steering

[bigh]

Has any one put power steering on a ac cobra , at 78 i am having trouble when the car is not moving 15 mi. a hr . any tips .?

[MOTORHEAD]

Hi Bigh; Yeah, I 'm 72 and I know what your'e talking about. I think it's more about fat tires than old age, and some brands are worse than others. There is a recent thread on the subject that offers the thought that pwr steering is very helpful in the "quickness " dept, which, in these cars is reason enough to have it. I've installed about halve a dozen in Backdrafts, what make is your car and engine ?

Ted

[Wisconsin_Snake]

You should have no problem on a Classic Roadsters Cobra.

[bigh]

Thank's Ted, I will go along with the fat tire idea & not age . "H"

[okiedokie]

I put on a power steering unit in my CR 2 years ago when I was racing Autocross and needed quicker - easier steering then the manual rack supplied.
There are more expensive units available but I have a Duralast 64163 that I picked up at an AutoZone store for less then $100.
I got the Power Steering Pump AGR-808102 , P.S. Pulley MCH-630 & MCH-360 ,P.S.Bracket MCH-30035-09 and U-Joint SUM -770663 from Summit Racing.
I haven't had a bit of trouble with this unit and the difference it makes in the effortless steering is well worth the price and work to put it in.

[cycleguy55]

I have PS in mine with a big block, and think it's the way to go. Original installation by West Coast is with a Saginaw pump and a Mustang II steering rack. Some have reported it to be a bit over-sensitive due, it seems, to a 3 GPM pump hooked to a 2 GPM rack.

There are solutions to this, but I mention it here to reinforce the idea the pump and rack need to work as a system so, if you're planning on installing PS, make sure they're designed to work together or, alternatively, put the limiting valve in to make them play nice together.

[FWB]

i'm in the same boat. can't man handle the steering at low speed with the fat tires.
i'm going with a Must II pwr rack from NAPA, and a reman Pinto PS pump.
care must be taken with the saginaw as they are high pressure, the Mustang II is low pressure, besides a twitchy feel, you could be getting leaks from over powering the seals all the time.
the pinto pump is actually less of an issue to install as it will take factory Ford brackets and pulley and have connections that are compatible with off the shelf hoses for the pinto and mustang II

[cycleguy55]

FWB: Actually, my car is on its way to me and won't be here for a while, but one of the first things I need to address is the current rack is leaking - as you suggested in your comments.

My question then is whether I'm better to track down and install a limiting valve, or whether I should l just toss the Saginaw pump and go to the Pinto pump? If the latter, it would seem I'd also need to change the mounting bracket, drive belt and hoses. The engine currently has March pulleys on it - would the pulley on the Saginaw pump install on a Pinto pump, or would that need to be replaced as well?

[FWB]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

FWB: Actually, my car is on its way to me and won't be here for a while, but one of the first things I need to address is the current rack is leaking - as you suggested in your comments.

My question then is whether I'm better to track down and install a limiting valve, or whether I should l just toss the Saginaw pump and go to the Pinto pump? If the latter, it would seem I'd also need to change the mounting bracket, drive belt and hoses. The engine currently has March pulleys on it - would the pulley on the Saginaw pump install on a Pinto pump, or would that need to be replaced as well?

the fix for the saginaw is an orifice inserted in the pressure side of the pump.
supposed to cut down pressure.
if the saginaw was mounted to a modified ford bracket, you may still be able to re-use the bracket you have. if not there are plenty of full size fords and trucks out there from 1970 up to scab a bracket from.
the pulley may fit you'll have to see if its pressed on or screwed on...

basically you have options......fix whats there, or re-do it....
what's easier won't be known till you have the car in front of you

[ERA2076]

If you still have a Garand, put it in the corner where you can see it. Set aside some time in the morning to lift it over your head for as many reps as you can. If you prefer the night go that way.

What size tires do you have on the front? Can you go narrower.

Once you can lift your rifle every day - you will be good and you can run what ever size you want.

chr

[bigh]

for some reason they put a chevelle steering in,tilt by the way can this be plumbed to power ? thank's "H"

[bigh]

has any one used anything other than pinto or mustang in the cobra ? Thank's

[FWB]

if your referring to the rack,...yes, Jag, plymouth omni, fox body t-bird

what crossmember do you have? if its set up for MII then that will be the easiest, and also lots of places make aftermarket parts for them.

the rack will attach via a rag joint and shaft, i don't think it'll care what column you have above it.
just be safe weld and pin the u-joints on the shaft.....

[bigh]

I just bought the car & it has a chevelle steering rack in it ? sure would like to put power on it but ma be a problem ? "H"

[FWB]

Originally Posted by bigh

I just bought the car & it has a chevelle steering rack in it ? sure would like to put power on it but ma be a problem ? "H"

chevelle rack? i don't think thats right.......maybe chevette?

take a pic of the crossmember...you may have options

[Double Venom]

Hmm.
Never heard of a CR II OR CR being fitted with so many different racks???? Simple, coordinated to work with all matching parts simple, call IDIDIT, Flaming River and they will tell you what rack what size pump and usually what pulleys if any that you will need.They will also explain to you the ratio's of the wracks, how quick or not they are, they can also sell you the adjustable pressure valves so you can set the ease and speed of your steering just by turning a knob.

Steering is nothing to mess around with by amateurs! Lets be safe out there.

[FWB]

Originally Posted by Double Venom

Hmm.
Never heard of a CR II OR CR being fitted with so many different racks???? Simple, coordinated to work with all matching parts simple, call IDIDIT, Flaming River and they will tell you what rack what size pump and usually what pulleys if any that you will need.They will also explain to you the ratio's of the wracks, how quick or not they are, they can also sell you the adjustable pressure valves so you can set the ease and speed of your steering just by turning a knob.

Steering is nothing to mess around with by amateurs! Lets be safe out there.

whoa there DV...no one is saying all those racks are on CR's
those racks are used by rodders on a lot of different builds over the years
there is life over and above CR....since we are all amateurs.
help the poor guy get goin'

[Double Venom]

Must have mis read and assumed since this is a CR forum,

Helping? Thought I did. Both company's I mentioned are well familiar with the CR cobra.

Think I'll go back from the beginning and re-read.....

PS.. even most street rods from the '34 Fords, to the 40 Willy's still use the MII set up.

[Double Venom]

Brad Penn,
Looks like everyone but you were talking about Cobra's, from CR's, West Coast Stallion, etc.
My answer stands since all the mentioned Cobras us the MII rack, power or not and both company's I mentioned are well versed in power / manual.

PS...I have used many different racks in building the street rods, '45 GMC 1 Ton, 55,56,57 Chevy's, even a Desota lead sled once! Also an original 'C' cp, but that was modified to take the MII also. Lot more than just Cobras in the street rod world of ours!

[bigh]

I had the car checked out it is a mustang 2 rack