'55 T-bird power steering

G

Grumpy Rick

Senior Member
Still getting the bugs out of my recently bought 55 T-Bird.

The factory power steering pump is leaking quite a bit. some from what looks like a soft rubber line at the pump, but some from fittings.

I know I read that I should only use a certain power steering fluid in it, but I cannot find the reference.

I topped it off with fluid that says it is for all Ford and GM products, but I suspect that may not be the right stuff.

What should I use??

Also, the Pump reservoir is not level, because there is a fitting in the way. Could it be installed incorrectly?

Thanks,
Rick
 
Grumpy Rick said:
Still getting the bugs out of my recently bought 55 T-Bird.

The factory power steering pump is leaking quite a bit. some from what looks like a soft rubber line at the pump, but some from fittings.

I know I read that I should only use a certain power steering fluid in it, but I cannot find the reference.

I topped it off with fluid that says it is for all Ford and GM products, but I suspect that may not be the right stuff.

What should I use??

Also, the Pump reservoir is not level, because there is a fitting in the way. Could it be installed incorrectly?

Thanks,
Rick
Click to expand...

I use AT-FA in mine with no issues.

You can get a set of new seals and O-rings etc from most Tbird suppliers which might dry things up a little. The seal between the reservoir and the pump underneath is via 4 O-rings which might need replacing.

The reservoir does lean slightly towards the center of the car but not massively. Enough though that the lid needs to be sealed or you will get weeping on the inside edge, towards the center of the car.

The only fitting that should be close to the reservoir are the high pressure hose to the PSCV and the low pressure return which is secured with only a screw clamp etc. Neither of these should actually touch the reservoir.
 
A true leak will need to be repaired. Seepage on the other hand can be cured by adding Lucas power steering additive. I used a half bottle in my 55 and the seepage went away.
 
Grumpy Rick said:
Also, the Pump reservoir is not level, because there is a fitting in the way. Could it be installed incorrectly?

Thanks,
Rick
Click to expand...
This is normal. Ford had to make a T-Bird specific bracket that bolts the PS pump to the water pump. It's shorter than the 'car' brackets and tips the pump up slightly to clear the left front suspension, because T-Birds are narrower than the 'full-sized' Fords.
Your WP to PS mounting bracket with the 1 & 1/16" bolt in the backside should have a flat, ~3/4" wide flange on the top.
 
Hope these help...


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You can use TYpe F auto trans fluid. Original is Type A, but that is hard to find and the Type F works very swell.

Drain as much of the old stuff out as you can.
 
Thanks, guys,

I will check these things out in the next day or two. The pics will help, and I will measure that bracket. I will also write the type fluid on the garage wall.
 
Also available for leaking in the system is the Control valve and the Hydraulic Ram, Oh and all the hoses and fittings that connect the entire system. Enjoy, it's a patience project.
 
I want to thank you guys again. I got the car out today, and found that the bracket off the block seems to be the correct one, but the high pressure hose coming off the pump has the wrong fitting. It has a simple right angle fitting, with a rubber hose which cannot make the turn along the suspension quickly enough. Apparently that is why the reservoir is so tilted.

I will be ordering the correct HP hose with the steel tubing bend on it. I think I will also get a new low pressure hose, as it looks soft, and the end at the pump looks like it might be leaking.

Thanks again,
Rick
 
Rick, try to find a quality set of "line" wrenches for removal and install. Much better chance of NOT rounding off the nut fittings.
 
Update:

All fixed, with the correct fittings, new hose kit, and new fan belt. Ram still leaks, but additive is helping. Wait and see on that one.
 
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