1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

Do you want an OEM INSTALL or something different?

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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.

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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.

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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.

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

I must be on the wrong forum ... :confused:

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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 ...

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1655806617

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

Miker,

That is absolutely gorgeous.

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

The 'LITTLE WOMAN' still speaking to you?

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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.

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

I meant to type BIRD ...

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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

Thanks.

Re: 1956 Vicky p/s ?
 

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.