OK, I made a mistake many moons ago and bought a 13.5 inch grant classic three spoke steering wheel for my 71. With summer coming, I really don't want that workout when I drive that truck.
I am not ready to spend the $400 or so (steering wheel and horn bar) for the correct steering wheel, plus I may move forward with my quest to install power steering.
I can find a 15-inch grant steering wheel that will use my existing horn button at a reasonable price.
The questions are:
How much more steering power is there with a 15-inch over my 13.5 inch and how much less power will the 15-inch have over the factory original 16.5/17 inch.

 

Sounds like a good incentive to install the power steering.

My Momo steering wheel is 13.8" (350 mm) compared to the old 17" stock steering wheel.

With the power steering pump, I no longer need a big steering wheel to turn the front wheels.

 

Yes, it is some incentive. However, my new steering column is for an automatic transmission and I am not sure I am ready for that install yet. Plus, my engine is so anemic, I am not sure how well it would handle the add-on of the power steering pump.
Not ready for the new long block any longer.

 

11% more.

9% less.

 

Then I guess the question is the 9 percent less noticeable enough. Prices for 16 inch steering wheels jump a bunch, but I can still get a 15 inch steering wheel for under $175 or so. I might still have the old steering wheel that came from my 69 and I do have a steering wheel from a "large" ford truck that will fit the shaft.

 

....just remember, the bigger the steering wheel (if you don't have a tilt column), the less room there will be from the bottom of the steering wheel to the tops of your legs.