Adding Power Steering to a 49 Merc V8

[Ehlien]

Has anyone had any experience adding a power steering pump to a flat head 8?

Thanks

[big job]

I saved this pic, have no idea where I got it maybe ebay but should look
something like this... sam

[coupe5w36]

One way (if you have stock steering column & box) is to fit an electric power steering unit between the column mount and the floor. These units "power" the inner steering shaft and can be set-up to give the road-feel that you desire. They can also be made "speed-sensitve". My '36 has a Jaguar power rack fitted and as I had no place to neatly mount a power steering pump on the 8BA I mounted an electric pump off the chassis behind the front r/hand wheel and simply connected the hoses (with a remotely mounted reservoir) Works beautifully.

[BILL WZOREK]

Originally Posted by coupe5w36

One way (if you have stock steering column & box) is to fit an electric power steering unit between the column mount and the floor. These units "power" the inner steering shaft and can be set-up to give the road-feel that you desire. They can also be made "speed-sensitve". My '36 has a Jaguar power rack fitted and as I had no place to neatly mount a power steering pump on the 8BA I mounted an electric pump off the chassis behind the front r/hand wheel and simply connected the hoses (with a remotely mounted reservoir) Works beautifully.

coupe5 w36;
Could you add pictures of your installation ??

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by BILL WZOREK

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coupe5 w36;
Could you add pictures of your installation ??

This is what a typical unit looks like but if you are considering installing it on a vehicle with a column shift, without extreme modifications it's almost impossible.

[Mike51Merc]

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Originally Posted by big job

I saved this pic, have no idea where I got it maybe ebay but should look
something like this... sam

OMG, I'd rather grow Popeye forearms than install something like that on a car like that!

[51504bat]

Blundell Speed used to make a pretty sweet looking PS pump set up that mounted between the water pumps but the web site I had for them is no good anymore. From what I recall they had a really bad customer service rep and weren't making good on orders so maybe they are OB.

[Rand]

^^^^ I'm with Mike51merc ^^^^
Randy

[Kahuna]

51 Merc ct
Could you explain how that gizmo works?
I can't seem to picture it at all
Thanks
Jim

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

51 Merc ct
Could you explain how that gizmo works?
I can't seem to picture it at all
Thanks
Jim

Better than explaining, here's a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqPDT5umems

[coupe5w36]

Bill & 51, I'll try to get a couple of pics in the morning (it's currently pitch-black & raining on this side of the world). I forgot about the column shift, that would present a serious problem re the powering of the steering shaft. I made the chassis bracket very heavy (probably too heavy) but the electric pump weighed in at almost 7 kgs and I was a bit nervous about hanging it on anything too lightweight. Anyway I'll try for some pics asap.

[HELENT]

look in my photo album you see pic. i love the set up best thing i done to my 46 ford

[coupe5w36]

I hope these pictures load!! The 1st shows the remote reservoir mounted on the firewall. The 2nd shows the electric pump behind the front wheel. The next step is to make a basic splash guard. The 3rd shows the connections at the rack. Finally the bracket / mounting plate from underneath. It spans the chassis rail and the chassis "x" member. If I was starting from scratch I would have mounted it inside the chassis rails rather than outside. The XJ6 front end was altered to enable it to be bolted in place. The Jag crossmember sits up inside the original Ford crossmember and the whole unit can be unbolted and the beam axle / transfer leaf can be refitted. The car is a daily driver and steers, stops & rides beautifully.

[BILL WZOREK]

coupe5w36

What did that electric pump come off of ?

[flathead4rd]

Didn't the 53 Ford have factory power steering? Seems like that would be the easiest swap.

[34PKUP]

Originally Posted by flathead4rd

Didn't the 53 Ford have factory power steering? Seems like that would be the easiest swap.

Easy? Even if you could find all the necessary components then you have to consider different frames and suspensions.

[coupe5w36]

What did that electric pump come off of ?

Bill, the pump was a brand new european made "universal" unit. I purchased it from Ultimate Power Steering (ultimatepowersteering.com.au) who adjusted it to suit the Jaguar rack before shipping it to me. I stumbled upon their website whilst doing a google search and they couldn't have been more helpful. My initial plan was to power the steering column / shaft, but as I already had the rack fitted (I'd been driving it unassisted for 3 years - you should see my arm muscles) it seemed smarter to fit the remote pump.

[butchbov]

Originally Posted by Rand

^^^^ I'm with Mike51merc ^^^^
Randy

Well Rand I hope you & Big Mike don't ever have any serious disabilities like arthritis that prevent you from horsing that big ole wheel around. Otherwise I guess you'd just give up driving. I on the other hand installed a power box & I've put about 30k miles on the 49 since then. I know of several others that have done the same.

Happy Thanksgiving

[butchbov]

Originally Posted by Ehlien

Has anyone had any experience adding a power steering pump to a flat head 8?

Thanks

Here's a link to the install on my 49 Ford. http://www.shoeboxford.com/members/c...A3F0184E864328

Mounted a generic GM style pump w/o reservoir on a 1/4" steel plate above the left side water pump & drive it off the fan pulley. The reservoir is on the left inner fender.

[Tony, NY]

Originally Posted by butchbov

Here's a link to the install on my 49 Ford. http://www.shoeboxford.com/members/c...A3F0184E864328

Mounted a generic GM style pump w/o reservoir on a 1/4" steel plate above the left side water pump & drive it off the fan pulley. The reservoir is on the left inner fender.

We have to join to see your install.