'52 Mercury meets power steering

Got a customer that wants PS in his '52 Merc. Anyone aware of a kit or componants that can be used to do this upgrade?
To further complicate things I don't have the original box or pitman arm to look at. I am inheriting someone elses project.
Also the y block is gone and a 351 is in the hole. There is a steering box on the car from a Ford P/U but the center link geometry and box location are not correct.
Anyone been through this before?
Thanks,
PanheadGuy

 

If the original box was in it, a FORD "booster" style linkage ***ist type would work nicely.

Now, you need some engineering/design help.

Could you post some pictures?

If it is a "box-in-front-of-suspension type" (called front steer), a generic GM style box would be a good start.

If it is a rear steer style, get a big Ford box to start off.

Then get a MOOG or NAPA parts book to pick out the linkage pieces (They have pictures...lol).

Use a Borgeson steering u-joint to connect the new box to the old column.

This is an easy project that is no harder than doing am IMCA dirt racer, where suspension components are switched to get out the bump steer out of the car.

Stick with it,,,,MIZ

 

Flathead was the original engine, this is a front crossmember car. Try looking at FatMans website and maybe call them. They make a kit for 49-51 Mercs, I dont know how much is different between those and the later 52-53 from the firewall forward.

 

This car has been to several shops so far. The original steering box is gone. The center link and idler have been moved from the original positions leading me to conclude there will be bump steer. I would like to get everything back to stock locations and then find a suitable late model box to replace the original.
PanheadGuy

 

late 53 Merc's had factory power steering as an option. try to find you a take off unit off a 53. it would fit the 52 with no problem. i see them on ebay regularly

 

Hello Cosmo,
Does the late 53 box use the same setup as the '52 did with a power ***ist ram ?
Guy

 

The car I'm working on right now is a 51 Mercury with a 302/C4 in it and it's equipped with power steering. It uses the stock 51 steering box modified to accept a 70s Granada steering column and a Ford Granada slave cylinder (steering ram) set-up with a stock Granada power steering pump. You can steer it with your pinky when the engine is running!

(Although there's LOTS of slop in the box...getting it rebuilt or replaced is high on the list of priorities here!)

 

This 51 Merc, had a box- that I believe was from a newer Big Ford/Merc car or truck hooked to the stock link-It hooked up thru one or two stock holes from original steerin box.....
Lightend up the pics so ya can see it better....

 

You have to post pics if you can.

I was reading about this, wondered if it would work with a Mercury! So, essentially, they could have (and would have been easier) to keep the stock column? This is the most kick*** setup ever!

 

I'll post pics when I can, but my camera is over at DIRTYT's house, and that little goofball fled the country!!

You could very well keep the stock column, although whoever built this car originally chose not to. Personally, I kinda wish he WOULD'VE left the stock column in place and just run a floor shifter if all he wanted the Granada column for was the shifter!

The car has a bracket welded to the stock frame to anchor the steering cylinder, and there's enough room for the stock Granada power steering pump, brackets and hoses with a 302 engine.

 

Any idea what the stock application is for this box?

 

I don't get it.
Using the stock Merc. box with a Grenada column?
How does the Grenada ram work with the stock box?
There has to be some valving to modulate the hyd pressure.

 

This is the '53 Merc. Power Booster setup. It uses a mechanical steering box.