power steering questions
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From: waco
power steering questions
I usualy come to FTE with questions and answers about 48 to 79 model trucks because that is what I have always had. This time around I bought a 41 business coupe and I have some questions and I wasn't sure where else to go.
I want to build this car to be comfortable to drive. So far I have the front of the car stripped down to the bare frame rails. I bought a disk break kit that has the same lug nut pattern as the late model Ranger rear end that has disk breaks that I have to use for the rear. I disassembeled the front leaf spring, cleaned and painted it, then reassembeled it using the plastic liner between the leaves. I also removed the front crossmember that the I beam bolts to and replaced it with a cross member that will lower the car 3". I also bought a new king pin set for it. I think I can pretty much figure out how to mount some power breaks on the fire wall. Other plans call for a late model F.I. small block and 5 speed.
I would also like to add power steering but I don't have a clue as to what gear box to use, or how to mount it. Does any one have any ideas on this? I also welcome any and all comments and suggestions on this project.
I want to build this car to be comfortable to drive. So far I have the front of the car stripped down to the bare frame rails. I bought a disk break kit that has the same lug nut pattern as the late model Ranger rear end that has disk breaks that I have to use for the rear. I disassembeled the front leaf spring, cleaned and painted it, then reassembeled it using the plastic liner between the leaves. I also removed the front crossmember that the I beam bolts to and replaced it with a cross member that will lower the car 3". I also bought a new king pin set for it. I think I can pretty much figure out how to mount some power breaks on the fire wall. Other plans call for a late model F.I. small block and 5 speed.
I would also like to add power steering but I don't have a clue as to what gear box to use, or how to mount it. Does any one have any ideas on this? I also welcome any and all comments and suggestions on this project.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I've had a few old Ford passenger cars and none had PS. I think you will find that the lighter weight of the car and smaller front tires as opposed to a truck will make a lot of difference. Two older Fords I had were converted to MII front suspensions and used manual rack and pinion. A 34 Plymouth I had used a Nova clip and did have PS. With the original front suspension you are pretty limited as to what you can do with PS. There might be some kind of kit around that allows the use of a later model PS box like a GM605 or something like that but I am not familiar with one. I remember some kits for mid 60s Ford Mustang manual boxes being used on old Fords years ago and if you could find a Lincoln PS box of that vintage, something like that might work...
Vern
Vern
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From: waco
Thanks for the information Vern. I may leave the manual steering for a while to see how it works. I honestly don't remember driving a car with manual steering. The last vehicle I drove with arm strong steering was a 73 F250 with a 390. It was pretty tough at low speeds, but then again it was probably twice as heavy.
Mike
Mike
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Orange County, CA
There are a variety of kits available for adding power steering to the '40 Ford. Check out Chassis Engineering, I believe. It's a pretty simple procedure, they provide either an adaptor or and new piece that will replace the original steering box mount. They typically use a GM PS box. The Mustang ones are hard to come by now, that steering box has lost favor as the steering box to use.
