Power Steering Upgrade
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 1999
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Power Steering Upgrade
Does anyone have any info on putting a power steering pump on a stock '55 Y-block? I want power steering but I also want to keep the stock engine. All the kits I've seen require you to use a late model motor. Thanks for the help.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
Power Steering Upgrade
Don't know for sure but suspect the pump from any 57 to 62 y-block vehicle may bolt up to your 55. The pump bolts to the water pump which may require you to use a later model pump if yours does not have the large threaded fitting at about the 1 o'clock position. The bigger challenge would be adapting the tie rod valve and slave cylinder to your steering linkage. Definitly will require some research and homework before dropping $ and pulling parts. Good Luck.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
Power Steering Upgrade
>Mulletwagon,
>I've done some leg work and I
>think I've got the tie rod/drag
>link figured out. What condition
>is your pump in? Do
>you have the hoses and such?
> How much would you want?
> Thanks.
>Don
Don,
Long since out of the y-block scene. Some info I can pass along. The power steering system Ford used back in the 50s consisted of the pump, the tie rod valve, and a slave cylinder that attached to the center of the tie rod and the frame, plus a total of four hoses. By comparison to today's systems, it was not very good. One plus is that the steering box for power and standard systems was often the same. Power steering in trucks was pretty rare back then. A donor would be a lucky find. If you want to try and adapt a system to your truck you may want to determine if the tie rod/valve assembly from a 57-64 car can be modified and utilized. Will also need to know if a usuable pitman arm exists. Another alternative would be to try and utilize the steering box from a 65 or later vehicle and the pump from the earlier system. Neither route is simple. The only word of caution is do it right. Needless to say, steering is critical to the safe operation of your truck. This may be in the "too hard to handle" category.
>I've done some leg work and I
>think I've got the tie rod/drag
>link figured out. What condition
>is your pump in? Do
>you have the hoses and such?
> How much would you want?
> Thanks.
>Don
Don,
Long since out of the y-block scene. Some info I can pass along. The power steering system Ford used back in the 50s consisted of the pump, the tie rod valve, and a slave cylinder that attached to the center of the tie rod and the frame, plus a total of four hoses. By comparison to today's systems, it was not very good. One plus is that the steering box for power and standard systems was often the same. Power steering in trucks was pretty rare back then. A donor would be a lucky find. If you want to try and adapt a system to your truck you may want to determine if the tie rod/valve assembly from a 57-64 car can be modified and utilized. Will also need to know if a usuable pitman arm exists. Another alternative would be to try and utilize the steering box from a 65 or later vehicle and the pump from the earlier system. Neither route is simple. The only word of caution is do it right. Needless to say, steering is critical to the safe operation of your truck. This may be in the "too hard to handle" category.
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