Wonder if anyone can clear up question regarding the Bendix power steering units.

(1) If i understand threads on the issue, the easiest method of converting to power steering on 65 f100 w/ 3 on column would be to try and locate a Bendix unit. There would not be an issue about steering column.

(2) Have access to 66 f250 camper special w/ power steering, and auto trans. Thought perhaps it may be a Bendix unit, but appearance wise, has same markings and looks to be same size as standard power steering unit w/ the fomoco/ford logo. If Bendix unit, will their logo be stamped on the casing, or easily identifiable?

(3) Lastly, is trying to locate one in a salvage yard an exercise in futility? Imagine someone remanufacters them for an arm and a leg. If unlikely to find in salvage yard, and if question # 1 is true, then may be worth the arm and leg. Any referral for souce would be appreciated.

Greatful for any input,
dave

 

Stude51 has a good pictures of the Bendix vs the Saginaw(Ford) box.
E-mail him for details.

I just did this swap with a Bendix Box this summer, and am pleased with it. The installation was a straight bolt up, as well.

I'll post some more info about it in a little while.

 

Thank you Banjo,

It appears easiest to search for Bendix remanufacturer. If i can pick one up for couple hundred bucks, or so, may be cheaper in the long run. Quite some distance to travel for me to nearest bone yard. Early model ford trucks becoming far and few. Looking at making another yard run in few days, likely long time before another. If unsuccessful, almost certain will go thru supplier.

If anyone has supplier rec's, it would be appreciated. Looking for quality, not price.

Thanx,
dave

 

They're still out there; I found two, had one rebuilt and kept a spare. The hard part is the rebuild. There is no kit available. I found a steering specialist who gleaned the required parts from various sources.
Eric

 

ebay has one at auction right now. remanufactured by professional. starts at 295 dollars. jim

 

Hey Banjo can you shoot some picts of the difrent boxes and post them in your gallery that way we all can see what to look for in the bone yards.

 

Reallly appreciate the info.

Will make last ditch effort to locate unit in salvage yard next couple day. Auto Krafters was no help. There is a local auto parts store who indicate they have supplier that can get the unit, but need to check if core manditory. Will follow up tomorrow. Also posted on web site with ford truck salvage locater. Intend to trac the ebay unit, possible option if there is no bidding, and that is not likely.

Thanx again for the input,
dave

 

the current price of 295 ain't bad considering no core charge. i bought one a few years ago from advance auto parts and the core charge then was 150. good luck in your hunt. jim

 

Dave: Here is an article I wrote. Hope it helps!

Brackets: On an FE, you can use the power steering pump brackets, pump and crank pulley from any FE engine, in any Ford car or truck. The FE was phased out of trucks in '76; not sure about the cars but I think it was the same year. There were several types of bracket setups, so try to get a complete set of brackets from the same motor or vehicle. The different setups don't mix and match, but as long as they are a complete set, you can put them on any FE engine. There are usually 3 pieces to the earlier sets, and 2 to the later sets. Don't forget to pull the crank pulley and the crankshaft dampener while you are at it.
(I'm not familiar with the 6 cyl engines, but I assume the brackets and pulleys will interchange from model to model.)

Pump: This one is pretty universal. It to can come from any car or truck, but you may have to make several trips to the parts store to get the correct hoses and fittings. If you can get it off the same vehicle you get the brackets from, get the hoses as well, even if the pump and hoses are bad. You can use the pump for a match up, and a core. Same for the hoses.

So much for the easy part.

Power Steering Gearbox: There was only one type used on the '65 and '66 - the Bendix made box. The Bendix box is very hard to find, is weak, prone to failure, and very expensive to have remanufactured. I found several companies who would sell me a remanufactured one without a core, but they wanted about $600 by the time all was said and done. (Note: This Bendix box was only used on Ford trucks, not on any other vehicle. They used it on F-100s up to '69, but used it less and less as Ford phased in their proprietary box.) Also, note that the Bendix box has the same dimensions as the manual gearbox. This is why the auto and the manual transmission columns are the same length '65 and '66.
Ford started using their used their own P/S box in '67, and used it exclusively from '69 to '79. It is robust and heavy duty, but is two inches longer than the Bendix. The Ford box will bolt right up to all '65 and '66s, but it will interfere with the stock steering column. See below on steering columns.

