Rookie working on a 53 Pontiac Chieftan

Hello all. I'm a new owner of this car ( 1953 Pontiac Chieftan ) and learning more about it. Bought my car with a descent 305 small block chevy in it. I noticed some quirky things about the car since owning. I had some questions if anyone has time I'd really appreciate it!
1. My car was an original power steering car and now its not? I am clueless about how to hook this back up!? Any suggestions or references?
2. My car has a 700R4 tranny which is good but the rear end is what I believe a stock single track. Any good recommendations on a easy install rear end? My goal would be to allow wider tires and have a beefy replacement that I could use with a future big block or more horsepower engine and some gears? I think the 52-53 Chevy Bel Airs are similiar and I've seen alot of ford 9" rears used with those.
3. In regards to a bigger cube motor and gears my first step will be buying a set of front disc brakes to slow the sled down. Any one use Jamco or someone worth recommending thats not a bank breaker?
4. I'm not sure if my cars stock X frame will hold a big blocks and custom rearends power?

Thanks for your time from Indian Country!

 

Hello, and Welcome.. If thats the car inset in the picture.. it looks good.. Why Change it..??

 

Is the pump still there? May just be a matter of getting some lines

I was going to mention if you wanted to keep it all Pontiac use a 57 Pontiac /Olds rear, but since the sbc, maybe a 9" would work also or a 8.5 10 bolt gm rear. It's lasted this long, it's a good rear end, but no posi available. But check the wheelwell width, you may not too much room for tire clearance anyway.

Scarebird makes a nice disc brake kit , I have one for my 55 and no machining of the spindles required

The x frame is actually stronger than most regular frames, the x help keep it from twisting.

I hope you future plans for a bigger cube motor involve on putting a Pontiac engine back engine. They are great engines with tons of torque for the street.

 

9 inch rear broken arrow nice place I have a brother there

 

Lots of people use s10 4x4 rearends on chevy and such which is nearly identical (60").
55-57 chevy
I am starting on an 8.8 ford because of its strength and value. Yes i will end up with the wrong lug pattern but it will be right with a MII frontend. Easy so far.

 

Nice ride looks like a very clean car...

 

53NDN, Hello & Welcome to the HAMB from South Texas.
Good looking car. If it ain't broke, drive it and get another car to work on.

Lucky667

 

thats a car you should leave alone and drive. why try and make a racer out of a cruiser.

 

Thanks for the quick replies and nice comments everyone! I appreciate the concerns with putting money into a car that's not broke. Makes good sense. Please keep the info coming to me about local swap meets, car shows and gatherings! Thanks again all, 53NDN