I'm aware that power steering was not an option back in the 50's, but it is something I would definately like to have in my 56. Are there specific kits made by Ford for this and if so where can I find one? Most of the stuff i have found is for toyota and others. If Ford doesn't have one that is meant to go into a 56, is there anyone that has added power steering to their's and what did you use?

Bryan

 

'56

You are quite Incorrect about Power Boost Breaking system not being an Option, as I remember viewing several Option Catalogs offering it & Picking through late 40's & 50's FoMoCo products w/ them installed.
I have turned several FTEr's onto a gentleman that indeed has a Power Boost Breaking System package that FoMoCo offord as a straight Bolt-On system.
The only thing that you are required to do is supply your own P/S Pump to go w/ it & pay for the system he has for sale.

Cheers
Flashy
Red '58 Mercury M-100 w/ 223 I-6 & Merc-O-Matic

 

Many people use the Toyota power steering conversion kit. Do a search to see many threads on this subject. John

 

Whjy go through all the un-necessary hacking, cutting & welding w/ the T*#@%a system, when one can Just Bolt the proper FoMoCo style Power Boost Breaking System into place?

 

Just stating alternatives. It's better to consider many opinions and approaches with their associated costs before the project starts. There must be something good about the Toyota conversion that makes it so popular: performance, longevity, cost, appearance, availability??? I haven't done one myself, but several of my buddies have it and I don't know anybody who has the Power Boost Breaking System. Good luck, John

 

Is the power boost breaking system for steering? I figured it was an extra for the brake system, or am I just misunderstanding?
Bryan

 

Well when I installed the Toyota box in my 53, I didn't have to cut or weld anything just had to drill 4 or 5 holes. The hardest part was getting the high pressure hose made. Besides that it was a snap and works great.

 

Power steering was an option on the big 56 ford trucks, F350, F800, Cab
over etc. Not an option on F100 trucks because they were light duty.
But I am sure if you had enough money in 1956 the dealership would gladly
put it on the F100 truck then laugh and call you a wimp for not driving
like a man. Ford called it Master Guide Power Steering. You can see
pictures of it in the 56 ford maintenance manual and original parts
catalog. I am restoring a 56 f100 long bed with 1956 period equipment
options, power steering, overdrive, the best parts of the fifties, etc.
It's a lot harder to do this than hot rod you're truck. Because the
parts are just not easy to find. You can't go to Autozone and get the
parts you need. I had to order a reproduction power ram steering unit
from Classic performance because I could not find an original one. It
took about three months to get it because they only build them on
demand and cost $1000. It looks real close to original with no modification to
the truck required. I am going to install it this weekend and see how
well the steering works. I searched for a month for the special
bracket and crank shaft accessory pulley needed to mount the Eaton power
steering pump to the Y block. I found these on a 1955 mercury parts car
for $200. The pump is fairly easy to find the bracket and pulley isn't.
I recommend re building you're original steering box first to take up
any extra play. So if you want it original it's going to cost twice as
much as Toyota steering. It all depends on how you want you're truck to
look. For the average f100 I would use the Toyota. I went with the hard
to find stuff because long bed trucks are hard to find. My formula for
deciding on customizing is how rare the automobile is and if it's
already customized.

Power Ram Steering Info
http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a.../Ford-F100-Pow
er-Steering.htm

Ford Video Advertisement for Master Guide Power Steering
http://www.yale.edu/amstud/r66/ch7.html

 

Master Guide Power Steering System is what I meant to write.
Excuse me, my mistake, I was rather tired when I posted the message.

 

Ehhhhhh, Wrong!
My '57, '58, '59 & '60 FoMoCo Shop Manuels, Ford/Mercury Parts & Accessaries Catalog & Ford Product & Merchandising Newsletter, Vol. 4 No. 5T January, 1958. Model F-100 thru F-350, Suggested List $118.50.
ALL these list the Master Guide P/S System as an Option for the F-100 & M-100 Trucks.

 

Hi Mr Flashman

Maybe you should look in the 56 truck book before you call people wrong . Your web site is for cars not trucks.

From the manual:

A linkage-type power steering system is available as standard equipment for T-700, T-750 and T-800 trucks,and as optional equipment for B-750, C-750, F-750, C-800, F-800, C-900, and F-900 trucks.

By the way you were talking about 57-60 trucks not the same as 56.

Have a fun day

Chuck

 

Hi, Mr. Chuck;

I did Not post a Web Site for anything, sir, Old Blue '56 did, please point fingers in the correct direction next before chastizing someone.
And the '56 F-100's thru F-350's that I looked at in bone yards, about half had P/S installed or what was left after they had been picked over.
And even the Shop Manual that I have for the '56 F-100 thru F-350 Trucks lists that P/S is an Option for these models, the same as the '57 thru '60 ones do.
Actually a certain amount of parts from the '56 Model trucks were used on the '57 model trucks. I have found that in writing, viewing it for myself & after talking w/ former FoMoCo employees that dealt w/ them on a regular basis.

Have a fun day, yourself.

Cheers
Colonel Flashman

 

So if I just go to an old truck yard i might be able to find a power steering kits in an old 56? If so, that'd help a whole bunch. Bryan

 

'56

It is possible if you look hard enough.

Though let me look thru my meried amounts of parts, I just might still have an almost complete one here abouts. No promisses though.

Colonel Flashman
Red '58 Mercury M-100 w/ 223 & Merc-O-Matic

 

Flashman
That would be awesome! If you can find something that might work, I would be most appreciative. I'll check around in my neck of the woods for parts too and see what I can come up with.

Bryan