Mustang Monthly Homepage

How To: '65-'66 Power-Steering Conversion

With The Right Parts, Converting to Power Steering is a Snap

writer: Mark Houlahan
photographer: Mark Houlahan

 Power Steering Conversion Power Steering Kit
Your money is going to be spent on the hydraulic parts, as converting to power steering isn't cheap. Even if you score a complete used setup from eBay for $200, most likely you'll need all new hoses, tie-rod ends, and a rebuild or reseal of the major components. If you want to purchase everything down to the last bolt, already rebuilt and ready to go, plan to write a check for around $1,500.

 Power Steering Conversion Steering Gearbox
1 While not 100 percent necessary, we opted for the correct-tagged steering gearbox for a V-8 with power steering because our old gearbox was shot. The steering wheel and column will need to be removed for gearbox R&R. Remove the center cap or horn ring, then remove the retaining nut and steering wheel.

It would be great to hop in a time machine, go back to 1966, and purchase your Mustang exactly the way you want it. Of course, that's not possible, so owners often take small liberties during a restoration to add options and conveniences that didn't originally come with the car. Unless you have a rare Mustang or you're restoring your car to the letter of the buildsheet, adding power brakes, power steering, a console, Styled Steel wheels, and so on isn't such a bad thing. If the addition is done properly, using all the correct parts, can anyone really complain? We're talking safety and/or driving comforts here in the 21st century.

Our Project '66 hardtop is one of over several hundred thousand hardtops sold in the '65-'66 model years. There's nothing particularly rare about it and, with so many hardtops made, taking a few liberties here and there shouldn't be frowned upon. We are, after all, restoring the car and saving yet another Mustang from extinction, whether you like the modifications or not. It was decided right from the beginning the '66 would have power steering, just like the original '66 I owned 14 years ago.

The conversion to power steering is literally a bolt-on project. Approximately 90 percent of what you need to perform the conversion can be purchased new or rebuilt. The few things you might need to purchase used or find from a salvage facility include the power-steering-pump mounting bracket(s) and the hydraulic ram frame-mount bracket. Working with Metro Mustang for hard-to-find used parts, we located the correct power-steering-pump mounting bracket, the frame bracket for the ram, a pump core, and even the pulleys for the engine. We also found a good '66 power-steering center-link core at Metro Mustang, which was restored by Alamo Classic Mustang's Precision Products using a Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation control valve. We also used one of SSBC's new hydraulic slave cylinders, along with concours hoses from National Parts Depot. Last, we rang the Bramlett brothers at Mustangs Plus for the correct V-8 power-steering tie-rod ends, adjusting sleeves, and idler arm.


 Power Steering Conversion Column Taper Bearing
2 Once the wheel is off, remove the upper-column taper bearing. The column tube will not slide up with this in place. Use a small screwdriver to gently pry it free.
 Power Steering Conversion Wiring Connectors
3 At the base of the column, unplug the wiring connectors for the turn signals and horn. Once these wires are free, remove the two nuts that retain the column tube clamp to the dash frame.
 Power Steering Conversion Retaining Bracket
4 With the column-tube retaining bracket free, the column tube will slide straight up and off the gearbox's long steering shaft.
 Power Steering Conversion Manual Steering Components
5 Since we're getting rid of the steering box and all of the manual steering components at once, we left the major components assembled to each other and removed everything as a unit. The six-cylinder manual-steering idler arm (from the frame) and the passenger-side outer tie-rod end from the spindle are the first to be pulled.
 Power Steering Conversion Outer Tie Rod
6 On the driver side, simply disconnect the outer tie-rod end from the left spindle.
 Power Steering Conversion Bolts
7 Three bolts attach the steering gearbox to the left front framerail. Once these bolts have been backed out sufficiently, the gearbox will be free, so watch the steering shaft to make sure it doesn't scratch the dashboard.
 Power Steering Conversion Manual Linkage
8 Working carefully, slide the steering gearbox forward to clear the dash, and carefully fold the manual linkage in such a manner to allow removal of the complete system in one piece. If you have a V-8 in place and still plan to swap the gearbox, be prepared to jack up the engine and remove the driver's motor mount for room.
 Power Steering Conversion Power Steering And Manual Linkage
9 The manual linkage is shown here with the new/rebuilt V-8 power-steering linkage we temporarily assembled for comparison. The power-steering linkage mounts in the same locations, but it has provisions for hydraulic slave-cylinder mounting and the power-steering control valve.
 Power Steering Conversion Natural Finish
10 The rebuilt V-8 power-steering gear box came to us refinished in a "natural" finish, so installation required nothing more than lining up the holes and reinstalling the three mounting bolts. At this time, you can reinstall the steering-column tube and steering wheel.

1  | 2  | Next
FREE, no-hassle price quotes on the new Mustang you’ve been looking for.
 
1965 Mustang GT Fastback - Hidden Pleasures Photos
Web Exclusive! - We've got more photos that didn't fit in print.... more
 
1965 Mustang GT Fastback - Hidden Pleasures
"I like the thought of opening the hood after dusting someone and saying, 'It's just a little 289.'" --Dominic Greco... more
 
2008 Shelby GT500KR - The Real Deal
With 540 HP, The New '08 1/2 Shelby GT500KR Is A Genuine King Of The Road-Just Like The Original '68 1/2... more
 
1970 Cobra Jet Mach 1 - Grab You Blue
Neil Bell's '70 Cobra Jet Mach 1 Is Decidedly Different With Its Grabber Blue Paint And Q-Code Powerplant... more
 
1966 Mustang Convertible - Island Girl
Nancy Johnson's '66 Convertible Was Built For Show And Go On Lopez Island... more
 
1967 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible - Renegade
At Florida State University, Renegade Is The Name Of The Mascot's Horse, So FSU Fan Jeff Billings Feels It's Also A Fitting Name For His '67 Shelby Tribute Convertible... more
 
How To Install Four-Wheel Disc Brakes on a Fox 5.0
Stock or restomod? Vintage or Fox-body? Here are some ideas to build the Mustang of your dreams.... more
 
How to Install Louvered Side-Window Covers
Dominic Greco likes the thought of opening the hood after dusting someone and saying, "It's just a little 289."... more
 
1966 Ford Mustang Hardtop - The Judge's GT
Many Would Say That A C-Code '66 Hardtop Can't Be A GT. MCA Judge Wally Short Begs To Disagree.... more
 
Mustang Monthly July 2008 Contents
In an exclusive Mustang Monthly interview, Carroll Shelby clears the air about trademarks, licensing, lawsuits, and the controversy with SAAC.... more

Mustang Monthly Blogs

 
Is It Me?
Is it me, or is there just something incredible about the sound of Flowmaster Delta Flow mufflers? ... more
 
Lois Eminger: 1920-2008
Lois Eminger, the retired Ford employee who had the forethought to preserve thousands of original... more
 
cool fastback
This red 69 is pretty trick.... more
 
Can Anyone Explain This?
Reader John Murphy sent us these images of 1967-68 hood turn indicators with super... more

Mustang Monthly Forums

 
Original material question...
I was wondering what the original headliner insulation and firewall insulation pad would have been... more
 
1966 Coupe Replacing Door Shells
I am replacing the badly rusted, and dented door shells on my '66 Coupe. I have received the... more
 
1996 Dashlights
I just got a 1996 Mustang and my dash lights are now not working. We've changed the bulbs and the... more
 
01 GT heater core replacement
I need to replace the eater core in my 01 GT can anyone tell me the process? Thanks Tim... more