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CVF Racing makes brackets and pulley systems to install a Saginaw pump on an FE.
Ford's Thompson pump sometimes doesn't make enough pressure to power a PS steering gear. Mine feels dead until the RPMs come up. I swapped in a 78/79 steering gear into my 73 4x4 and there is definitely a pressure deficiency in pump output to the steering gear input.
If it's wandering as bad as you say, i'd recommend a box rebuild. Myself, I went with Redhead Steering and was happy with their work. They not only rebuild your box, but they improve it by installing needle bearings around the sector shaft so as to strengthen that weak link, but also make the box more precise. Was worth the money to me.
As for your pump.....If your engine is a 351m or 400, you can get a power steering pump conversion from Wild Horses 4x4. I did, and the install was pretty easy. They supply grade 8 washers as spacers so you can line it up, but I got some aluminum spacers once I got the distance figured out. Works like a champ.
Thanks.....appreciate it! A "few" upgrades would tend to be an understatement, as Buford is rolling proof that I should probably be medicated. If you want to have some reading material, I'll include the link to my build thread.....
I don't want to get into my truck here, as this is your thread, and it's about the steering box and pump. So, to return to that subject, if you need your box rebuilt, I would recommend the folks at Red Head Steering. They're good, fast, and while a bit spendy, you get what you pay for. As for the steering pump, the adaptation I mentioned was precisely for the 351m/400 engine, but the folks at Wild Horses 4x4 may have other possibilities as well, depending on your plant.
Anyway, I hope you get your steering straightened out.....wandering is no fun.
I wouldn't say you necessarily need a new column........but what you could do is to replace the column rod bearing (end of the tube, where the steering rod comes out of the column)...I'm not sure, but Dennis Carpenter, LMC, Blue Oval, or one of the vendors may have that....Also, maybe a new rag joint if you have one. Myself, I went with the collapsible steering shaft from Flaming River. I don't know if it had any effect on the steering, necessarily, but it was a good looking piece, and tied in nicely with what I was doing. I'd say these are trivial improvements next to the rebuild of the steering box, though........between the box being rebuilt, and the pump upgrade, I think things will improve dramatically. The other ideas like the bearing, joint, and steering shaft definitely couldn't hurt, but they won't make as much of a difference.......well, unless they're completely shot, of course.
In case I missed it, did you lay under the truck and have a helper rock the steering wheel so you could inspect everything for wear? (Done with tires on the ground) Or are we doing the make a best guess and throw parts at it method?
Those boxes have an engineering fault, they do not have anything replaceable as a bushing where the pitman shaft comes out. One place Chevy has it on Ford with the roller bearing. If a reman unit has not had that issue fixed (some cheap ones don't and you don't know where NAPA stuff comes from) Then it is a waste of money. Pony up and get a good one. Or do like I do and hit the junkyards for a tight used box.
In case I missed it, did you lay under the truck and have a helper rock the steering wheel so you could inspect everything for wear? (Done with tires on the ground) Or are we doing the make a best guess and throw parts at it method?
Those boxes have an engineering fault, they do not have anything replaceable as a bushing where the pitman shaft comes out. One place Chevy has it on Ford with the roller bearing. If a reman unit has not had that issue fixed (some cheap ones don't and you don't know where NAPA stuff comes from) Then it is a waste of money. Pony up and get a good one. Or do like I do and hit the junkyards for a tight used box.
Which is why he was steered to places like Red Head Steering, who make improvements to the stock box, by honing the case around the sector shaft, and installing needle bearings around it so as to eliminate any slop. Nobody is suggesting he should start shotgunning parts, but he did ask me about upgrades on my truck too.......so, as it pertained to the steering subject, I listed some of them. This is the pitfall of not reading posts except the last few, and formulating an opinion. If he is also having suspension issues, as they relate to steering (i.e.: balljoints, bearings, etc) then of course he should test for those issues as well before dumping money in any direction.
@Behemoth Thanks!
@willowbilly3 my thread is about replacing my steering gearbox setup. I known enough about mechanics that the gearbox defiantly is the main culprit. But Behemoth is correct, I was also interested is getting feedback on other stuff I might consider upgrading while I'm there, pump, steering column etc.
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