Steering column:
The steering column length is the same for manual and auto transmissions with or without power steering '65 and '66. If you wish to use your stock column, you will need to
a. Cut it about 2.5 inches shorter (then weld the rag joint coupler back on if an auto column, or re-build the shifter mechanism if standard AND then weld the coupler joint back on) to accommodate the longer Ford made P/S gearbox; or
b. Use the Bendix made P/S gearbox.

If you use the Ford P/S gearbox, you can use a '67 to '79 steering column from a truck with P/S. You will need to relocate the dash support bracket on the column (cut two spot welds then re-weld in the correct position for the dash in the '66), and fiddle with the wiring to get it right, but otherwise it is a bolt in. You can even use a tilt column from '78 and '79 trucks.
Unfortunately, there were VERY few trucks made with P/S and a three on the tree column. I know. I have been looking for one for about five years now.

So, if you have a 3 on the tree, you will find it best to put in a '67 or later column and out your shifter on the floor.

In summary:
Bendix Box:
Advantages: Exact bolt in, no changes to steering column.
Disadvantages: High cost, short service life.

Ford Box:
Advantages: Inexpensive, reliable, durable, easily available.
Disadvantages; Requires steering column alterations

Options using the Ford P/S box: (Remember, these columns must come from a truck with power steering!)
1. Manual transmission, column shift:
a. Get really really lucky and find a good '67 or later tree-shifted P/S column - except that now my Houdini hypnotizing powers will now overtake you and you will sell it to me. Proceed next to option "B".
b. Shorten shift column - hard to do correctly.
c. Use '67 or later column for floor shifted transmission. Put shifter on the floor.
2. Manual transmission, floor shift - use '67 or later column for floor shifted transmission. (You could also use a tree-shift column, and just disconnect the linkages.)

3. Auto transmission: Use an automatic transmission column from a '67 or later truck.

Hope this isn't too confusing, and that it helps!

 

I have posted some pictures of the Bendix and Ford power steering columns and steering boxes.
These pics are not my own.

 

Really appreciatea the info. from everyone

Banjo, again you have pretty much summed it all up. Prefer to keep 3 on column. other 65 f100 has floor shift. There is a reputable weld shop in the area so will discuss shortening column. If willing to do at reasonable prices then will go with the ford p/s. Already have couple entire ford power steering units.

thanx again,
dave

 

Banjo,

Quick question since the subject is here. I've got a 4 on the floor set up. So all I would have to do (other than getting the parts) to use the Ford ps box is shorten the column and weld the coupler back on? Or would I have to relocate the dash mount as well?

65 F100 CC

 

ZS: As far as the steering column goes, you can use your stock no-shift column with the Ford (Saginaw) PS box just by shortening the shaft.
You only have to relocate the column bracket if you use a '67 or later steering column.

By the way, I forgot to mention the following:
If upgrading to the Ford box on a '65 to '69 with FE motor, you will find it necessary to use the drivers' side engine perch from a truck with FE, which had PS. The FE perch has to be modified to allow the longer bulk of the Ford box to fit. The correct perch sweeps back toward the engine, rather than sticking out straight from the side rail.

 

By the way, I want to give credit where credit is due. While I was researching this issue of Bendix vs Ford power steering boxes, I had the immensely invaluable help from this site.
Especially jowilker.
Thanks to his guidance (and others, too) he saved me lot of money and time. My PS conversion with the Bendix box went straight forward and bolted right in without a hitch.
I didn't buy anything I didn't need, and I had everything I needed when I swapped it out.
Thanks again, for all those who helped me out - now I'm passing it on.

 

a couple of weeks ago i was working on the steering column modification necessary to convert from non ps to ps in a 65 ford with a 4 speed. all that was required was the disassembly of the factory steering column and removing 3 inches from the center of the steering shaft by a machinist , rewelding and turning the column down to the right diameter reassembling and reinstalling the column. piece of cake. jim