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Greetings from a Ford newbie. I've recently purchased a 1970 motorhome on a P350 chassis and am looking to improve its drivability. Would it be possible to install power brakes and power steering? I know anything can be done with enough money but I'm looking for available parts or ones that can be swapped from one Ford to another. Also, were any other engines offered besides the 300 I6? I'd like to install a V8 but after seeing how the 300 was mounted I'm not sure it's possible.
The 300 L6 is a bullet proof motor that is actually decent on gas. You are driving a billboard the wrong way into the wind, so I don't think that much matters. Go for creature features: PS, PB, maybe even disc, but more difficult to locate. New shocks will do a lot for road feel.
I'm not familiar with a P350. Can you load up some pictures?
From what I've learned, the P-series are referred to as "bread trucks". My motorhome shares the same chassis but the body was done by a different manufacturer.
So far, I've been able to locate a brake booster on Rock Auto. Where I've had no luck is finding anything to do with power steering. Did the P-series ever come with power steering?
I don't know how much room you have in the engine compartment or what all would fit that model but, my 240 (little brother to the 300) in my '69 F100 didn't come with power steering.
I got the (core) Ford C-2 PS pump, mounting brackets and pulleys from an '82 F150 that were originally on a 300 inline six, to install on my engine. My (core) Saginaw PS gearbox came from a '78 F150 and my tilt wheel column came from another '78 F150. My power brake booster came from a '75 F350.
At one time I had a little 4-cyl in my Toyota motorhome. It was a dog. Over the Rockies at 25mph, ... geez.
Then again, I could run the engine for electric and hot water, and heat. It had a battery charger for the house battery, and inverter for light 120v appliances. Turns out, that saved me the whole annoyance with generators, heavy engine, and an extra 'side' of the engine. The gas mileage was about 16mpg until I drove over 55, or against the wind. Overall, I ended up pretty happy with that little engine.
You might look into enjoying that six-cylinder, updating to a 3G Alternator, optimizing spark advance,
... and checking out a wind-prediction before choosing your long-distance travel day!
Not being familiar with a P-van, I am guessing it has a heavy straight beam axle suspended by leaf springs? Also where is your present steering gear located: inside the frame, or outside? Where does the steering shaft exit the box: from below or through the frame? the reason I am asking these questions is that I think you can copy a 4wd steering installation whether it be an early Bronco, to 79 F-100/150/Big Bronco, or a 77.5-79 F-250/79 f-350. Or a later year 4wd system. A beam axle is just like a 4wd axle in steering. You will have to fabricate mounts and linkages.
Well, I've received a lot of good info from many different contributors. While I can't have everything I want, I still like what I have and will learn to live with it. I plan to stick with the 300 for now and see what I can get out of it.
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