Power Steering for '49-54 Chevy

Gents,

I am working on a 1949 Chevy Styleline and am trying to keep the front suspension stock (with exception of disc brakes and dropped uprights and coils). I have also dropped in a SBC. I am currently configured w/ the stock manual steering box, but I think I am going to regret that decision with the heavier engine - that plus I can't get the engine positioned back further w/ the headers interfering w/ the steering box.

I have talked to a gentleman who purchased a bolt-in rack & pinion kit for the stock front end, but apparently the shop that sold it went out of business. I have also read the threads regarding use of a Saab rack.

I am really interested finding another source for a bolt-in kit for the stock suspension. Either that or another alternative that someone has used successfully. Any help would be greatly appreciated - otherwise I'll need to start visiting the gym more often to get pumped so I can make those sharp turns at the car shows.....

 

Hey RustBucket,

I have the rack and pinion kit that you're talking about in my 50 Fleetline. I bought it from Butch's Rod Shop and you are correct in that they're no longer in business. It works great, but as a kit it was kind of expensive. I still had to supply and engineer a bunch of stuff, like the power steering pump, bracket and hoses as well as supply the rack. Not a big deal, but essentially the kit was a bunch of brackets, tie rods and hardware. And I'm on the stock suspension with dropped spindle supports, cut coils and discs up front. If I had to do it again and wanted power steering with discs, I would definitely go the MII route. In the end I think it would much cheaper and faster with less headaches. Having said that, I have seen that kit pop up on eBay occasionally.

Good Luck!

 

SBC is lighter than a straight 6. If you didn't mind the manual feel before it will probably be no different or even better now as long as the motor isn't too far forward.

 

Blkcat77 is right. It sounds like you haven't driven the car with the SBC yet... so make sure you get it on the road before you go spending all the time/money to put the ps on the car. If you are running a stock steering wheel, the steering effort will be less than most modern FWD cars have with ps on them. It's just that the ratio on the old Chevy steering box make it feel like 400 turns lock-to-lock.

On my old 52 sedan, I could tell no difference in steering effort when I dumped the 235 for a SBC 283 (with iron heads & intake).

 

Guys, thanks for the feedback - very informative. I just presumed the WBC would be heavier than the inline6. I was originally going to go MII, but my calculations showed I could go modified stock cheaper than MII. I'm probably $500 ahead right now over the MII. I have not driven the car yet. I bought it without the drivetrain and immediately went to the SBC. My concern is that the motor is too far forward (maybe only 2-3") because the stock box interferes w/ the header dump. I have to run an electric fan because of the lack of clearance between the WP and radiator. I have it as far back as I can - perhaps I can find a different header configuration??? Do you guys have any thoughts on that??? My plan is to get the car driveable and see how it works out w/ the manual box - I don't mind going manual steer - at least then my wife and teenage son will never drive the car !!!

 

What Headers do you have on there. I think there is a truck manifold that has a straight down dump for that side it might clear. it's hard to say without seeing it. Do you have a pic of your set up?

 

Wouldn't a rams horn type manifold clear that?

I was wondering if any of you have tried the SSBC roller bearing kingpin kit. Some vendors bill it as 'poor man's power steering.' Just curious.

Quake Monkey, what were the particulars of the setup you got from Butch's (what rack is it supposed to use, etc) do you have pictures of the brackets?

 

Rust Bucket '49 are you using the Fatman lowering uprights or the ones from
Bufalo?

 

The exhaust manifold I used was from a 97 chevy truck. The dump is at the back and just clears the steering box. My engine mounts were made by Waltons.

 

I have a couple of pictures somewhere and will try to post tonight (never done that on HAMB..... of course my computer crashed and I lost most of my build pix - but that's a different story). My headers are the cheapo's from RB's or Southern ($125 version), I believe. Center dump block huggers. I think if I found a header with a rear dump it would allow me to move the motor back a few inches..... I am sure I could get the engine back a few inches w/ stock manifolds, but I prefer the header route. Running bolt in RB's motor mounts and a Walton tranny xmember.

I am running the Jamco disc brake kit and coils with Fatman dropped uprights and dropped steering arms (before they went to the forged). I rebuilt the a-arms, etc., using conventional kingpins with the brass sleeves (no roller bearings). I got that kit from either Chev's of the 40's or National Chevy Assoc. Rollers sound like a great idea and a pretty easy bandage to apply. I still want the power rack or box however. I know one of you good welders / fabricators can do it - I'll buy it after you design and test it !!!!

