I have a 1955 f 100 with a 312 y block v8. I want to add power steering but finding a pump and brackets seem difficult. Any ideas? What else could I use?
Maybe something off a later model?
Jerry

 

Ford did not offer P/S steering for these trucks. You can bolt on the P/S pump, pulleys and brackets from a 1954/63 Ford Y block Passenger Car (Power Assist P/S). But, what are you going to use for linkage?

Years ago, Preston Ledbetter, who owned F100 Parts Unlimited in San Jose CA (Preston has passed away, all the parts/trucks were sold) came up with P/S for these trucks.

He used the above parts, plus the 1953/60 Ford Passenger Car control valve and ram cylinder (1961/63 is not the same).

The cars had a threaded draglink that the control valve threaded onto. Preston cut the trucks draglink, then threaded it.

But what else he did, I've forgotten, as this was 30 + years ago.

Power Assist P/S was available for 1957/64 F100/250 2WD 292's, but was dealer installed only. The chances of finding one of the P/S equipped trucks today, are just about nil.

1964 was the last year for Y blocks in trucks, 1963 Passenger Cars. 1965: No P/S was available. 1966, Ford offered factory installed P/S for the first time for F100/250 2WD's, but it was awful Bendix integral P/S.

Ford integral P/S was introduced in mid-year 1969, but installing one of these systems in your truck will be a PITA rigamarole.

* Where in CA do you live? If in NorCal...whiz over to Williams...to Big M Automotive. Mike has 100's of old Fords in his yard, so you should be able to find one w/Power Assist.

 

I live in Los Angeles. I wanted to put in a toyota box but had concerns about pump and brackets to make this work. I will try to see how it is steering it around town. Thanks for all the information.

Jerry

 

HOME PAGE********************** Y

This guy knows his Y-blocks...
He sells the brackets you will need.

 

There's a long time truck dismantlers yard here in LA LA Land that will have the pump, mounting bracket and pulleys.

I know this, cuz I've bought these parts from them for 40+ years.

 

William BIG M has them but they are pricey. That's where I bought mine that I still have not installed. Jag

 

There are four different P/S pumps. Without A/C, all can be used in place of the other.

900-3A674; 900-3A674-AC; 1100-3A674; 1100-3A674-AC.

There is a large bolt on the front of the pump, if from a FoMoCo vehicle, one of these four numbers will be stamped on its head.

There are different types of P/S pump reservoirs. One type bolts to the top of the pump, there are three different lids.

One type has no dipstick, one type has a longer dipstick than the other, because the raised "tower" the dipstick fits in...is taller.

The other type of reservior is remotely mounted, usually on the left fender apron, has the same three types of lids.

These pumps were used on 1953/64 FoMoCo vehicles and 1965 Mustang's before 8/23/1964.

1952/56 Packard, 1953/57 Nash and Hudson, 1953/66 Studebaker, prolly other make vehicles as well, used these pumps.

 

I got mine off ebay, see my gallery.

 

I don't know for any fact, but I've heard that Alan Grove has made a lot of mounting brackets for the "Y" block.