Power Steering Pump
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,058
Likes: 594
The conversion kit I bought came with a new manufacture pump.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
That's good to know. I did buy a new pump today. I found one through Rock Auto for a descent price. The Cardone branded one I found seems to be more popular than other new pumps like it. We'll see.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Not trying to challenge your like modern truck claim, but I would be very surprised to see any easier steering and just as durable as I what have now. It's all original 45 year old equipment that has developed a leak just this year. I'm not sure I understand the attraction to this conversion.
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,058
Likes: 594
Not trying to challenge your like modern truck claim, but I would be very surprised to see any easier steering and just as durable as I what have now. It's all original 45 year old equipment that has developed a leak just this year. I'm not sure I understand the attraction to this conversion.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 364
Likes: 91
One thing I have noticed on the Thompson TRW style Ford pump is the pressure relief valve likes to stick open at times leaving you with no ps whatsoever. You can free them up but they must be disassembled to do it. There are some other common problems too..No question that the Saginaw conversion is the way to go but odds are that your pump will be adequate.
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,058
Likes: 594
One thing I have noticed on the Thompson TRW style Ford pump is the pressure relief valve likes to stick open at times leaving you with no ps whatsoever. You can free them up but they must be disassembled to do it. There are some other common problems too..No question that the Saginaw conversion is the way to go but odds are that your pump will be adequate.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Our experiences with these pumps are quite different. I know them before they were abused and not maintained.
I'm so used to excellent steering in my old 76 that when I get into new cars I'm underimpressed with the steering..
I'm so used to excellent steering in my old 76 that when I get into new cars I'm underimpressed with the steering..
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,845
Likes: 2,353
the conversion is a solution in search of a problem as far as I'm concerned. the Thompson pumps held up just fine on the fleet of ranch pickups for many years , the only flaw in Ford's steering was the POS power assist system if you want to convert something there you go.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
the conversion is a solution in search of a problem as far as I'm concerned. the Thompson pumps held up just fine on the fleet of ranch pickups for many years , the only flaw in Ford's steering was the POS power assist system if you want to convert something there you go.
The problem with the interwebs is people comment on things without ever experiencing them first hand. It's kind of silly to say something doesn't work/better if all you have done is read some words about it...........
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 311
Likes: 35
I should have mentioned the reason I'm doing the Saginaw conversion is because the "new" Cardone pump I installed 3 years ago is dying (and I've done it on early broncos before). If you haven't done the Saginaw conversion before/used it first-hand you'll only be surprised when you finally encounter one. The stock pump works but let's not pretend a better made product with higher capacity is overkill or pointless.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
I installed the new Cardone branded, Thompson style pump. No noises, no leaks and works just as good as what I've been used to. One fingertip steering at a standstill engine idling.
Total time to remove assembly, remove pulley, clean and paint pulley and brackets.. Then reinstalled pulley, bracket and entire assembly. About 1.5 hours and driving down the road. 100% happy with the Cardone pump so far.
If anyone wonders if I flushed the system. Well I did that last week by it dumping more than two quarts of fluid in three days. Hoses are all new also.
Total time to remove assembly, remove pulley, clean and paint pulley and brackets.. Then reinstalled pulley, bracket and entire assembly. About 1.5 hours and driving down the road. 100% happy with the Cardone pump so far.
If anyone wonders if I flushed the system. Well I did that last week by it dumping more than two quarts of fluid in three days. Hoses are all new also.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,845
Likes: 2,353
I can turn 33's sitting on pavement with my Thompson pump no problem, maybe I'm just a stud I don't know. and my wife pulled a loaded gooseneck out of the mountains to the auction yard with a Ford using one of these pumps and WITHOUT HYDRO BOOST brakes back in the day. at 5'3 and 130 lbs I never though of her as superwoman but to hear how undrivable these pickups are in stock form today I don't know anymore.
Life was hard back in the old west and I guess we were tough SOB's.
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Life was hard back in the old west and I guess we were tough SOB's.
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