Has anyone put mustang II front end in a 57 passenger car ? If so is the swap worth the time and money?If you are running a y block do you have to use a rear sump pan?I have seen the rack&pinion kits but,I'm not sure if I like the rack being behind the cross member because the steering column angle and clutch linkage clearance.Any help would be appreciated.               thanks    michael t.

Michael t.

I remember there was a thread on this topic on 57fordsforever.com . I think the companies name is Wildhog. You may want to check out their website for more info.

Hey Michael,   As to your questions on rack/pinion steering--I have a '57 Courier running a Y-block and 4-speed with Wildhogs rack kit! This quality kit and almost a bolt in except for connecting the steering columnand powersteering hoses if you go with a power rack! Now for your questions(my opinion only)--(A)worth time and money=No--(B)have to run rearsump oilpan=No,I'm running a front sump oilpan--(C)clearance on steering/clutch linkage=close fit but with borgenson swivel joints and steering shaft provided with his kit you can do it!--- (D) Would I do it again=NO- I,ve found no benefits in going to rack/pinion steering,I've lost a little in turning radius although it's a little easier to paralel park due to the power rack insted of the standard steering.(E)What would I do different= As suggested,go to '57 Fords Forever and check out the forum on Steering(alot of info on this topic)--there's a member who went with a new 567 powering steering box that's suppose to be a bolt in  for the stock '57 steering box(similar to the scrub 605 powersteering box) it's from ABS Power Brake,Inc. in Orange,Calif.(abspowerbrake.com). I would rebuild the stock '57 front end and use this powersteering box with either a Eaton or Saginaw pump/resivore(if your looking for a powersteering system),Either way your going to have to modify your steering column or replace it (Flaming River,Ididit,Etc.--more $)If you have any more questions ask away! Anybody else who's running these systems give us your pros /cons on after install handling! KID

Why would you want to do this?  All Ford ball joint 4 link front ends up through the '90s were essentially the same geometry.  they were pretty much state of the art and compare well with the M II geometry. With all new wear parts and maybe somewhat higher rate springs and certainly a higher rate anti roll bar they will provide very good handling.  You can even get graphite bushings for serious control of front end geometry.  Of course most people will agree that disc brakes on the front are desirable but there are ways to do that without going to M II.

The same obtains with rack and pinion steering. You have a good steering system that already fits the car.  Bring it up to snuff and you will have everything you can use.

Please don't misunderstand, the M II route with R & P steering is good stuff especially with aftermarket add ons.  But it became popular for upgrading solid axle cars from the 30's and applications like that.  The current Salt Flat Comet is a good example, the engine bay needed more space and the M II give them that.  But for most street cars that came with  Y blocks the payback isn't there over a good overhall of what came with it,  IMHO. 

Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

I have the original steering in my 57 custom business sedan 2dr and it works perfectly. I have more fun driving my old cars than any of my new ones and they actually steer as good or better than the new ones . So I have to agree with doug T I just can't find any benefits too change for the cost involved. For power steering I would go for a 57 unit that already fits.

-Gary Burnette-

As for why you'd replace a perfectly goo dsystem, maybe the car was a 6 and now it's got the heavier 8, maybe it's all rusted and you wanna do it yourself. if you're into doing it yourself, MII is the way to go. It's going in my '63 Fairlane...which the Y-Block is also going in...someday...

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People should not be afraid of their government, a government should be afraid of the people.

--Alan Moore

I think what the Kid said makes a lot of sense because some of the other guys on this site have expressed the same problems when changing to a different system than what the car with originaly. 56 & 57 fords really did have pretty good steering systems but if someone wants to try something different that's ok with me, if they want an opinion I'll give mine and it's only an opinion, and can hope it helps them in determining the direction they want to go.

-Gary Burnette-

I'm with Doug T & Speedpro ,replace everything that is worn ,add disc brakes, Power booster, a big sway bar and a set of lowered springs . Hard to beat in my opinion ??.But ,if that's want you really want to do ( Install Mustang 11 front end ),don't let me stop you . After all ,it's your money .

Lon

yblocksdownunder

Lon, Ditto!! bit off topic but how did you go with santa ( lynne) this year? regards bill.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Michael  -I like to keep my cars close to stock so that that it easy to go back to original.  These Fords had a very good front end suspension if up to spec.  If you are trying to correct for worn part this is not the direction to go IMHO.  If your are racing or have other high performance requirements that is different.  I would just bring things up to spec by replacing the worn parts.  This might be cheaper in the long run, and don't forger resale value of your car.  For safety you might want to convert to a dual brake MC - Bob

AKA   Bob-93021