I have a '66 with a 352. I have finished rebuilding the engine and have purchased an automatic transmission to put in it, but I have had a real problem finding a steering column. Any thoughts? I also have purchased power steering (does this make a difference?).

I know I can buy a new one modified to fit, but would prefer to not spend $800 on this part.

What years of F100 could I use to salvage from?

Thanks!

 

Casey:
The steering column to use depends upon your fabricating ability and the type of power steering setup you have purchased. There are 2 factory designed options, the Bendix, used '65 - about '69 or '70, and the Ford (sometimes referred to as Saginaw).
If you have the Bendix, an original '65'/'66 automatic steering column will bolt right in, and the wiring will connect up correctly without modifications. (PS: I have one for sale, PM me if you are interested.)
If you have the later Ford system, from '70 to '79, since the PS is larger, and sits up closer to the cab, you will need to shorten a factory column, or use the shorter Ford designed column.
You have 2 choices here: A power steering automatic column used '70 - '72 will bolt up with only very minor changes. Or, a power steering column from a '73 - '79 can be made to work with only a little trouble, but doesn't look as nice under the dash unless you can make a covering, as it is all exposed. Pinouts for the wiring need to be changed, but this isn't hard, just a little time consuming.
Also, and I do not know if this has been addressed yet, but if you are using the Ford power steering, you will need to change the driver's side engine perch, and may need to remove the exhaust heat riser valve on the driver's side manifold.
You need to change the perch because the power steering gearbox interferes with it. You can either notch the original one, or, you can get one from a '70 - '76 truck that had an FE engine, either 360 or 390. It will bolt right in to the existing hole sin your truck's frame, but is shaped differently.

 

Great info! I bought the power steering setup from a neighbor who had it on his '65.

I do know that it bolts right onto the frame exactly like the old manual steering box did, but it is higher up, so the column would have to be shorter than the one I took out (if all that makes sense). I think this might tell me that it is the later Ford system like you mention.

I am not attached to any method or the power steering box I have now. It seems like to me that I might be easier to go the route which would produce the easiest to find steering column. It sounds nice to go with the Bendix and get a 65/66 auto column, but I have not been able to find one! I doubt too many were made.

 

An easy way to tell the difference is to notice the differences in the top. The Bendix has an aluminum/zinc top with 4 bolts, and the Ford has an iron top with 2 bolts.
Top is defined as the end opposite the Pitman arm, not the input shaft.
The Bendix system has a bad reputation for overheating, leaking and being squirrely at highway speeds. I had on in my truck so that I could use the manual shift column, but then switched to the later system when I went with an automatic, much like you are doing. I do not recall having any problems, If I remember correctly, the biggest motivator was to sell to someone who wanted it more than I, and who was looking for originality.

 

1965's had no power steering option at all...not factory nor dealer installed.

Whatever box was used...was not there originally.

Look on the sector shaft cover for an ID number, post what it is.

It could be C6AR-3580-A or HCE-E, G or SPA-followed by several different letter suffixes.

Bendix P/S: 1966/68 F100/250 2WD and 1969 F100/250 2WD before serial number D96,001.

Ford P/S: 1969 F100/250 2WD & F350 (**) from serial number D96,001, 1970 and later F100/350 2WD / 1978 and later F100/350 4WD.

** Prior to serial number D96,001, F350's were not available with P/S of any kind.

If the column in the '65 appears to be from a 1965/66, be aware that the same 3 spoke steering wheel and horn button or horn ring was used on 1961/70 F100/250 2WD's / 1967/70 F100/350 2WD's.

 

I will have to look up the tag this weekend. I am certain it is a later Ford P/S.

I found a guy on craigslist that has a steering column from a 70s bronco. It was for an automatic w/ power steering. He says it is one the year before they put the ignition in the column. It has tilt.

Any thoughts as to if I can get this column to work. He is asking $75.

 

THAT is a good buy. I would get it. It should bolt up easily enough, and the pinouts are not hard to rearrange.

 

The price is right, but the column is not be the same, as all Bronco's are 4WD.

It could be a column for an A/T, or it could be for an M/T. The lower steering shaft and coupler assy is 4WD only.

 

So it is a no go? Can't make it work? He did tell me it was a column for an A/T, but I am working with a 2WD.

 

4WD's have a lower steering shaft & coupler assy. 1978/79's are a one piece assembly with no replaceable parts except the rag joint.

2WD's have a one piece lower steering column shaft.

 

Just curious which one of the boxes that Rock Auto is selling as a remanufactured unit? It is produced by A1-Cardone and they have the same p/N for 1969 as they do for a 76. Here's a link with pics..... Part's Image

 

If '69 is the same as '76, it's Ford P/S. The word rebuilt is a mis-nomer, as most of these so-called rebuilt gearboxes are resealed, not rebuilt.

The two seal kits (input and output shaft) are available from Ford and fit myriad passenger cars (1965/2002) and F Series trucks (1969 after serial # D96,001, 1970/96).

redheadsteeringgears.com is the only company I know of that sells rebuilt Ford P/S gearboxes, correcting the flaw that all Ford P/S gearboxes had.

 

And I can confirm they sell quality units, but you do pay for that($325). I just bought one for my Excursion, and it is nice.

I also will throw in.... You, or at least I, don't have to change the perch. I was able to grind a little off the perch and the gearbox. That along with the slop in the bolt holes allowed mine to bolt in. It's close, but doesn't touch. I also shortened my column which isn't as hard as it sounds, but buying one setup to bolt in is a better option I think.

 

Most autoparts stores get at least $150.00 for a so-called rebuilt Ford integral P/S gearbox...but all it really is...is resealed.

The seal kits are available from Ford (there are two, input [F3AZ3E502A] & output shaft [D7AZ3E501B]), the total MSRP for both is $43.21.

From FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM, the discounted price for both kits is $31.55. PartsGuyEd is Horizon Ford in Seattle (Tukwila) WA

These two seal kits fit 1965 and later passenger cars, 1969 (from serial # D96,001) and later F100/350 2WD's, 1978 and later 4WD's, including Bronco's and a gazillion other vehicles.

 

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