My p. Steering pump says to add atf. Should I use power steering fluid or atf? I didn't know if p.s. fluid was even available back in 54. Plus, my tranny is getting rebuilt and I want to know what atf is recommended now.

Brad
Sierra Vista Arizona
1954 Lincoln Capri

I've always used regular P/S fluid in mine with no trouble.  As to the transmission fluid my shop manual which covers 1955 - 1958 Lincoln Turbo-Drive and
1951 - 1958 Mercury Merc-O-Matic shows Type A.  Dexron/Mercon is a replacement for Type A but your rebuilder should be able to advise you.  

I was researching for the fluid to use in my ’55 Thunderbird PS system; the stock spec calls for Type A. I found this DEXRON - Wikipedia article to be very informative; Type A was a GM product… I contacted Lares Corp, they rebuilt my pump, valve and cylinder. They recommend using a “power steering” fluid without any stop leak additives in a system that has been rebuilt with modern seals.

Lares advises not to start the engine to prime a dry system, they recommend cranking the starter for 20 sec intervals. I dont want to grind on my starter so I came up with a pulley to use with a drill motor.

 





.150 Stroked Y-Block:327.25 ci @ >1hp per ci
 

That's a keeper - nice one.

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

That sounds like a really good way to test everything in the steering system for leaks and operation before during initial startup and breakin of a freshly rebuilt engine!

The Tbird people advice is don't use power steering fluid.  Stay with ATF.  Supposedly, power steering fluid causes leaks in the old Ford system that ATF doesn't.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