Power steering?


http://209.208.111.198/Topic50505.aspx 		Print Topic | Close Window

By nglshbiker - 15 Years Ago
Hey guys,



I thought I had introduced myself before but it appears that has disappeared. My name is Rich and we live near Nashville, TN. I have a 55 Mainline I'm slowly working on. I have a 55 272 I wanna drop in. Not sure what I'm gonna do with it yet (stroke it, etc.). I do know I'm gonna go to Mr Mummert when I'm ready.



Anyway here's my question; I might have the opportunity to buy the complete power steering from a 57 Ford Y-block powered vehicle. What's stopping me from using this? Can I just bolt the pulleys on to my Y-block and swap the power steering box and other under car parts to my 55?



Thanks in advance



Rich
By paul2748 - 15 Years Ago
nglshbiker (10/6/2010)
Hey guys,



I thought I had introduced myself before but it appears that has disappeared. My name is Rich and we live near Nashville, TN. I have a 55 Mainline I'm slowly working on. I have a 55 272 I wanna drop in. Not sure what I'm gonna do with it yet (stroke it, etc.). I do know I'm gonna go to Mr Mummert when I'm ready.



Anyway here's my question; I might have the opportunity to buy the complete power steering from a 57 Ford Y-block powered vehicle. What's stopping me from using this? Can I just bolt the pulleys on to my Y-block and swap the power steering box and other under car parts to my 55?



Thanks in advance



Rich




First of all, it isn't the box that makes it power steering. The power steering setup for early Fords (55 to ???) is based on a hydraulic cylinder on the steering mechanism. This is what the 55 had and what the 57 had originally. As far as swapping one year to the other, some one else may know the answer as I am not sure the 57 hydraulic ram and associated parts are the same as the 55/56 cars. All the pulleys, etc should fit with no problems.
By Larry D - 15 Years Ago
Eyeballing both setups.  The center link for the pre '57 is about an inch shorter and the idler arm to chassis mount is different.  The early '54 to 55 ram is also different from the later '55 & up.
By nglshbiker - 15 Years Ago
Thanks for the answers Paul and Larry. I might buy the parts and if I can't use them they'll find a new home with someone who can. I'm not real sure if I have a late or early model 55. Guess my VIN would tell me that?