53 Mercury p/s conversion

[dean333]

I wanted to add power steering to my 53 Mercury. Borgeson kits don’t offer crank pulleys or pump brackets, only for full size Fords.
Aren’t the Ford and Mercury blocks the same???

 

[38 coupe]

The 1953 Ford and 1953 Mercury engine blocks, water pumps, fan, and front pulleys are the same.
I have not seen an aftermarket kit to add a power steering pump to a flathead Ford offered in years, and that kit only worked with the wide belt setup. Is someone offering a kit again?

 

[Bob C]

Here is a link to the kit but the instructions say it will not work with a flathead.
https://www.affordablestreetrods.com/p-s-conv-kit-for-1949-1951-ford-full-size-cars-999.html

 

[petehoovie]

Here is a link to the kit but the instructions say it will not work with a flathead.
https://www.affordablestreetrods.com/p-s-conv-kit-for-1949-1951-ford-full-size-cars-999.html

 

[dean333]

Bob C., its moot if it won’t work with a Flathead.

 

[ActionYobbo]

Use an electric pump from a Volvo and hide it under the fender behind the headlight. You will need to get hoses made to fit the pump and gear so just buy the steering gear not the whole kit.

 

[41merc]

i put Flaming River electric power steering on my 36 Ford Club Cabriolet, works great.

 

[Bob C]

Use an electric pump from a Volvo and hide it under the fender behind the headlight. You will need to get hoses made to fit the pump and gear so just buy the steering gear not the whole kit.

This is from the instructions.



Exhaust clearance is extremely tight with a Flathead engine. So tight that we cannot recommend this
kit for use with a Flathead engine. We have tried repeatedly to make or find a header or cast iron
manifold that fits well, but truthfully none really exists. The center exhaust port simply could not be in a
worse location to clear this new and slightly larger box. We therefore do NOT RECOMMEND this kit with
a Flathead engine. We have made a kit for a ’67-’76 Volvo 140 series manual steering box, which fits
great, although those steering boxes have become very hard to find.

 

[dean333]

As I said, the point is moot. No kits for Flatheads, I’m not switching to 12V for an electric pump. Thanks all.

 

[Sunnybob]

This is from the instructions.



Exhaust clearance is extremely tight with a Flathead engine. So tight that we cannot recommend this
kit for use with a Flathead engine. We have tried repeatedly to make or find a header or cast iron
manifold that fits well, but truthfully none really exists. The center exhaust port simply could not be in a
worse location to clear this new and slightly larger box. We therefore do NOT RECOMMEND this kit with
a Flathead engine. We have made a kit for a ’67-’76 Volvo 140 series manual steering box, which fits
great, although those steering boxes have become very hard to find.

Does anybody know why they do not recommend this kit with original flathead? Where is the problem? Thanks

 

[TJ]

Does anybody know why they do not recommend this kit with original flathead? Where is the problem? Thanks

As I recall the 52 Fords and later and Mercs used the ram type power steering like the mid 60's Mustangs. No need to change the steering box.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

This is from the instructions.



Exhaust clearance is extremely tight with a Flathead engine. So tight that we cannot recommend this
kit for use with a Flathead engine. We have tried repeatedly to make or find a header or cast iron
manifold that fits well, but truthfully none really exists. The center exhaust port simply could not be in a
worse location to clear this new and slightly larger box. We therefore do NOT RECOMMEND this kit with
a Flathead engine. We have made a kit for a ’67-’76 Volvo 140 series manual steering box, which fits
great, although those steering boxes have become very hard to find.

That is why the origional system used a bracket to keep the hoses away from the exhaust. I also have the factory "police" exhaust manifold on the car for duel exhaust.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

As I recall the 52 Fords and later and Mercs used the ram type power steering like the mid 60's Mustangs. No need to change the steering box.

You are correct

 

[petehoovie]

That is why the origional system used a bracket to keep the hoses away from the exhaust. I also have the factory "police" exhaust manifold on the car for duel exhaust.

 

[petehoovie]

You are correct

 

[Merc Cruzer]

petehoovie,

Thank you

 

[tubman]

As I recall the 52 Fords and later and Mercs used the ram type power steering like the mid 60's Mustangs. No need to change the steering box.

I have a '67 Corvette with power steering like that (ram type). I always thought
the hardest part of installing one would be mounting the pump. When I think about it, using a Ford (Mustang) unit might be easier still.

 

[34fordy]

After putting a new Borgeson Saginaw 525 with a 25:1 ratio in my 36 pickup I couldn't be happier. No pump, no belt, no hoses. Love it!

 

[petehoovie]

After putting a new Borgeson Saginaw 525 with a 25:1 ratio in my 36 pickup I couldn't be happier. No pump, no belt, no hoses. Love it!

 

[dean333]

I found a complete assembly that was removed from a 53 Ford. I’ll need the bracket that mounts to the frame which is different on the Mercury…..part number MA-3351-C