Power steering for 52

[Gerald cook]

I’m trying to find out if EZSTEENING power steering for my 1952 ford Crestline Victoria is the way to go. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Gerald

 

[tubman]

For a '52, the best solution would be the rare and expensive '53 factory setup. I hear they are impossible to find. I have a '51, and the only thing it lacks as far as I'm concerned is power steering. I want to keep it 6 volts, so that eliminates anything electric. I have a '67 Corvette with factory power assisted steering. I have had both cars on my lift, and the similarity of the steering linkages is striking. In case you didn't know, power steering setups of this type use the same steering box as the manual steering cars. They have a regular PS pump, but the work is done by a hydraulic ram controlled by a valve on the tie rod. I think all I would have to do is to mount the pump, modify the tie rod to accept the valve,and make a mount to anchor the end of the hydraulic cylinder to the frame on the opposite side. It doesn't sound to hard.

This is down on my list of projects. I have heard that some Fords had the same type of "power assist" in the early sixties. I want to do some more research and see if they would be an even better fit than the Corvette components. However, the Corvette is about the same size and weight, and the power steering stuff is easy to get and relatively inexpensive.

 

[Gerald cook]

Your absolutely correct I have my eye on a complete 52 power steering setup all rebuilt. But I’m ot not sure how to safely pay for the power steering package (it’s not cheap) I can’t afford to lose the money if the deal goes south. Gerald

 

[RobWi]

Would this work: https://www.larescorp.com/toolbox/skinned-knuckles-articles/linkage-steering-power-assist/

 

[tubman]

Would this work: https://www.larescorp.com/toolbox/skinned-knuckles-articles/linkage-steering-power-assist/

That is exactly what I was talking about. I am familiar with the Corvette setup. I am just wondering if the 1958-1980 Ford setup mentioned in that article might be a better fit for an older Ford. Perhaps I'm letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.

 

[pistonbroke]

Ford used the ram type power steering throughout the sixties on small and midsize cars so parts are out there. Tim

 

[Als48]

Ford also used the add-on ram style of power steering on their tractors. I've never installed one tho. I'm guessing the valving would be built into the cylinder.

Al Hook

 

[RobWi]

Ford also used the add-on ram style of power steering on their tractors. I've never installed one tho. I'm guessing the valving would be built into the cylinder.

Al Hook

They also had one that attached to the steering column. It was used on agricultural equipment. Acted like an assist. We used it on a stock car way back when and it worked well, at least for overcoming extreme caster. Can't remember what it was called though.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

If you are looking for an factory origional PS system, this is what your will need. The systems are the same except for the end bracket that mounts on the passenger side frame. The Ford bracket is different from the Mercury bracket. In the pictures below the Ford bracket is on the left and the Mercury bracket is on the right.

 

[petehoovie]

If you are looking for an factory origional PS system, this is what your will need. The systems are the same except for the end bracket that mounts on the passenger side frame. The Ford bracket is different from the Mercury bracket. In the pictures below the Ford bracket is on the left and the Mercury bracket is on the right.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Thanks Petehoovie

 

[tubman]

That's the easy part. I could make that in my sleep. The hard part is modifying (or finding) a way to hook the hydraulic ram to the tie rod. And that is after figuring out how to mount the pump on the engine. I really don't like to weld on steering components, but it might be necessary.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

That's the easy part. I could make that in my sleep. The hard part is modifying (or finding) a way to hook the hydraulic ram to the tie rod. And that is after figuring out how to mount the pump on the engine. I really don't like to weld on steering components, but it might be necessary.

The pump on the engine would be easy, since the pump is mounted on a bracket that bolts directly to the flat head.

 

[tubman]

The pump on the engine would be easy, since the pump is mounted on a bracket that bolts directly to the flat head.

Given the scarcity of the '52-'53 components and the fact that I have a '51, I was always planning on fabricating the pump mount as well. I may be wrong, but the ram bracket looks easier to fabricate than the pump mount. The fact that I was planning to use a different pump complicates the project as well.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Given the scarcity of the '52-'53 components and the fact that I have a '51, I was always planning on fabricating the pump mount as well. I may be wrong, but the ram bracket looks easier to fabricate than the pump mount. The fact that I was planning to use a different pump complicates the project as well.

The pump bracket is mounted on to the top of the flathead by removing two head bolts at the end of the head and then placing the bracket on the head and using two slightly longer head bolts to fasten it in place. The pump then bolts to he bracket.

 

[petehoovie]

The pump bracket is mounted on to the top of the flathead by removing two head bolts at the end of the head and then placing the bracket on the head and using two slightly longer head bolts to fasten it in place. The pump then bolts to he bracket.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Thanks again

 

[tubman]

I've never seen one of those "in person". I would imagine the pump mounts on the left head, correct?

 

[Merc Cruzer]

I've never seen one of those "in person". I would imagine the pump mounts on the left head, correct?

You are correct

 

[tubman]

You know? That helps a lot. I think I may just try doing this. I'm thinking the welded steering linkage would be for the power ram only, so if it did fail, you would only lose the power assist, but not control of the vehicle.