Installing Power Steering in the 49

[John Burke]

Today I finally got enough parts together to be able to start the installation of the power steering in my 49 Dodge. I am using an early (74) pontiac steering box with the 13/16-36 spline input shaft. Most of these GM boxes are the same although I hear that CHebby vans have a longer output snout. The first photo shows where I cut off the steering shaft on the Dodge. I cut it kinda close to the box to make sure I have enough. I'll trim it to length as we progress. The second photo shows the inside after the old steering box has been unbolted and removed. The new one will sit in the general area of the old one.

[mjrobinson62]

I did not see a post telling us how this project turned out and I am very curious about this topic, Thanks

[John Burke]

I am sorry guy's that I did not get back on thisas I have been way to busy for an old man....anyway...here is how it turned out...Since I had a sbc in the dodge, space was at a premium. After several failed attempts at positioning the GM steering box I finaly got it mounted in nearly the same position the old one was in. Clearing the exhaust manifold required reworking the outlet by cutting it off and repositioning it and welding it back together.The steering column was cut off and connected to the steering box with a couple of weld on U-joints and some support bearings. I then reworked the pitman arm by cutting the end off the original and breeding it to a stock GM arm...You should be a good welder here or have somone who is good do it for you...I then fabricated a bracket to mount a GM power steering pump and pully. I had to have some new hoses fabricated to fit the installation. After a bit of frustration I finaly started up the car and tried it out.....It was heavan especially having radial tires on the car....I am sure that with a stock 6 cylinder engine one would have a much easier time of it because of all the extra room.....John

[BobT-47P15]

I wonder how it would work to use the power steering that came on cars

like the 54 Plymouth I had recently. Don't know how good a system those

really were....but they were designed to be used with the flathead 6.

The pump was built onto the back end of the generator.

[mjrobinson62]

John thanks for letting us know how it turned out. Any chance you could post some pictures

[Plymouthy Adams]

I would place the 54 early steering right up there with the early Mustang steering..LACKING in all aspects...of course..a little assist beats nothing at all..