Adding power steering question.

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May 13, 2008 | 09:55 PM

ynkstr

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Joined: Mar 2008

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Adding power steering question.

I just bought a 66 Ford F100 and it has a 390 transplanted in it.
I would like to add Power Steering. Can anyone help me with what actual parts I would need? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks, Bob

May 13, 2008 | 10:16 PM

bigblockford_390

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Joined: Jul 2006

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From: East Helena MT

Quote:

Originally Posted by ynkstr

Go buy yourself a 70 to 76 donor truck, either a F-100 or F-250 two wheel drive with a 360 or 390 engine. The 76 was the last year of the "FE" engine in the Ford pickups. That way you can remove the mounting brackets for the engine and get the power steering pump and gear box. 67 to 69 will work but there is a chance those had the non-preferred power steering box. You will also need the steering column, as the power steering gear box is longer and you will need the shorter column. The mounting bracket on the steering column is on the top on your 66 while the newer trucks are on the bottom. You have to choices, leave it and put spacers and longer bolts, or cut it off and re-weld back on the top like your 66. I just used spacers and longer bolts for mine.

I would even try and get a 73-76 that way you can take the front disk brakes along with the power steering.

You will also have extra engine parts, transmission parts and you can sell everything else off and make your money back on the cost to buy the donor truck, heck you might even make more money. This will save you a lot of trips to the salvage yard.

Just my thought, as I have done that to get the parts on my old truck. All of the parts are a direct bolt on.

Jeff

May 14, 2008 | 11:58 AM

daveengelson

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Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 6,305

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From: Boulder Creek, Ca

There is another Ford truck forum with an article on 'how to install power steering in a 65-72 F100', unfortunately, protocol prevents me from posting the site. There is also an article in the same site on 'how to shorten a steering column'. If 4 speed should be able to use original column but swap with shorter steering shaft. Anyhow, should be able to locate site if you google under '67-72 pickup resource' or on the article title. If unable to locate, pm me.

With upgrade on my 65F100 went to 'pic n pull', or salvage yard, and found a pickup with engine in same family and removed everything related to the power steering: steering box, brackets, pulleys, and most importantly the 2-3 sheeve, or groved damper, or harmonic balance. With regards to the column, either can shorten existing, or salvage later model column and I would swap brackets where column mounts to dash, only few tack wells holding them on and will not need to use spacers. I have a 4 speed so column not an issue. Try and get everthing the first go around, don't know who many extra pulleys due to repeat salvage runs.

Found the front disc brake upgrade great, with the power steering upgrade even better.

May 14, 2008 | 04:21 PM

jhooch

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Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,518

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From: Spokane, WA

I wanted to keep my original column in my '66 LWB so I am using the Bendix 66-68 steering box. No mods to the column needed. My '68 F100 Ranger parts truck has this setup so I have a core plus all the pump hoses etc. I would have liked to use the later Ford box but didn't want to mess with modifying my column. Mine is an original auto on column. I am actually installing the gearbox today so I will post pics.