Okay guys my 1951 F1 has a mustang II setup and I am replacing the Buick motor with a 5.0 and C4. It has power steering with assistance from a chevy pump. How bad is the manual steering setup.... I thinking about a new rack and was wondering the pros and cons of going with a manual rack....

 

I had a manual rack on my street rod, mustang II, changed it to power with chevy pump. The difference I saw was less road vibration up to the steering wheel with power. Easy to parllel park with power. More space used up with pump and hoses and more flued leaks as mine was a used unit . Steering is allmost to quick in a light weight street rod. A truck it may be better . Would I go power again? Yes. The manual steered easy, but not as sensitive as you turn, and maybe safer in a light vehical.

 

What is wrong with the rack you have? Was your pump from a vehicle that uses R&P steering? The Mustang R&P requires a lower pressure than a recirculating ball steering box. If you use a pump from a RB box with a R&P the steering may feel too quick and sensitive. If that's your problem, you could switch pumps to a lower pressure R&P pump (and possibly stop your leaking problems at the same time) or put an adjustable PS pressure regulator in the line. You say your steering was used, does that mean you have an OEM mustang II IFS in your truck? Does it have a lower control arm with a single pivot and a strut going back to a bracket on the frame?

 

I assume your question was directed to me rather than 'gt40racing', as I was the one complaining about the problems. It is a new ' HEIDTS' with the strut arms. It's been in the car about ten years but not driven much. IT's not in a truck, it's in a 34 sedan. I installed a used power rack just to see if I would like it. so that problem is easy to fix with a new one which is what the plan is. The pump is a used G M with the pressure restrictor valve in it . It's still quick,would an adjustable regulator in the line such as the one made for power brakes work as I have one of those i'm not using? Or should I just buy all new rack and pump ?

 

I have had Power and Manual on my '56 with Chevy pump + Heidt's Flow Control Valve. The Power Rack has an extremely quick ratio whereas the Manual has a more forgiving ratio. I have a good amount of caster in my setup as a lot of people do. With the Power being quick ratio + Chevy pump; I found that it was twitchy at highways speeds to the point where you better be watching what you were doing all of the time. If I cranked down on the Heidt's flow; then it was like having nearly no PS when stopped. I switched to Manual and , altho it is somewhat "heavy' when stopped, I like it a lot better on the highway....it handles very well.
You may be ok with the Ford pump as they are suppose to be properly pressured and may make a difference.

 

I Experience the exact same things,with the flow valve you discribed. I thought my car was just to light in front,34 chev with v/6 engine. I may just go back to manual.