Power steering box information needed

I am repowering my '56 Studebaker Skyhawk that has factory power steering. It is an integral type unit, not the ram assist style. However, the P/S steering box is HUGE. Although it appears I have adequate clearance for the new engine with the OEM box, I was considering replacing it with a more compact P/S box.

The original Stude steering box uses a pitman arm that hangs down from the side of the box, and swings fore and aft, like a '49/'54 Chevy car and has a similar bellcrank/tie rod setup. At first, I thought it might be feasible to turn a Saginaw 600/700 series box on it's side to make the sector shaft horizontal and fabricate the need mounting plate.

That would work but for one thing. As I ran through this idea I realized the Saginaw would rotate the sector shaft in the opposite direction from the Studie steering box. So.........the question is.......does anyone know of an integral type P/S box application that is geared to rotate opposite from the typical GM passenger car application ?

Ray

 

Hey Ray, how about looking at using a power rack setup in place of all that stuff.

I am not familar with Studebaker steering geometry etc, but the way forward for this old car maybe trying a rack system if possible.

There must be something out there that will fit.

When I visited Elpolacko's shop last May, I recall he was doing some thing with a 50's era Studebaker coupe.
It maybe worth seeing if anybody else that visits more regularly may know more deatil about how he was setting up the steering!

I believe the HAMB member "need louvers ?" is pretty friendly with Steve (Elpolacko) and maybe able to verify the steering being used or else PM Elpolacko and ask him...

 

Try a "Sweet" power steering column unit

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Sweet-Mfg-301-30250-Power-Steering-Servo-250-Medium,29596.html



otherwise a BMW E21 steering box

 

Good thought, check out the full range of "Sweet" products there is surely something they have that would work for you...

 

I couldn't find that on thier website...what is the part number?

 

BMW
E32 (86-94 7 series)
E34 (89-95 5 series)
E38 (95-02 7 series)
E39 (97-03 5 series) V8 only sixes went to rack and pinion

Very high quality ZF box, in several variations with and without Servotronic (a little PWM solenoid that's fed a vehicle-speed pulse-count to vary the assist, if left disconnected it just defaults to freeway-level assist), 2.4-3.8 turns lock to lock.

Note they have mount lugs on the box case and a short output shaft.

 

Have you lokked at the Studebaker Drivers club
here is a thread on rack and pinion set ups

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?121-Rack-pinion-installs-on-Studebakers

and here is one from Bob Johnstone's Studebaker/Avanti page

http://www.studebaker-info.org/tech/psteer/53krandp/53Krandp.html

May not be exactly what you are looking for, but shows what the Stude Guys have been doing

 

That's a good-looking J-car rack installation, it looks like the geometry is just about right, he claims at least that the turning circle is comparable (he shortened the steering arms, so it may well be, unlike most J-car bolt-ins.)

 

Ford van and 80' and newer 4x4 pickup have the reverse rotation Saginaw box

 

It is under servos Jim

 

Thanks Jim.

 

'80's Chevy vans have a reverse box as well. I have an extra......