power steering on 55 ford customline

I

Indyearl

Member
well I know I'm about to blow up the forum,
I just completed a power steering upgrade on my 55 ford customeline.
It was a unit from a 2007 Saturn Vue. Yes electric power steering assist.
took awhile to get the angles correct and the column the correct length but been driving it all summer and l really like it.
This car was mostly original when I got it with a custom interior so I didn't feel any problems in making the change. I also converted the vehicle to 12 volt neg ground for ease of up grades. Had the gages converted over and changed all the bulbs and completely rewired the vehicle because the original wiring was just falling apart. The only thing I haven't figured out yet is how to get the horn to work from the horn ring in the steering wheel. Right not I have the horn connected to the cigarette lighter button. push in the lighter and the horn blows. pretty trick I think. Had to adapt the lighter to not lock down but that was not too hard..
 
I don’t think it will blow up, it’s been discussed here before. Any details you can provide about the column modifications (lower bearing, shaft mods, supports, shift linkage) would probably be appreciated by those thinking about this. It has been posted before by another member, but more is always better.

The horn mechanism is available, they can normally be made to work. And unless you really lean on it the relay and horns will work fine on 12volts. Really loud, which is needed today when the character has earbuds in while he’s talking instead of driving.
 
well when I get some time ie weekend. I'll try to get some pics and further explanations.
yes i tried that horn kit. just couldn't seem to get it to work property
 
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It’s been close to 20 years since I did the horn contact stuff and my memory is foggy. But I remember having to fiddle with something to get it to work. Hopefully someone with a better memory will chime in. Clever with the lighter though.
 
Indyearl said:
well I know I'm about to blow up the forum,
I just completed a power steering upgrade on my 55 ford customeline.
It was a unit from a 2007 Saturn Vue. Yes electric power steering assist.
took awhile to get the angles correct and the column the correct length but been driving it all summer and l really like it.
Click to expand...

I'm right there with ya. Adapted Saturn EPS to my '54 and I couldn't be happier! The car drives and steers like my wife's Lexus!
 
Fred inn the case of the column shift I had to cut it make a 90degree turn for about 4 inches make another 90 degree turn for about 12 inches to clear the Saturn Vue steering assist make another 90 degree turn for the same length as the first then a fourth 90 degree turn to align with the original shaft. making sure it was in the correct orientation to set in the column shift bracket lever. Took some time and patience but not hard just tedious. Ha Ha.
Vehicle was originally Manual Steering. and just for giggles I purchased a repo 57 Thunderbird steering in 15 inch for looks and ease of getting in and out the vehicle. Ha Ha Old age and expanding waist iline... LOL
 
The only difficult or tedious part of this project was the mounting bracket ;for the Vue steering assist assembly. Had to make if by hand put it in about a 100 time to get the angle correct and mount it to the brake peddle support. I wish I had taken some pics as I was doing this install as I'm sure more persons would attempt this seeing the reward it give you. No hose to leak, no expensive power steering pump to locate and install, under hood appears to be all stock, supreme driving and parking pleasure.
Entire project cost under $200 and evintho is correct the driving experience just short of awesome.
 
Indyearl... good job , I did that install on my 50 chevy pickup , works great,, mine was auto on the floor Was wondering about the column shift, I supose your linkage set up could also work for standard on the column Fred
 
fast fredy said:
Indyearl... good job , I did that install on my 50 chevy pickup , works great,, mine was auto on the floor Was wondering about the column shift, I supose your linkage set up could also work for standard on the column Fred
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Yes mine was auto on the column. just had to put a bend in it. Hardest part was getting the angle correct so the shifter would shift correctly. Little guest work and a little luck got in and shifts fine..
 
well got bad news this weekend. the 272 is shot.. guest the top end hasn't been getting any oil for awhile. it still runs but back fires and misses out horribly. very little compression in cylinder 8 and bad value ticking. So I've decided to upgrade to a 302 auto. thinking that will make upgrades later easier and the 302 seems to have a great third party support for go fast parts later or just bling for looks.. I know there are threads here somewhere to show how some else had done this, if someone would enlighten me to there location I would be most appreciative.
 
Depends on what you are looking for as an end result. Quiet cruiser or a tire shredder. A 302 can deliver either version.
 
Your best start is to go over and join the HAMB, do a short introduction, then go join the

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/social-forums/1952-59-ford-social-group.282/

52-59 Ford social group. I’m pretty sure you’ve got to sign in to use this.

Run a search. You’ll find everything from dropping in a mild 302 with an auto, to an FE with a 6 speed, and which rearend fits best when the FE blows the original up. JeffB2, who’s on here runs that group I believe. Great bunch of Ford guys that do those kind of mods. Not that they aren’t here too, but it’ll be easier with the search function over there. Which little mods you’ll need (oil pan, front drives, what year block uses what bellhousing, which auto fits easiest). From guys who have done it themselves.
 
miker98038 said:
Your best start is to go over and join the HAMB, do a short introduction, then go join the

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/social-forums/1952-59-ford-social-group.282/

52-59 Ford social group. I’m pretty sure you’ve got to sign in to use this.

Run a search. You’ll find everything from dropping in a mild 302 with an auto, to an FE with a 6 speed, and which rearend fits best when the FE blows the original up. JeffB2, who’s on here runs that group I believe. Great bunch of Ford guys that do those kind of mods. Not that they aren’t here too, but it’ll be easier with the search function over there. Which little mods you’ll need (oil pan, front drives, what year block uses what bellhousing, which auto fits easiest). From guys who have done it themselves.
Click to expand...

Thank you i'll check it out
 
evintho said:
Here's my build thread. Dropped a '93 5.0/AOD combo into a '54 Customline. The first half is mostly rust repair/bodywork but the second half shows powertrain installation and other stuff.........

https://www.hotrodders.com/threads/1954-ford-customline-build-thread.545181/#replies
Click to expand...
Just looked over your thread. very detailed.. great build. You did some mods to the electric power assist unit I hadn't really considered such as moving the box to the firewall my extending the wires.. Dud just hadn't even thought of that.. so simple and yet so good. I'll probably be doing that in the future..
I did just purchased a 302 to install in mine how did it fit over the crossmember and which motor mounts did you use or did you make your own..
 
Indyearl said:
Just looked over your thread. very detailed.. great build. You did some mods to the electric power assist unit I hadn't really considered such as moving the box to the firewall my extending the wires.. Dud just hadn't even thought of that.. so simple and yet so good. I'll probably be doing that in the future..
I did just purchased a 302 to install in mine how did it fit over the crossmember and which motor mounts did you use or did you make your own..
Click to expand...

It's been awhile but IIRC, I had to cut the top of the crossmember and sink it down a little to bolt to the AOD however, others have said it should bolt right up! Maybe I did something wrong.....IDK.

For motor mounts I used these. You'll need to slot the pads on the front crossmember but these bolt right up......to a '54.

https://www.autozone.com/external-e...0_0?searchText=duralast+2725&redirectUrl=true

https://www.autozone.com/external-e...0_0?searchText=duralast+2726&redirectUrl=true
 
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