57 manual that's pretty tattered if you want it, it's yours. Send me a message with your address if so and some shipping info if you want to cover the mailing cost.
The spool valve seals each have a metal insert that fits into one side of the seal. The side of the seal with the metal insert faces toward the outboard ends of the control valve housing. It's been over ten years since I've done one of those control valves, but I've done dozens of them in my time and that's the way I remember them being.
I don't recall it being to hard last time. Don't forget the bronze seats for the flare connections. They get worn over time and overtightened fittings trying to stop leaks. Some catalogs refer to them as "tube seats".
You are in the right place, I rebuilt my power steering on my ‘54 Country Squire and members here got me through it. my biggest issue was finding the right parts. Although ford used the same system for many years the size and shape of the seals changed a lot. I ended up using some ‘53 parts and some ‘57 parts on my ‘54. Of course I have no way of knowing of parts were replaced over the years. look very closely at the pictures and find the one that matches your parts, they are all close but not all the same.
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