Power steering conversion
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Fairbanks USA
Power steering conversion
I am converting my 74/76 F250 4x4 frame(70 body ) to the late style 77 1/2 to 79 gearbox. I have the tech article by Vaughn McCabe and I am curious as to how to get ahold of him for a question. Or, if anyone knows- will a 1970 PS pump work with this setup? I have a 1970 390 already installed with power assist pump and I am curious as to weather or not it with work with the late model gearbox.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Power steering conversion
The pump will work, but you'll need to get a hose custom made to hook it to the gearbox. I'd suggest getting a pump from a 77.5-79 truck, though. You'll need to get the bracket, too. The 77.5-79 pump seems to be much more powerful, or maybe my old pump was just really weak...I upgraded pumps about 2 months after I did the gearbox swap.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Fairbanks USA
Power steering conversion
Trixie,
Thanks, The donor truck(a 1978) is at a junkyard and the pump is with it, but no motor brackets. That's why I wanted to use the old one as it is already attached to the motor. What brackets would I use since I have a 390 and they quit making that by 78? Also did you have to modify the radiator mounting or radiator support to get clearance for the gearbox to fit? By the measurements I took it looks as if it's going to be tight.
Thanks, The donor truck(a 1978) is at a junkyard and the pump is with it, but no motor brackets. That's why I wanted to use the old one as it is already attached to the motor. What brackets would I use since I have a 390 and they quit making that by 78? Also did you have to modify the radiator mounting or radiator support to get clearance for the gearbox to fit? By the measurements I took it looks as if it's going to be tight.
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Power steering conversion
Any bracket from a 78-79 351 or 400 should do...you just need the bracket that bolts to the pump...it will bolt to your 390 bracket that goes directly on the engine. I couldn't find it locally, so I ordered mine from jeffs bronco graveyard for about $30.
As far as modifying the radiator mount, I didn't have a problem, but I didn't do my install the exact same way as described in the tech article...and maybe the way I did it isn't the best, but I cut into the frame top and bottom so it was no longer [ shaped but like | and the big part of the gearbox ended up sitting on the outside of the frame rail, letting it clear the radiator no problem...I did have to slice up my inner fender for this, though. I was worried it wouldn't be strong enough at the frame and have meant to reinforce it, but 6 months and quite a few beatings on the trail later and it still seems in pretty solid shape.
As far as modifying the radiator mount, I didn't have a problem, but I didn't do my install the exact same way as described in the tech article...and maybe the way I did it isn't the best, but I cut into the frame top and bottom so it was no longer [ shaped but like | and the big part of the gearbox ended up sitting on the outside of the frame rail, letting it clear the radiator no problem...I did have to slice up my inner fender for this, though. I was worried it wouldn't be strong enough at the frame and have meant to reinforce it, but 6 months and quite a few beatings on the trail later and it still seems in pretty solid shape.
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
Power steering conversion
Well I am a little late, story of my life 
, but I see the question has been answered.
If you have anymore questions about that article the idiot that wrote it hangs around here off and on, his username is Sparky I think
LOL
, but I see the question has been answered.If you have anymore questions about that article the idiot that wrote it hangs around here off and on, his username is Sparky I think
LOL
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Fairbanks USA
Power steering conversion
Trixie,
Well, I'm going to pick up the gearbox today. I was planning on doing it just a little different myself. I was planning on cutting the top of the frame off (where it curves up) and welding in a flat piece, then boxing in the frame C- channel for the gearbox to mount to. I was going to reinforce the bolts going through it with pipe between the two sides of the frame rail. as for the position of the box it will be trial and error.
Maybe I will make a pattern drawing of the mounting hole locations once I get them right, and then anyone who wants me to mail them a copy will be welcome to it.
Well, I'm going to pick up the gearbox today. I was planning on doing it just a little different myself. I was planning on cutting the top of the frame off (where it curves up) and welding in a flat piece, then boxing in the frame C- channel for the gearbox to mount to. I was going to reinforce the bolts going through it with pipe between the two sides of the frame rail. as for the position of the box it will be trial and error.
Maybe I will make a pattern drawing of the mounting hole locations once I get them right, and then anyone who wants me to mail them a copy will be welcome to it.
