Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: Chris Russell (email redacted)

add to Rick's list:

+ brackets for power steering pump
+ pulleys, "double" pulleys are needed on the balancer and water-pump (and belt)
+ drag-link/power-steering control valve (these are integrated on a 66).
+ idler arm is different for power steering

not sure if tie-rod ends are different, not sure if pitman arm is different...

i think i saw an article recently where somebody is offering a retrofit kit.

another safe bet would be to find a donor vehicle, preferably a '65 or '66 mustang... not sure if all the granada stuff would fit, especially a '66... you would want to measure and/or in some other way determine compatibility, such as comparing part numbers or using a reliable interchange manual. perhaps a early-mid 60's falcon or fairlaine uses interchangable parts... ?

DIY rack-in-pinion is another option, a few folks have done this with various levels of success.

the (expensive) total control products power rack-n-pinion kit would be another option.

or reduce the effort by increasing your upper body strength.

Chris

At 06:05 PM 01/15/2001, Rick Larson wrote:
>Katee,
>>
>> Hi
>> I was wondering if someone knew, offhand, the parts needed to add
>> powersteering to a 66 coupe. And what cars I could find them on. Also, if
>
>I didn't see any replies and don't have power steering so that the
>following for what its worth.
>
>My guess you will need:
>16:1 steering box
>power steering pump
>associated hoses
>power steering ram (that thing under the car...)
>other stuff (drag link?, tie rod ends?, ...)
>
>Fellow list member, Keven Coates, used Granada parts for power steering in
>his 68. You might want to look at this as a cheaper solution.
>
>rick
>66 mustang (manual steering, and other stuff)
>--
>Rick Larson (email redacted)
>
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--
Chris Russell (email redacted)
Engineering Manager, ZK Celltest Inc, www.zk.com
voice: 408-986-8080, fax: 661-752-8950

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Chris Russell (email redacted)

In regards to the shelby "quick ratio" pitman/idler arm kits... these should _increase_ the steering effort. As would adding a "quicker" ratio steering box (e.g. the power steering 16:1). It all comes down to leverage... shelby decided to trade off steering effort for quicker steering, which for a track car probably makes sense.

I would expect the flaming river box to have negligible effect on steering effort. It should make the steering tighter and more precise (less play) if it performs as advertised (I have not experience with them). The basic physics are that you have to overcome the friction between the front tires and the ground, and when you are not moving that is a lot of scrubbing rubber with a V8 sitting over it (especially with wide tires). Also due to caster you are lifting the car a little as you turn the wheels.

Going to less caster and/or less scrub radius would reduce steering effort some. Of course there would be trade-offs... somewhat less steering wheel return force, less straight line stability and less feedback in corners...

Bigger steering wheel would also reduce effort, but the stock wheel is already about as big as is reasonable. Of course if you've gone to a little after-market steering wheel, you might want to consider going up a little... a little diameter should go a long way, since the circumference of the wheel goes up 3.14 times the diameter.

higher tire pressure, narrow tires and harder-rubber would reduce steering effort as well... all of which would reduce handling, but you would want to keep the front tires from being too low on pressure since that would hurt handling and increase effort some.

another idea... lighten up the front end... move battery to back and go with aluminum heads... I wonder how much weight could be removed from the front. probably not enough (install a 4 cylinder? nah!)...

Chris

At 08:57 AM 01/16/2001, Stephen Mirsky wrote:
>235s are gonna be evil. It may make sense to get power steering. I personally like the effort My commute takes away the need for going to the gym...
>
>Actually, I used to own an 84 cavalier with broken power steering. That's much, much worse than not having power steering at all. I could hardly get down my street at first. After a few days, I was driving like it was nothing.
>
>Power steering doesn't seem TOO hard to install.
>
>There is that quick ratio shelby pitman arm. It changes the pitman and idler arm. I don't know if that would really decrease effort tho...
>
>The power steering boxes are a quicker ratio too. I believe 16:1 (they're the same ratio, but not the same box as the GT ratio)
>
>Power steering on a stock manual box may be too loose, and not decrease turns.
>
>It shouldn't be tooo hard to install power steering. I personally would buy new hoses tho, maybe some really nice ones. Aeroquip or something. I hate leaks...
>
>I guess it's mostly bracketry, pump, lines, new power steering center link, new steering box, and possibly new tie rods and idler/pitman arm.
>
>-steve in nj-
>65 Mustang
>90 Mustang (Cobra Donor) lx
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--
Chris Russell (email redacted)
Engineering Manager, ZK Celltest Inc, www.zk.com
voice: 408-986-8080, fax: 661-752-8950

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Thomas Teixeira (email redacted)

This was posted several years ago. I vaguely remember a more recent posting
(but still a couple years ago) that said Tony is no longer selling these
idler arm bushings, but it's a different approach to consider. I didn't
look more extensively through my archives of this list to find more recent
information.

Tom Teixeira
'66 convertible (200 auto) mailtoemail redacted)
world.std.com/~tjt


>Date: Thu, 7 Aug 1997 15:10:06 -0300
>From: (email redacted) (D.Belick)
>To: Multiple recipients of list <(email redacted)>
>Subject: Poor man's power steering
>
>After many inquiries, here is the info:
>The "poor man's power steering kit addresses the high point of
>drag/friction in an early Mustang's steering system: the idler arm bushing.
>That sloppy hunk of rubber creates an incredible amount of drag. This kit
>eliminates the play and the drag by installing a roller bearing set up on
>your idler arm. It will fit cars that came stock with power steering, or
>manual steering cars that want ease of turning. You can use either the
>stock or quick steering arms, and sells for $59.95 plus 25.00 labor(he uses
>a "core" arm to speed up the shipping process. He also sells all the quick
>steering stuff, is good for mucho free advise on all things Ford.
>
>Contact: Tony at T&D Hypo Motors (San Jose) (408)248-4959 (no email yet)
>
>This is all that is required on a 65-66. 67-68 require another part that
>is sold by Mustangs Plus to eliminate power steering.
>
>Now, don't think this is a solution for you big blocks out there. But for
>a small block car with suspension in good condition, it makes a world of
>difference,in accuracy and ease of use. It's been on my car for 4 years,
>with and without the wedge kit. My brake guy put one on a 66 gt for a guy
>with a heart condition who couldn't drive it anymore. It's back on the
>road.
>
>Hope this information helps somebody,
>
>-Dan
>65 a code FB (mustang monthly- sept. page 13)
>65 k code Shelby clone in process
>
>