1956 Vicky p/s ?

[Ford Freak]

Hey Guys! How difficult is it to install power steering on a '56 Vicky?
Are there any aftermarket conversions available? - F F

[KULTULZ]

Do you want an OEM INSTALL or something different?

[Ford Freak]

I would prefer an OEM instalation, but would go w/aftermarket if that was my only option.
It is not a perfect show car, just an average driver that I am considering to purchase. - F F

[5851a]

If it's not going to be an every driver maybe just a set of radial tires would help with the manual steering. maybe it was just me, but radials on my 58 was a night and day difference.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by 5851a

If it's not going to be an every driver maybe just a set of radial tires would help with the manual steering. maybe it was just me, but radials on my 58 was a night and day difference.

That and a complete overhaul of the linkages.

I'm a purist (similar to Southern Baptist). Any modification other than OEM P/S is a sin. The only mod allowed in my world would be a FORD rack and pinion setup and the car would have been modified for hot street.

[evintho]

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EPS is always an option. Aftermarket is $1500 or DIY with junkyard pieces is under $200.
Blasphemy? Yes.....but how bad do you want it?
https://www.hotrodders.com/threads/e...bZk5G5JINy9n1I

[miker98038]

I’ve been down this road, with a rack and pinion in my 55 Thunderbird. It’s worse in the passenger car, with that long one piece steering shaft. The video shows a nice installation, but it was erratic to load for me and I may have missed something. But that EPS installation doesn’t seem to show any shift linkage. That’s the big hang up on these Fords. It’s not impossible to change to a power steering box (try Borgenson (sp?) for that. But cutting the steering shaft, adding a bearing, and maintaining the column shifter is more involved.

If you’ve got a lathe and a mill and a mig welder out in the garage, not too big a deal. Or if you’ve decided you want a floor shift anyway. But if you’re hiring things out it gets expensive real quick.

A well rebuilt 3 sector box (or even a 2 sector) with an oem set up is really a pretty good system. I saw almost no improvement with a rack, new column, major linkage changes to eliminate bump steer, I can go on. It was not money well spent, but it does work perfect.

I’d poke around looking for the oem parts first. But only after a good look at the existing linkage and box, radial tires, etc. if that isn’t good you’ll need it anyway.

[KULTULZ]

With the box remounted I made a run to Pick-N-Pull to find the proper EPAS unit. This 2005 Saturn Vue gave up it's EPAS. $66 out the door!

SATURN? ELECTRIC STEERING in a classic FORD? CAVALIER R&P in a classic FORD?

I must be on the wrong forum ...

[Ford Freak]

Ok guys, thanks to all for your responses! I believe that if I do purchase this car I will just put a good set of radials on it (like I have on every old Ford I've owned since 1977) & just drive it. Not a deal breaker by any means. I was just curious about adding p/s. - F F

[KULTULZ]

If you were to change it over, you would need a complete donor or pay for a complete take-off (IMO). Then you would most likely have to redo the valve and piston, along with any components that are worn (including ball joints).

Whatever, if you decide to pull the pin, do not discard the MS DRAG LINK as they are unobtainium. Might pay for part of the conversion.

Have fun with it ...

[miker98038]

Kultulz. Do I hear my cage rattling again? Look at my hope for salvation. The F code clone in my ‘32 FORD.

[KULTULZ]

a well rebuilt 3 sector box (or even a 2 sector) with an oem set up is really a pretty good system.

!!! Amen !!!

Originally Posted by miker98038

kultulz. Do i hear my cage rattling again? Look at my hope for salvation. The f code clone in my ‘32 ford.

[miker98038]

56 Merc block, 312 stroker, 340cid, 8.5 static. Special thanks to John Mummert and Peg Leg Rice.

[Patrick brophy]

Miker,

That is absolutely gorgeous.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by miker98038

56 Merc block, 312 stroker, 340cid, 8.5 static. Special thanks to John Mummert and Peg Leg Rice.

Now that is impressive! How long did it take to gather everything up?

The 'LITTLE WOMAN' still speaking to you?

[Daves55Sedan]

Probably pretty hard to find anymore, but if you can find a junkyard '54/55/56/57/58 Ford with original power steering and remove the pump, crankshaft add-on pulley, sector arm, center-link with control valve/drag-link and ram cylinder, (take the old hoses too), and the special power steering idler arm and cast iron mounting bracket, you can use those parts to convert your manual system to power assist. It is all 100% bolt-on swap. No welding or modification required. Keep your original steering column and gear-box as is.
I cleaned mine up decades ago and had pump, control valve and ram cylinder rebuilt by Lares Mfg.
In 1998, I found another one and repeated all the procedures I had used for the factory PS on my car to use on my Courier sedan delivery. But I put a 223 6-banger in the Courier and had no way to mount the pump, so I sold the rebuilt PS setup.

[Fortunateson]

Well the desirability of MS drag link is very interesting. What do they go for, out of curiousity?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Fortunateson

Well the desirability of MS drag link is very interesting. What do they go for, out of curiousity?

I meant to type BIRD ...

[Fortunateson]

Ok I’m confused...can you restate the message? MS drag link, Bird, ????

Thanks.

[miker98038]

IIRC, the Manual Steering (MS) drag link is different than the power steering one, power contains the valve and mounting for the ram. Birds and pass cars drag links are different from each other, but most other front end components are the same.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Fortunateson

Ok I’m confused...can you restate the message? MS drag link, Bird, ????

Thanks.

That's not surprising if trying to read one of my posts ...

I had a brain fart ... I had in the back of my head THUNDERBIRD for some reason. The BIRD MS DRAG LINK is the hard one to come by, not the FORD.

The PS 'donor' will have to be a 1955-56 FORD. The later mid-year 56 had a better designed steering box so if you come across that, you have a winner.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by miker98038

I saw almost no improvement with a rack, new column, major linkage changes to eliminate bump steer, I can go on. It was not money well spent, but it does work perfect.

What system did you retrofit, the CAVALIER?

[Fortunateson]

How do you distinguish between the ‘55-56 steering boxes and the later ‘56 box?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Fortunateson

How do you distinguish between the ‘55-56 steering boxes and the later ‘56 box?

See the ILL's below. When you open them, the description will be below the photo. It's not all that important but if you are going to the trouble and expense, might as well do it right (IMO).

[KULTULZ]

Let me qualify this -

The 1955 takes a unique steer box due to the length of the steering shaft/worm gear. It is longer than the 56 due to the depth of the 56 steering wheel (LIFEGUARD deep dish safety feature). The 56 had both the 2T and the 3T sector gear, the 3T being the later model year usage.

Both model years use the same housing (3548) so a 1956 3T sector is possible with the retrofit and rebuilding the 1955 box with the correct 3T input and sector shafts..