Agreed, like dmack91 suggested it would be better if you started out with a new thread.


There are several guys around here who have mounted power steering pumps to the flathead and could probably give you some advice. The power steering box of choice is the 79-85 Toyota 4x4 steering box (from trucks with the solid front axle, the independent front suspension 4x4's are different).


Good luck
Bobby

 

Hi, I plan to also put power steering on my 50 Ford F1. No one has clearly shown me how to install the pump and where it would drive from. I have a plan that no one has even suggested. Press out the shaft that holds the fan and have a pulley built that will fit next to the pulley that drives the fan. I won 't know if it will work until I get the engine back on the frame and determine if there will be clear path to where the pump will mount. Still need to find a Toyota steering gear.

 

dmack91,
Thanks for your suggestion. I am looking for the Toyota steering gear; haven't had any luck but will keep looking. I am hoping to put another pulley next to the one that drives the fan. won't know if it will work until I get the engine back on the frame.

 

There will be a kit on Ebay in approx. a week or so that offers P/S pump that will mount on a 50' ford flathead in less than an hour. It is fully assembled; Rebuilt Saginaw Pump with new 5.8" pulley. It includes a 3" alternator pulley that takes a 5/8 belt and 1/2" belt. It is set up for an alternator with the "Y" type mounting bracket. Don't see why it wouldn't work on a generator as well?

 

A good place to "look" for a used Toyota steering box is to search out clubs or groups that do a lot of offroading and/or rock climbing. The early Toy 4x4 truck is very popular, but when heavily lifted the original gearbox doesn't work, so they pull them out and replace it with the newer style box. Many have the old box under a bench on a shelf, or thrown in a corner, and are glad to get rid of it. Don't be afraid of going with a used box, there are near bulletproof. In fact most of the ones sold as "rebuilt" just have the external shaft seals replaced, painted and tested, or quite often are just painted.

 

When I installed my Toyota Steering Box I went with a Manual Toyota unit, sense I didn't want to try to install a pump on the Flat 6. There were some guys on here years ago talking about an Electric Pump possibly being used. But I'm perfectly happy with my manual unit, besides nothing else is power on the truck anyhow....

 

I have just finished the Toyota box conversion on my 55. If the box and various dimensions are the same on your 51 I intend to post a pictorial and article on the complete project.


A quick answer to your question about the original column....it was no hassle at all but I think I can offer you some info to avoid the surprises I had.

 

How much are the Toyota power steering boxes going for now. I've had on sitting on the shelf for 8 years now. Bought it then decided to go with a manual unit .......

 

If they have the hose fittings typically 20.00 -150.00 Mostly around the 100.00 mark.

 

The Toyota seems to be the way to go. There is a pump mounting kit listed on EBay; 1950 Ford F1 V8 Flathead p/s pump kit. This may be something you will need with the Toyota gear.

 

I'll pay $150 and add another $30 for shipping to 76513 (central texas). My e-mail is robtn195@aol.com--thanks

 

I was able to find a 1953 Ford pump on eBay but it was missing the bracket connecting it to the block. Couldn't find one unless I wanted to pay a high price for an entire kit which I did not need. So after designing a three piece bracket using Google's free Sketchup CAD program today we made the brackets using a plasma cutter. They are fascinating to watch as it cuts through 3/16" plate steel with no effort. It took longer to create the CAD drawings and set up the plasma cutter than it did for the machine to cut them out. The most complicated one only took just over 1.5 minutes. Here is the video:



CAD drawing



Finished parts sandblasted and ready for chrome powder coating

Anybody need me to make another set?

 

Pete, got any pictures installed? Not sure if that will work on a Y-Block.

 

Here you go BJ. I finally welded the upper halves together, sandblasted everything and then used ChromeMax powder paint from powderbuythepound.com. I had some powder ordered from Eastwood but they could not fill it because of the fire that they had.


The chrome finish looks a lot better than the picture shows.

 

Pete what belt are you going to use to drive the pump? Also, can you make me a bracket to mount the Jag pump on my Flathead?