Have PS in my 53 Hornet, but all components came from a 1954. Would not want this car w/o it; bad enough with 5 turns lock to lock !! With the PS I sure would like to find a longer pitman arm (maybe an inch) to try in order to reduce the lock to lock. Anyone out there know of a longer one ??

I'm looking to put PS in my 51 Hornet. I've been told that the parts from a 54 will do the job but I will have to also replace the water pump with one that has a longer shaft. I have not been able to find the 54 parts I need. I would prefer to find a new after market parts kit but haven't found one that will work one my car. (I did find a kit for power brakes.) I'll continue to watch this topic hoping something will show up.

John Roberts

thanks for the information.

Thanks, if you find a kit, let me know.

http://www.fatmanfabrications.co/products/mii/mustang-ii-frame-stubs/

you can get a complete front end kit from Fatman; power disk brakes; power rack steering, etc. etc. but have some cash ~~~~ 1940-1954

I would think that you would need a shorter pitman are to make the steering faster. Shorter arm will travel in a smaller arc than a long arm, wont effect the number of turns lock to lock, but it will react faster.

Tom

Adding shorter steering arms will help. The right hand drive cars have them. I got a pair from Bob Ward down under. Maybe he has more? :unsure:

thanks to everyone offering recommendations.

I found a universal power steering kit (electric) from US Auto Performance.
Geoff Mason was the contact
Telephone 941-504-8686
His website is www.usautoperformance.com

Hope this helps others with the same problem.

Don, Have you acquired and installed this kit on your '49? If so, how did the install go. I looked at their website and also followed the link to the installation article on a Mustang. Looks like a lot of work to me but I'm sure the folks doing my restoration can do it. I have a couple questions and I'm going to call them in the morning. First, does it work on a 6 volt car. Second, is the kit for a Hudson as complete as a kit for a Mustang or will I have to acquire or fabricate some parts.

Thank you for posting this source. If you will send me your email address I will keep you posted about how this goes with me and my '51. My email address is jdrjmr@bellsouth.net.

John Roberts

John:
I have not installed or purchased just yet. Geoff sent me a pdf of parts and pictures, said there would be some shortening of the steering, but not rocket science. He will be happy to discuss with you and am sure he will send the tech details to you as well.
thanks.

That looks very promising. Stock steering linkage is still used, this unit is grafted into the steering column itself. Much less involved than going the 54 parts route. I'll have to give them a call.

I bet there will be many "watchers". including me. I have installed a 54 P.S. on a 54 that didn't have it. I had to fabricate several parts that were missing from the pile we bought. The result was "OK" but far from what we expect from PS today. The steering ratio remains the same which is like winding your watch to get around a corner! and more "slop" in the straight ahead mode. LOL. I also modified a 49 with power rack and pinion. Much cutting and hacking. It worked pretty well, but would never do it again. The need for a belt driven pump is a project in it's self. An electric pump sounds like "The Ticket". I am presently "resurrecting" a wrecked and stripped 49 Two door and this looks like a really great idea.

Go for it Kerry.. let us know the details.

https://www.google.com/#q=lawsuit+electric+power+steering+ford

Be sure and check all the lawsuits filed against Ford for failures of that elec power steering unit.

not even close to the same unit at all.

Ford's are integrated into the steering rack and is electric/hydraulic.
This unit is spliced into the steering column and is
an assist. If you loose electrical power, you loose the "assist" and
you go back to "manual" steering.
You retain the stock steering box and all steering linkage except for the
section in the column that this one is installed.
The original application has used this one since 1998 without any problems.