Questions about Borgeson Power Steering?

[Jwawhite]

Anyone have any questions about the Borgeson Unit that I removed from my
56 Ford?

[Phil Gillespie]

I have a 55 Ford fitted with a factory power steering unit. Is this the name of the units as fitted to these cars? Interested to know.
Thanks
Phil NZ

[Ford blue blood]

Have to ask why? Of the three I have installed in Mustangs, Fairlanes and a F1 they were trouble free and performed great.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

I have a 55 Ford fitted with a factory power steering unit. Is this the name of the units as fitted to these cars? Interested to know.
Thanks
Phil NZ

No the Borgeson steering box is an aftermarket/conversion part on 50's Fords.

[miker98038]

J, just for my general knowledge, why did you remove it? How’d it work, did you retain the column? I guess I’m assuming the unit was one of the GM power boxes I’ve seen on their site. Thanks

[Phil Gillespie]

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So what is the name of original unit as fitted in a 55 Ford? The one fitted on car can not make out any markings.
Thanks Phil NZ.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

So what is the name of original unit as fitted in a 55 Ford? The one fitted on car can not make out any markings.
Thanks Phil NZ.

As far as I know they are FoMoCo parts.
With a part number and casting/engineering number similar to this one. (first photo below)

With differences to fit the various vehicle models, and an upgrade from 2 tooth to 3 tooth during the '56 model year... I believe there were no specific 'power steering' boxes until the '58 model year.

The 'power assisted' steering available in the early to mid-50's Fords was controlled by a mechanically operated valve on the center/drag link where it attaches to the lower end of the pitman arm. Second example photo, yellow arrow. Not built in to the steering box.
.

[KULTULZ]

It is BENDIX valving/linkages with a SAGINAW manual box.

FORD went to integral PS for the 1965 model year and the BENDIX PS SYSTEM was kept being used on intermediates until 1979.

[KULTULZ]

That is one clean install -

[miker98038]

As dmsfrr says, they were FoMoCo parts. I think the pump was supplied by Eaton. At some point (many years ago) I remember those being referred to as “power on demand” steering. You were driving car manually, and only when you turned the wheel enough to overcome the valve was hydraulic pressure routed to the ram to assist the steering. That contributed to the dead on center feeling those had. But they were around for a long time. I think the Vette’s used them thru 82, long after GM was using power boxes on everything else.

The main complaints about the ram system is not having a little hydraulic leak off the ram. Part of that is no good parts supply for rebuild.

If I’m right, the Borgenson box referred to above is a powered box, that’s where the hydraulic hoses hook up. No ram.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

That is one clean install -

Not mine, I wish, just a copied photo.

[Abe Lugo]

@jwawhite
What pump did you have? Do You still have a Yblock?
Did you got to manual or back to original power steering?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by miker98038

As dmsfrr says, they were FoMoCo parts. I think the pump was supplied by Eaton.

Did you read my post? The system is (was) GM (except for the pump).

The main trouble (IMO) is the box and internals are a CHI-CON SLOPPY COPY of the GM 605 PS INTEGRAL box. While they offer a complete changeover kit for many cars, the early FORD has to be cobbled to make fit. I think this is where JW had trouble and went back to the non-integral BENDIX SYSTEM. The installer screwed the changeover up.

- https://www.borgeson.com/Ford-Cars-1949-77/

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

Not mine, I wish, just a copied photo.

Yours should be as clean/cleaner as detailed orientated you are ...

[miker98038]

No K, I didn’t read it. You were posting while I was typing and I didn’t get back here till now. Doesn’t surprise me that was a GM design, but did Ford buy it out or license for production. Just curious.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by miker98038

No K, I didn’t read it. You were posting while I was typing and I didn’t get back here till now. Doesn’t surprise me that was a GM design, but did Ford buy it out or license for production. Just curious.

That's OK... I just thought you were rattling my chain ...

Let me correct something. This system was offered by BENDIX and GM had divested itself of it in 1948, so the only GM part used was the box.

Several car lines bought and used it incl STUDEBAKER.

So I would think ... ... BENDIX designed the PS linkages also.

Manual steering linkages were most likely FORD but am still trying to track it all down.

[Gene F]

I had a 67 mustang with the ram attached to the draglink. The thing leaked. They all seem to leak.

[Jwawhite]

I see that my Post has garnered some interest.

It was such an Unprofessional, Butcher install. that I took out the Borgeson and installed the original set up. I rebuilt the CV and bought a new Ram

The Borgeson Unit needs to have a floor shift instead of the automatic column shift that will not work properly. My original pump was damaged by the "Mechanic" and perhaps the new pump was not operating correctly. It is very noisy and firm turning.
I could write about how much damage was done but i won't but I will tell you the bench seat was not removed and the carpet was not pulled back. Did I mention I did have red and white interior? It's that bad with grease.
This type of set up should have floor shift installed over the automatic. I have a cut down tube with shaft and u joint, drag link connection and other stuff for sale.

[Jwawhite]

For dmsfrr:

My parents owned a '61 Dodge Seneca automatic with the radiator doubling as a transmission cooler. One day the pan separating the two rotted through and radiator water flooded and ruined the transmission. The shop rebuilt it twice and charged my parents twice. Apparently the first mechanic? didn't notice the water in the trans....solution? they detached the lines and bent them shut!

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Jwawhite

It was such an Unprofessional, Butcher install. that I took out the Borgeson and installed the original set up. I rebuilt the CV and bought a new Ram

I have a cut down tube with shaft and u joint, drag link connection and other stuff for sale.

Maybe put it all incl photo on the FOR SALE SECTION here.