54 power steering box

Unknown

has any one got a power steering box from a 54 they would be willing to part with?

SuperDave

My experience has shown that the steering box is the same regardless of manual or power. Steering arm is different, but manual arm can be used on P.S.with home made steering stops. The drag link of course is VERY different.

Unknown

so what would I need then for a bolt in power steering set up?

[Deleted User]

Hey Jim I added a doc on my site that shows you a component diagram for the Hudson power steering setup. Should show you what you need to find.

Unknown

thanks 51 I found it. Wow its not what I was expexcting. Its basically a hydraulic ram to assist the movement of the drag link. I was expecting a hydraulic assisted steering box. Jim

hudsonguy

51hornetA,



How can one see this page? I went to your website, and it seems so want my membership name and password to see anything. So I tried to set up a name and password, and it wouldn't work. Sure am curious, though.

50C8DAN

I am not sure but I remember an article in one of the late '80s WTN that commented on the steering boxes for PS vs. Manual. I will see if I can find it and email it to you, but the Hornet box was the same I believe but the Wasp box differed between the two, Jim which do you have? The Hornet and Wasp units were made by different suppliers also so they are definitely different but work the same basic way.

[Deleted User]

Hudsonguy,



what error message did you get?

bobbydamit

Does anyone remember a switch under the dash that had a red light on it and when turned on, the power steering was out, and when out it was working again. I was told, back in the 60's, that it was for power steering in the city and manual on the road. Was this standard with Hudson or did someone add a solenoid in the line? I has a 54 Hornet 4 dr. with this and it, had only 19,000 miles on the car.

It sadly was destroyed in a 4 car collision, that I was the only person not seriously injured, not even a scratch, as a Mercury station wagon hit me from the rear at 50+ MPH on a on ramp, and I had two cars in front of me, stopped, and I could do nothing but watch him coming. His girlfriend was killed. Three others went to the hospital in serious condition, I drove my car to my Fathers station, 4 miles away. I like to think that Hudson saved my life that day as it's was lost forever, with that poor young girl.

SuperDave

Jim

Sorry I didn't take the time to answer your question in more detail. The PS on a Hudson is much like many others of the era. Ford used the similar system into the late 60's at least. If you find all the stuff to convert a non PS car, you will be lucky. All the offers I have seen don't have the steering arm or steering stops included. I just completed an upgrade on a 54 Hornet and got a real education.. School of hard knocks so to speak. The cylinder and selector valve assembly can be remanufactured by Lares Corp. Ours cost $369.32 plus shipping to them. It comes back like new. They even welded a new piston in it. The pump is a Vickers pump and the same was used on a number of GM cars, so parts are available for rebuilding. Hoses can be made up locally by a hydraulic hose shop. Check around for heavy equipment repair shops. If you decide to do it. I would highly recommend doing it with the engine out. Much easier, especially if you need to manufacture the pitman arm stops. If you have any further questions, send me an email. Glad to help where I can.

By the way, the steering ratio remains the same, since all the arms are the same. Lots of wasted motion ! I am going to attemt to "speed up" the steering as soon as the car comes back from Tennessee. I have a pair of short outer steering arms I am going to try. They are from a right hand drive Wasp. Now talk about scarce parts!

50C8DAN

OK, I found the George Schmidt articles on power steering I was looking for. Who would like copies, send an email and I will send them.





HETdanwhite@mac.com (drop the HET)

SuperDave

I would, Then I can find out how I shoulda done it! Thanks,

Dave W.

SuperDave

bobbydamit wrote:

Does anyone remember a switch under the dash that had a red light on it and when turned on, the power steering was out, and when out it was working again. I was told, back in the 60's, that it was for power steering in the city and manual on the road. Was this standard with Hudson or did someone add a solenoid in the line? I has a 54 Hornet 4 dr. with this and it, had only 19,000 miles on the car.

It sadly was destroyed in a 4 car collision, that I was the only person not seriously injured, not even a scratch, as a Mercury station wagon hit me from the rear at 50+ MPH on a on ramp, and I had two cars in front of me, stopped, and I could do nothing but watch him coming. His girlfriend was killed. Three others went to the hospital in serious condition, I drove my car to my Fathers station, 4 miles away. I like to think that Hudson saved my life that day as it's was lost forever, with that poor young girl.

One of those was on Ebay a few months ago. it went for a very high price. it was NOS. The seller said it was a tool for Hudson Sales people to show potential buyers how much the power steering helped. Made sense to me. Otherwise, I couldn't figure out why anyone would want to turn off the power steering. Perhaps your car was a demonstrator?

Dave W.

50C8DAN

Dave:



they won't give you a lot of info about the mechanicals but background and one story about doing a Wasp installation.

[Deleted User]

I have a couple of reviews of the new 54's with power steering. Both state the power steering had a mushy feel to it and the cars without it had better road feel. I think these were installed so on the highway you could switch it off and only use it in town where it was more helpful.

Unknown

I was hoping to find a bolt in power steering box that I could hook up to a modern pump on my sbc ....ah well..wishful thinking. I don't think a set up like that ram would even fit with a v8......hmmm.....what did the 56 and 57's use for power steering?

dwardo99

A guy at the Pittsburgh National had a Super Wasp with such a device. I don't know if it was a dealer accessory or what but there was an electrically-controlled valve that could disable the power assist at the push of a button.

EssexAdv

BobbyDamit. There was an aftermarket gizmo which would turn off the flow of fluid within the P.S set up. The theroy was that if you turned off the flow you would stop the PS from functioning... true... and that you would save the HP...FALSE. But that is what you had

Unknown

dSIL have the on off switch with red light that comes on when power steering is turned off works off a solioid on pump, this was installed by Walt Chapman on my 53 Hornet convert that I purchased from his estate. works great BILL ALBRIGHT

EssexAdv

The interesting thing is that Hudson Power assist only comes in when there is about 10 lbs pressure on the drag link. There is a valve assembly on the back of the slave cyl that does not let pressurized fluid into the cyl unless it reaches the desired pressure. So, when you are on the Highway, the PS makes no difference... when in tight places, it comes on and helps you out. Having had 3 cars now with it I can vouch that the design does work. This is also mentioned in the Hudson Power Steering Installation and repair manual

[Deleted User]

Most people don't realize that the " Power Steering " on the stepdowns was NOT, power steering as we think of it today. It was a "POWER ASSIST" and was only effective when an input by the steering wheel caused a pressure change in the slave cylinder. I don't know exactly how it worked but I do know that the Hudson system, is similar to the system that Ford used on the early F1 pick-ups.

If anyone does come up with a suitable late model box, Let me know as I would be interested.

Bob

hudsonguy

51hornetA,



I finally figured it out (registering on your website, that is!) Great Site!



I downloaded various articles you have posted, thanks for the availabilty. BTW, I wanted to order one (or twenty) of those 7X Skeleton Engine Assemblies for $385, but the "attached order blank" wasn't there. Could you please forward one of those to me? LOL



Hudsonly,

Doug

[Deleted User]

You should download the old Clifford Catalogue the order form for 7X engines is in there. I have sent off 10 copies of that form to Clifford but have not heard back yet. LOL