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With the wider tires on my '53 Mercury, and the stock manual steering straight axle and weight of a V8 over the front wheels, it is absolutely brutal to parallel park or maneuver at slow speeds.
Any of you have experience with this setup for power steering?
Here is what is appealing to me:
I have a rare "50th Anniversary" Mercury truck steering wheel and horn button, I would like to keep it "stock appearing" if possible
No need to rewire or relocate my currently functioning stock horn wire running down the column and out the bottom of the steering gear
Compatible with stock 3-on-the-tree shifter column (as most other PS systems are not)
Thanks first time I seen one, the button on the 56 I have looks completely plain..and have no idea what it is supposed to look like but I also have an aftermarket wheel and column..
That's a cool horn button. I've never seen one before. But yours will be hard to restore, me thinks.
About your steering, do you have radials or bias plies? It is easier to steer at slow speeds like when parallel parking with bias plies. Modern bias plies are much better than old bias plies of years ago . When I took the first drive of spring in my 54 my bias plies had no flat spots.
Or you could install an F350-600 steering gear box. They have a better gear ratio and make an F100 (or M100) easier to steer.
First, I've got to say that horn button is way cool. I've never seen that before, either. Ironically, the 50th anniversary is for the Ford Motor Company. The Mercury name was introduced in 1939, so only 14 years earlier than the button. Still, that's a very cool piece to have.
As for the power steering setup, as a system it probably works perfectly fine. It was used in the bigger trucks of the day, and that same system was used in Ford intermediate and compact cars from the 60's and through the 70's before rack and pinion steering took over. It was also used in Corvettes to '82.
If you're concerned about parts rubbing, I'd start by taking a good look at how much clearance you have now with your existing setup. If your tires are close now to your pitman arm and drag link, you could have issues. Left turns may be the worst as that puts the tire closer to the frame near the steering linkage. Run the wheel back and forth and see how things work. If it appears you have plenty of room, you may not have problems. Worse case is you get narrower wheels and tires, or a different offset wheels, or last resort, wheel spacers. The benefit of bolt on power steering with minimal modifications could be worth it.
I have that very power steering kit on my 56 and it works well. Or I should say a kit just like that. It was installed by the PO and I think he sourced it from CPP in California. They used to install those types of kits on the Big Job trucks to add power steering.
Mine has the older style Ford/Thompson power steering pump that is monted on a 69 Ford 302. I have (now a new set) of 225 70 R15 tires on the fronts and when I first got the truck during left turns the drivers side front tires rubbed on the sector valve hoses. I adjusted my steering stops slightly to keep that from happening. Every now and then I have to change the seals on the RAM cylinder, but other than that I like it.
I also just rebuilt my whole stock front end. New stock style leaf springs with new spring pins and spring pin bearings, new king pings and bushings. It drives and handles great. It's just when I am turning a tight corner, with a little throttle, I feel the front wheels are " hopping" a little bit. Not terrible or anything. It's just a little annoying. I don't believe it's being caused by the RAM steering though. Maybe wheel bearings. The old ones looked good, they got repacked. The races looked fine too. But might replace them anyway.
That's a cool horn button. I've never seen one before. But yours will be hard to restore, me thinks...
Agreed. My wife is a designer / artist. She said she'd take a crack at it. Gotta figure out how to seperate to insert from the plastic cover. And then possibly try to get a new plastic cover.
Agreed. My wife is a designer / artist. She said she'd take a crack at it. Gotta figure out how to seperate to insert from the plastic cover. And then possibly try to get a new plastic cover.
Would a 53 Ford Jubilee horn button plastic cover fit, if you can get it off....
Thanks for the testimonial and additional details Hooler!
I'm thinking I'll probably go this route...
Yes, I think as long as you want to keep the original front axle, steering components, and steering column its probably the easiest route to go for power assisted steering.
I did a frame up restoration on my 1956 F100. The only modification from stock, is the power steering steering and power brakes. Power brakes were an option, but I have never seen a factory set up. I relocated the booster to the inner fender, similar to the passenger car mounting. Here are some of the challenges. The kit does not come with a pump, and they recommend using the GM pump, but that requires a pressure reducer. I used a pump off of a late 50's early 60's big job (F500-700). I used that pump because it is period correct and has the external cooling coils that go around the outside of the reservoir. You will have to get ends for the hoses that come with the kit to plumb it to your pump. I had a local hose shop do that for me. The kit is supposed to come with a modified pitman arm, but mine did not. I had to get them to send me that, so make sure that is part of the package. The second problem is that the hoses supplied are only single flared and leak. You will have to remove them and get them double flared for a better installation. You can call me at 909-633-8778 if you have questions. You will need the extra pulley to attach to your front pulley. This is easy as you just need to remove the front pulley bolt, then attach the pulley, then install the pulley bolt. Dan
I did a frame up restoration on my 1956 F100. The only modification from stock, is the power steering steering and power brakes. Power brakes were an option, but I have never seen a factory set up. I relocated the booster to the inner fender, similar to the passenger car mounting. Here are some of the challenges. The kit does not come with a pump, and they recommend using the GM pump, but that requires a pressure reducer. I used a pump off of a late 50's early 60's big job (F500-700). I used that pump because it is period correct and has the external cooling coils that go around the outside of the reservoir. You will have to get ends for the hoses that come with the kit to plumb it to your pump. I had a local hose shop do that for me. The kit is supposed to come with a modified pitman arm, but mine did not. I had to get them to send me that, so make sure that is part of the package. The second problem is that the hoses supplied are only single flared and leak. You will have to remove them and get them double flared for a better installation. You can call me at 909-633-8778 if you have questions. You will need the extra pulley to attach to your front pulley. This is easy as you just need to remove the front pulley bolt, then attach the pulley, then install the pulley bolt. Dan
That's great information Dan! I too noticed the single flair hose issue on mine when I order a replacement set from CCP. The hoses the PO installed on mine were worn, so I ordered a replacement set, changed them and they leaked. I should of caught that before I went through that trouble. So that's a great tip you shared!
How did you route your hoses from your sector valve to your RAM and your PS pump?
The PO had mine with the power steering pump hoses running over the frame. Protected with larger sections of hose slid over them. But the hoses from the sector valve to the RAM was a different story, they were hanging and he used a funky hose clamp around the hoses being pulled back with a screen door spring that the far side attached to a leaf spring pack clamp bolt. It looked too cobbled for me so while I had the front leafs out I drilled a hole in the frame bottom rail and used 2 of those rubber cushion claps to hold the RAM hoses up and away.
I would like to do mine better if I could. How did you run yours?
I own several (too many) mid 50's Ford vehicles that use that clamp with the rubber insulators to hold the power steering hoses to the frame. I did the exact same thing. I have a small parts department for my cars and I keep about 500 or so part numbers in stock. I was not pleased about the single flare fittings. CPP assembles this item at their shop in Placentia California, and they are car guys, so they should know you don't use a single flare on a hydraulic fitting. I will take a photo of the routing of the hoses when I get to the shop tomorrow. what pump are you using? The GM pump is a little high pressure for the ram set up. I use Eaton pumps.
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