i have a 53 with the ram ***isted steering but plan on going to a 302/aod for drivability. what are my options? can i make the og steering work with a power steering pump on the 302? maybe make a bracket to mount the og pump on the 302? convert the whole thing to manual? money is a factor of course. what have you guys done with steering when going to sbf?
You can probably get the original power steering to work with a late model Ford power steering pump. There are aftermarket adjustable power steering pump flow rate regulator valves which will allow you to adjust the flow the new pump puts out to be compatible with the flow rate required by the original power steering ram. Late model Ford pump flow rate should be widely available. OEM pump flow rate specs should be available in 1953 Ford service literature to give you a starting point. I don't think this will be as big a problem as you fear once you've done your homework. Good luck!
UPDATE: The adjustable power steering flow regulator valves are carried by Speedway Motors. They plumb into both the pressure and the return lines and are adjusted by a single hex fitting. I expect they are a race car item, but would work in this application just fine. Cost is about $90.
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