After reading everything I can find here about PS, I have still not found anything difinitive for not using the Ford pump. Since I have a pump already mounted on my 302, why change it? What are the specific issues with running the Ford pump? I see vague references to low pressure at idle and less flow volume, but has anyone actually tried it? I can ask Borgesson, but they want to sell product. This remains the best place for real-world answers so lets hear it. A secondary reason is that I do not want to s**** my surpentine belt system unless absolutely necessary. I am tempted to just give it a go and report back the results but will defer if there are real safewty issues.
Did you call Borgeson? From Borgeson regarding their steering boxes: IDK what the Mustang pump is but maybe someone else does.
Ok this is what I found on the AGR site. http://www.agrperformance.com/Ford-Cars-AGR-Performance-MB-Motorsports.htm
When I screwed Fords together in those days, we were told all plastic backed pumps were the same save the relief spring. If you have one from a Mustang, and you want more pressure, try a spring from a Lincoln or an F350.
I talked to Borgeson about it a while back also and the tech guy told me that driving would likely be fine using a ford pump but the issue becomes at idle and low rpm's, it often doesnt have enough/any ***ist at that point. Here is some notes I saved from a guy that installed the setup on a 70 Torino. Cant find the site, but here was his detailed post on what he did. I think I am going to run that saginaw pump with mine and make a bracket or buy a March Perf. one, they make one for it but it is $$$ I also have a serpentine setup and dont plan to get rid of it. So whatever I do, its going to work with that. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mch-30037/overview/make/ford/model/mustang 1970 Torino Borgeson Install http://s738.photobucket.com/user/1sheadr/library/Borgeson Steering Conversion?sort=6&page=1 HOSE CONNECTION I used my Ford steering pump. I ran the hoses along the shock tower. Excellent clearance for input pressure hose. The return hose was a little tight. If you are running headers or big block you may want a longer return hose. You could mock it up with a piece of rope and measure. A longer return hose could be cut to fit since it is clamped onto the steering pump. You can convert either a factory manual steering car or a factory power steering car. The borgeson box is 16:1 ratio which is as good or better than many factory boxes. My steering wheel is smaller than stock also.I used my factory pump. The borgeson p/s pump is designed to give more ***ist at idle. The borgeson integral box eliminates the factory control valve and p/s cylinder. Less hoses/connections that could leak. Less links in the sytems to wear and create slop. Steering pump: I used my original ford pump. The Borgeson pump will give more ***ist at idle. My car alway had a fast idle since I bought it. One day, I adjusted the idle way down real slow and noticed there is not enough ***ist. I have since raised the idle up. Steering wheel: My car came with a smaller 13" steering wheel (see photo link). I tried switching back to a 15" from another car because the speedometer view was blocked with the 13". I have to say I like the steering response and feel much better with the 13" wheel so I switched it back. I may rework my speedometer later. Ranking: I would rank this upgrade very good for the money. I think it is a good step up from the factory system. FYI my suspension and steering is fully rebuilt. I would not say this system is razor sharp like a modern sports car with rack and pinion. I would call it a very good mid level upgrade. UPDATE: Added Saginaw Steering Pump. I've been meaning to add an update here for the benefit of the readers and to be fair to Borgeson. PRIOR Review- Borgeson Steering box, rebuilt front end, using Ford steering pump - Eliminated many hoses, leaks, Got rid of slop and play in the steering wheel, tracks straight down the road. Excellent on straightaways, highways, curves. Much improved feedback. Overall gave it a B+ previously. Update: Added a Saginaw steering pump. Really makes a big improvement on the remaining areas that I was looking to improve with the Borgeson box. With Ford Pump got functional but not great ***ist at idle. Ford pump groaned in parking lots. Could use more responsiveness in driveways, parking lots, and slow right and left hand turns. With the Saginaw pump all of those areas are much improved. The car drives like it should. It even increased the responsiveness at all speeds in my car. Summary: Borgeson box with Saginaw pump drives like a modern car with excellent responsiveness and feedback. I would rate this combination a solid A UPDATE: I have between 7-8k miles on the Borgeson box. Steering is excellent. Here are my suggestions for you to consider. Saginaw pump. There was some slack with the Ford pump likely due to foamy fluid (air?) Also groaning at idle when parking. Tighter and more responsive at the same time with the Saginaw pump. New Ball Joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings Any wear in these can show up in the steering Good alignment I saw an improvement in steering with a good alignment. New Tires I saw a clear improvement in steering with new tires. Increase Caster I agree the steering box does not return to center like the factory box. I believe this is because the center of the gear in the Borgeson steering box is tighter than the outer right or outer left area of the gear. Before I installed the box I turned it from left lock to right lock. From left to middle is easy (can turn with your hand) Middle area is really stiff -cannot turn by hand due to tighter gear, then middle to right lock is easy again. I suspect this gear design (also found on some rack and pinion designs) results in the gear not fully returning to center like Ford box. I increased the caster on my car which helps it drive really straight and helps return ( but I still return steering some with the steering wheel. It is natural to me now). I did a shelby drop on my upper control arm and moved it back like they do on 65-66 mustangs. That resulted in more caster without creating bind on the lower control arm. An easier way to increase caster is to shim the front bolts on the upper control arms like they do on 65 66 mustangs. This will ncrease caster without creating bind on lower control arm. If your car sits high in the back and low in the front that will decrease your caster - might want to change it. Lucas Power Steering Stop leak Fluid Ok, I know this one seems questionable but I swear it took out the remaining final amount of small play in the steering wheel. Read the product and decide for yourself. It says it tightens rack and pinion. I drained the old fluid and added this. Rag joint elimination With all of the above, this was unnecessary so I did not do it. Before doing all of the above I had considered replacing the rag joint with a u joint to see if it would tighten the steering. Steering Hoses Don't order the Borgeson hoses - make / buy your own.
An adition to what was said above, or, an unpaid advertisment for a good product. My 55 still has its Y block and factory power steering. The old style pumps dont groan, so it gets used. It seems to seep at every joint. The rustproofing is a good thing because its a driver, not a show car. The level was a bit low this spring so it was topped off with 1/2 bottle of Lucas P/S fluid stop leak and conditioner. The car no longer marks its teritory like a ***** young pup. Fun with Fords, life is good.
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