'57 ford fairlane
 

I'm sharing this because others may have had this same problem.

I have a recently purchased a totally refurbished 1957 ford with 3-speed and overdrive that had a added power steering system. This type of power steering is the one where : Borgeson pump (pressure set at ford specs) connected to a "power control valve", and then to a "slave cylinder". When I got it it had a steering wheel shake (left to right). All air-in-the-system was eliminated. Pump press. set to ford spec (850 psi). New slave cylinder installed. 3-New "control valves" installed...same problem. The control valve from Lares, Summit, and other sellers for this vehicle was always the same control valve stating this was to work on a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500. Thanks for the diligence of my mechanic he obtained a "original" control valve that he took off from a 1957 Fairlane in a junk yard......and IT WORKED !! It looks somewhat different and the shaft/spools inside are different than the shaft/spools that every vendor is stating that fits the 1957 Ford I have. Problem is that it leaked (setting a long time) and needs new seals, but it worked perfectly !! To get me going he took the "control valve" off of his 1959 Ford Edsel.....and that works also. Why isn't the right part available from parts stores ? Good question....HUH !!![/B]

Re: '57 ford fairlane
 

The valve you are describing is a CHI-CON OFF-SHORE ONE-FITS-ALL. It is junk.

That FORD valve has been out of production for how long, and that is the reason you cannot buy a new FORD part (other than maybe NOS or a good take-off). They can be professionally rebuilt/restored.

At least you had a mechanic who cared and took care of the problem.

Why the GM SAGINAW PUMP, an engine swap?

Re: '57 ford fairlane
 

If you could see what is in a rack-n-pinion ( i understand yours is slave) and see one getting rebuilt you would think twice about turning your good core in for todays junk. The hardest part is getting the screws out. Thinwall sockets, or screw driver bits, a 5lbs sledge, soaking the unit in PB Blaster for a week, a vice, a helper, and a good old fashioned impact driver.

NAPA used to sell rebuild kits.

My 57 does not have power steering, and unless I change it over to a 5-speed I have zero interest in power steering. I had a 1967 Mustang, and the power steering leaked no matter what I did to it.

Re: '57 ford fairlane
 

Poor design. I could never get my '63 Galaxie to stop leaking. Same w/my brothers '64. Nature of the beast, I guess!

Re: '57 ford fairlane
 

Thanks to all for the input about my '57 fairlane power steering problem. Yes, at least it's finally fixed.....and yes, thanks to the diligence of the mechanic I was working with. Next comment....Why would any vendor (and there are many of them) keep listing a part that DOES NOT WORK ! I am planning to give my feedback to many of these vendors. If they didn't know before, they will know that some "idiot consumer" let them know the valve they are selling for the application they are selling doesn't work !

Re: '57 ford fairlane
 

Oh, that's any easy one.

They are there for profit only, they have no morals.

And then again, those that shop by price only, not considering quality.

You know, it some instances you have no other choice but to buy CHI-CON SLOPPY COPY PARTS, but the selling vendor should point out what it is they are selling.

And this is not only older vehicles but current also.