 

I don't have the car yet, Dad had a '53 somewhere between 58-64 when he would winter in So-Cal. He is making noise about wanting one again, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with one for him. Of course I have no money at this time to spend on the project, so I figure research is the best plan for now.

If you're looking for a shorty header with a rear facing dump (for not a whole lot of money) I believe Summit sells a 'clipster' header by 'Patriot' if you have an auto. IIRC they say it won't clear a Z bar type clutch linkage.

 

Sanderson CC50 headers may work, assuming you have the motor positioned where it should be. You will need to cut the firewall support for clearance on the pass. side.
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_23_35&products_id=139

What water pump are you using? should be using the pre-'68 short style.

You've seen the other post on power steering...

 

I obviously had a HUA episode when I planned this contraption. As usual, you get what you pay for..... and I'll probably end up spending some extra dough to get it right. The Sanderson headers look like a hell of a lot better engineered design than what I used (a generic block hugger) - I presume the Summit are as well. Thanks for the leads - I may try that while I'm waiting for one of you guys to get the power steering design perfected.

Water pump is a short shaft.

 

I have a manifold off of a TPI Camaro (around a 91' I believe). I just bought a few pipe plugs for the A.I.R. crap it came with and it works great. Cost about $10 at the local yard. I'll try and post a pic tomorrow if you want.

 

Nexxussian, the Butch's kit uses a center steer rack from a '90 or so Chevy Cavalier. The kit came with brackets for the rack, tie rods and ends, a center steer plate/bracket as well as steering joints and a length of double d steering shaft. I only have these 2 pics on my machine right now but you can see the angled frame bracket that the rack bolts to and the center steer plate that the tie rods connect to. There's an article in the current Auto Restorer about a kit that uses the exact same rack- but I can't remember what the application was.




The rack tucks in nicely under the oil pan and doesn't interfere or take up too much space where the steering shaft connects up.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks QuakeMonkey, that's quite a bit more sanitary than I was expecting. It looks like you stiil have the 6 in there? Is it a 235/261 or do you have a 250/292 (or maybe I'm goin' blind)?

 

If anyone is planning on doing this conversion please pm me. I have a new(still in the box) rack that I bought just for this swap and now it looks like it isn't going to happen for me. I also have access to a '53 and a '54 chevy that both have this exact setup from which I can get the measurments to fab up the brackets, they are pretty simple.

 

Since I started this mess, I would probably be interested.... Does it have the tie rod connections?? Not familiar w/ this so not sure what's what.... Measurements would be appreciated as well. Drop me a PM.

 

Fatman Fabrications is the manufacturer of the rack kit, and was sold through Butchs Rod shop. Just call Fatman. I have used one of these set ups on a 49 Ford, and while it did fit, you loose quite a bit of turning radius.

 

Nexxussian, you aren't going blind, I'm running a 235 which is in the process of getting new carbs. And as T McG said, you do lose some turning circle- more than I'd like, but I do have power steering now!

 

Could you make a cheater bracket to effectively shorten the steering arm on the knuckle (or make a new steering arm, as I recall they bolt on) to regain said turning radius? Or are there components in the way when it's on the ground?

 

I talked to Daryl @ Fatman quite a while today. They don't manufacture the kit for the '49-54 cars anymore because he said the steering geometry was not acceptable. They do make the kit for early Fords but not Chevy's.... Thanks for all the feedback guys - at this point I am going to stick w/ the manual box and engine position and see how the car drives. If it sucks, I will probably go MII route as a "Phase II" of my build (way down the road)...... See you on the streets.

 

you say fat mans got this set up

 

Here at Jamco, We have a power steering conversion for the 47-54 Chevys. Kit includes: quick-ratio box, custom pitman arm (that works with the stock linkage)mounting brakets, u-joint, all hardware, mounting bracket, steering shaft extension & bearing. See the pic.



If interested, give us a call for pricing.

 

I have been on the Jamco website numerous times, but can't find this kit. Can you post a link??

 

Since he says 47-54, and looking at the box pictured, I believe he is talking about a truck setup, not a car setup. Totally different animals...

 

The kit above is Chevy Car. 49-54, not 47 as I typed. We do also have a kit for the 47-54 Chevy trucks. Here it is.



Feel free to call with any questions.
Both of these kits along with tons of other items will be on our new website that should go live in a couple weeks.

 

might add power steering,but will still leave header problems,unless you stick with the sanderson headers,or custom weld a set,yet i am interested,if the price be right!! how about that price?

 

I bought a disc brake kit and coils from Jamco, so I'm sure I'll get a better deal, right??

 

ditto that