Power steering pump on a flathead

[yellowf100]

I know there has been some discussion on here before about putting a power steering pump on to a flathead, heard all the issues of the two companies that advertised mounts but never delivered the goods, so we took it as a challenge to come up with a mount for a mid 80s FORD pump that not only worked but looked somewhat factory, now we installed a NO LIMIT power rack and pinion kit onto the straight axle, (that we highly reccomend,) which is also a late model FORD rack, onto a 52 F1 pick up that all ready had a disc brake conversion, i know some purist would not approve but the owner likes to drive this truck and with the old but refurbished steering it just was a bear to turn and wandered all over the road, now goes straight down the highway and he can turn the wheel with one finger, so any body thinking of this conversion go for it, the mount was not difficult to make at all, check out the pics...

 

[toby]

Great job!!! I'd love to see how your power rack was installed. I have been thinking of doing that. Any kits out there or is it a do it yourself fab?

 

[columbiA]

If the original steering is properly rebuilt & aligned,it wil steer amazingly well.

 

[yellowf100]

Great job!!! I'd love to see how your power rack was installed. I have been thinking of doing that. Any kits out there or is it a do it yourself fab?

the actual rack kit was from NO LIMIT ENG. it uses a late model ford rack and mounts to the axle by two machined aluminum clamp blocks,awesome kit, only issue is no body has available mount kits for the flathead, all these aftermarket companies think every one uses the other brand engine and mounts pumps are available in every color you want, we even used the original steering column, as the kit included a bearing and adaptor to do so

 

[40cpe]

I would like to see the flexible joint that connects the column to the rack and pinion.

 

[Shadetree]

I took these photos last summer at a car show. I believe it was a `53 Ford sedan. I had never see power steering on a flathead before. The reservoir is bigger than the oil filter.

 

[yellowf100]

I would like to see the flexible joint that connects the column to the rack and pinion.

there is a dd universal joint on the column adaptor that hooks to a 3/4" dd shaft that slides into a dd tube that has a universal at the rack so as the truck moves up and down the the shaft slides in and out simple but very effective and well thought out

 

[charles in east texas]

I have 3 1953 fords and they all have the original type power steering on them. They work great. Charles

 

[gearhead1952]

Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Toolman1]

I have 3 1953 fords and they all have the original type power steering on them. They work great. Charles

Can I get some good detail photos, please?

 

[GaryU.]

Think you should sent a PM to Charles as this thread is 7 plus years old. Feels good to know that Fordbarn is still around though.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

This is the component layout for the '53 power steering installation.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Can I get some good detail photos, please?

The factory original power steering in my 53' Merc. Same as the Fords except he plate that mounts to the frame on the passenger side.

The first picture shows everything you will need to put factory original PS in your car. The hardest part to find is the triple pulley, shown in picture 6.

 

[deuce_roadster]

Merc Cruizer, Thanks. 30 years ago I had a 53 Merc with power steering and a MercOmatic but I don't remamber anything about the pump or where it mounted, or what it even looked like. At the top of this thread I was thinking there was stock equipment to put power steering on a flathead.

 

[1948F-1Pickup]

Looks like the Bendix ram and control valve and an Eaton pump, similar to the '65 Mustang setup. I found the Bendix patent application and diagrams online a few years ago, so that basic setup definitely goes back to the 40's.

 

[Ol' Ron]

I installed a PS system on my truck using a 610 box from an s-10 pickup. I drove the pump with a serpentine belt that also ran the Alternator. I'll look for the pics

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Looks like the Bendix ram and control valve and an Eaton pump, similar to the '65 Mustang setup. I found the Bendix patent application and diagrams online a few years ago, so that basic setup definitely goes back to the 40's.

Early T birds too.

I have included a few of pictures of the factory PS unit in my wife's 1970 Cougar.....look familiar?

 

[Toolman1]

Great. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[flatsforever]

Merc Cruzer, is the info in your post an indication that all the 1953 Ford p/s parts are directly adaptable to the 1949 - 51 cars? The 1953 suspension and linkage looks to be virtually identical.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Merc Cruzer, is the info in your post an indication that all the 1953 Ford p/s parts are directly adaptable to the 1949 - 51 cars? The 1953 suspension and linkage looks to be virtually identical.

Not sure if it is "directly adaptable" to the suspension and linkage, the guys with the 49'-51' cars would better be able to answer that. The mounting point for the ram on the car may differ. And the linkage may not be the right length.

I know there is a difference between the plate that mounts on the passenger side frame. When I bought the setup for my 53' Merc, I didn't know that it had come off a Ford. When I went to mount the plate on the passenger side frame, it hung down about an inch. I was able to get the correct Mercury NOS bracket from Green Sales ($20). The pictures show the difference between the two brackets. A simple visual is that the Ford bracket has only one hole that mounts to the bottom of the frame and the Mercury bracket has two. They both have two holes that mount to the side of the frame. That was the only thing I had to change.

Ford # AB-3351-C, Mercury # MA-8351-C

But as to the engine mounts, I would say yes.