|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
12-15-2022, 12:08 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pittsford NY. USA
Posts: 1,096
|
'54-'56 power steering question.....
Hey guys! Sometime in the future I want to purchase a '54-'56 Ford.
Are the power steering units on these cars very troublesome? If so, are they more trouble than they are worth? Thanks - F F
__________________
1952 Ford F1 1965 Ford Falcon Sprint 2007 Ford Mustang GT |
12-15-2022, 01:14 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Posts: 2,429
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Same ones used on the 53', except a different crankshaft pulley and mounting bracket. I love the one on my 53' Merc. The main issue is the seals, correct that and my experience is that you are good to go for years.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...RhwPUGJ1GqEwv0 |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
12-15-2022, 02:57 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NE Iowa
Posts: 1,664
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Ford stopped using it on full size cars in 65 but continue to use it up to the fox body era on intermediates and compacts. Even used it on Lincoln Versailles. Many complain about the system, I never saw their reasoning. I believe early Corvettes used a form of the same system. My last car with it was a 68 Montego, zero problems in the 205K miles I drove it. Drove nice, not twitchy just relaxing ride. There is 1 zerk fitting were the control valve hooks to the pitman arm often overlooked on grease jobs and 1 on the control valve that is often over lubed on a grease job. Best to do them yourself.
Last edited by 5851a; 12-15-2022 at 03:04 PM. |
12-15-2022, 03:45 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Posts: 2,429
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Same basic factory system in my wifes 1970 Cougar
|
12-15-2022, 07:52 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Granite City, Illinois
Posts: 3,008
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Since the early '80's, I haven't had to do anything to mine except replace the pump-to-control vale pressure hose (which started to crack from old age) and started dripping a little puddle on the driveway. It's an everyday driver, so I doubt you'll find a system that trouble-free.
Once back in the '90s, I burned up an old PS pump on a '57 Ford during a non-stop 50-mile trip. When I went to leave, the engine wouldn't crank. IU got out two 9/16" wrenches and loosened the pump adjustable mount enough to pull the V-belt off the pump. Got back in the car and it started right up and I drove home with standard steering no problem. But that was an original pump never having been rebuilt and had a lot of miles on it. |
12-15-2022, 10:45 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pittsford NY. USA
Posts: 1,096
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
__________________
1952 Ford F1 1965 Ford Falcon Sprint 2007 Ford Mustang GT |
12-21-2022, 02:54 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Phoenix,AZ
Posts: 1,417
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Quote:
|
|
12-21-2022, 05:58 PM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,475
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Quote:
Why in the world would someone want a SATURN electric steering system in an early FORD? I could maybe understand RESTO-MOD (and that would be MUST II rack retrofit). - ONE BAD CASE of UGLY-
Last edited by KULTULZ; 12-22-2022 at 01:36 AM. Reason: TO SHOW UGLY |
|
12-22-2022, 11:58 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,475
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
- POST MOVED TO CORRECT THREAD - TO WIT - Just Wondering (As I Often Do) ... Has anyone thought of what happens when an ELECTRIC ASSIST PS SYSTEM FAILS OR LOSES POWER? I know on a FORD ELECT ASSIST RACK, when you have a service failure or lose power, there is no assist. It's AAA TIME. And how much AMPERAGE does it take to operate a system properly? Think that 30A 6V GEN is going to do it? At least with the BENDIX LINKAGE SYSTEM, you still have manual steering if there is a system failure.
__________________
***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
12-22-2022, 03:11 PM | #10 | |||
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Santa Rosa, CA.
Posts: 98
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
I'll try to answer your questions the best I can. It's funny because I was intrigued by an article that covered EPS installation into an older car and bought my '54 just because I wanted to try the swap for myself.
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
See my second point. |
|||
12-22-2022, 03:47 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NE Iowa
Posts: 1,664
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
What does a person do about shifter linkage and horn when going electric? I never read much into the articles about the retro fits as I didn't have any interest at the time.
|
12-22-2022, 04:46 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Santa Rosa, CA.
Posts: 98
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
In my case, floor shift and Cal-Custom steering wheel w/pushbutton horn.
|
12-22-2022, 05:55 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NE Iowa
Posts: 1,664
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Thanks for answering, it's as I suspected.
|
12-23-2022, 08:58 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,475
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
I appreciate your explanation.
__________________
***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
01-17-2023, 05:41 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Gladstone, OR
Posts: 170
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
My 55 power steering system shuddered on tight turns when first acquired and leaked a bit (bound to happen after 60+ years), but after a rebuild it's been great. never even give it a thought anymore.
Also my Saturn was unstoppable, so.... *shrugs* |
01-18-2023, 06:52 PM | #16 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,475
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Quote:
I understand the SATURN system is different in design. But a failure concerns me, especially if a woman experiences it. While still using the 1957 OEM STR BOX, you will go back to STD STR with a hydraulic failure but you are now entering a second box of sorts that may increase the difficulty with steering effort. Quote:
Sorry, I just don't understand why.
__________________
***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
||
01-18-2023, 10:43 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1,398
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
There’s been a lot of discussion about power steering lately. One caution I would add. Lots of parts are interchangeable but workable. The pumps, mounts, hoses, etc. But the drag link is different at least between the Thunderbird and the pass car. I don’t know the interchanges 54 and 55-56. But those drag links are hard to come by and not cheap, and they contain the valve that controls the ram. Take that into account when making your decisions about which way to go, and what you should buy to start with.
|
01-18-2023, 11:57 PM | #18 | ||
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Santa Rosa, CA.
Posts: 98
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Quote:
Also, no women will be driving my '54! Quote:
No problem! I had heard about a Saturn conversion and wanted to see if I could make it work in a '54. I love doing that kind of stuff. On my roadster I made body panels from washing machines, used Land Rover trailing arms on my 8" and modified a Kia trailing arm into a panhard bar on the same 8" rear. I don't really care what manufacturer the piece is from, just as long as I can make it work.......cheaply! |
||
01-19-2023, 02:48 AM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,475
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Quote:
Imagine a 98lb woman having one go unassisted. There is your freezing. What you are trying to do belongs on another style form IMO. H.A.M.B. would be perfect and there are more there into what you are attempting to do.
__________________
***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
|
01-19-2023, 02:57 AM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY
Posts: 6,475
|
Re: '54-'56 power steering question.....
Quote:
Imagine a 98lb woman having one go unassisted. There is your freezing. What you are trying to do belongs on another style form. H.A.M.B. would be perfect and there are more there into what you are attempting to do.
__________________
***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|