Mercury Truck stuff

[Mercury Guy]

Hello, I'm new to this website, and Computer use in general, but would like to get in on some discussion, and mostly get some input from some of you with more old truck experience. I was recently given a 1950 Mercury M-155 (3 ton) truck. I would like to keep it about 80% original, but I have a steering column, box, and pump from a 1982 Ford F-150, and would like to convert my truck to cross link steering, or at least power steering of some type. It will have a 239 ci flathead engine from a 1951 Ford military F-1, original 4 spd tranny, and the original 2 spd Differential,
Has anyone out there done something similar to this??

[41panelmark]

Welcome, you will get a lot of good help here, also check my Tonner's community group page. Hopefully someone can chime in on the steering.

[Mercury Guy]

Thanks! I've heard you guys are great at helping each other out! I've done the switch over on a 1929 A Roadster with a Vega steering box, but have yet to come across any one with parts to do it on the big trucks.

[Ross F-1]

Welcome!

The most common PS adaptation for the 48-52 trucks is a 1979 through early 1984 Toyota 4x4 PS box. Not sure it would be up to the loads of a 3-tonner tho. Adapting the PS pump to the flathead is a whole nuther ball o' wax.

[JSeery]

I know nothing about adding power steering to a flathead engine and have never seen or heard of it. But, I'm sure it has been done! Maybe someone else knows something about it.

[Ross F-1]

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On a truck, the easiest way is to go 12v, use an electric fan, and use the fan groove in the crank pulley to drive a PS pump mounted on the driver's side.

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by Ross F-1

Welcome!

The most common PS adaptation for the 48-52 trucks is a 1979 through early 1984 Toyota 4x4 PS box. Not sure it would be up to the loads of a 3-tonner tho. Adapting the PS pump to the flathead is a whole nuther ball o' wax.

If I remember correctly the mid 70's F-700 trucks had push pull power steering using an integrated power steering box, not the bolt on ram type power assist. If so that box would be up to the task and easier than trying to reinvent the wheel by go to a cross steer set up. IMO.

[cmbrucew]

Was an auxiliary drive ever made for a Ford V8 engine for some applications other than cars and trucks? If so than there is your pump drive.
Bruce

[Mercury Guy]

Thanks guys for the input, I've already planned to go electric fan, but I've used the generator mount to mount a Ford 40 amp. alternator. I can build most anything with my machine experience and tools, so I'll have no problem to build a PS pump mount! My problem is the actual mounting of the linkage and box. The model "A" conversion uses a steering arm on the passenger side with two tapered holes for the cross shaft from the steering box, and the tie rod connecting to the left wheel. The arm for the knuckle connects different on the 3 ton than it does on the pickups.

[big job]

As far as flathead pulleys the fan/pulley from a F8 with air brakes (if you can find one)
gives the extra pulley for the pump. Thats what we did back when, with a F6 for
a snow plow pump setup... The F8 fan mount Lincoln is the same dimentions as the
smaller 239... just has an extra pulley