'54 Hudson Power Steering

Richard E.
Richard E. Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I am interested in hearing from anyone who has adapted the '54 Hudson power steering unit to a '50 Commodore 6 with a standard transmission. I have the engine out of my '50C6 right now so everything is easy to get to. I just removed the power steering unit out of my '54 Hornet and it looks like it is not going to be as simple as I have been led to believe (as if anything every is!)



I am concerned about my shift linkage conflicting with the stop mechanism on the PS unit and also about the length of the PS ram unit - vs - the stock steering on the '50C6. Please feel free to PM or email me if you have experience with this.



Thank you.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Richard: Ivan Z comes here on occasion, he has converted several vehicles to PS using the 54 unit. I would guess he has the answers you seek. Good Luck.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Thanks Ken, I think that Ivan is racing his Railton over in Coronado today, so I will have to wait until he gets back up to San Francisco. Ivan is always a good source of info.
  • dave s
    dave s Senior Contributor, Moderator
    I have installed power steering on our 1951 and 1952 Hornet convertibles and 1952 Hornet sedan with no problems. As long as you change center steering arm and pitman arm from the donor car.



    I have another complete p/s unit that I am going to install on our 1948 C8 that will take some modification of bracket to the 8 cylinder engine, but everything else will bolt right on.
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    Dave I plan to add PS to my '50 C8 so if you get there before I do please post what you are doing.



    thanks
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Dave,



    I did not know that you had to change the center steering arm along with the pitman arm and the drag link? That actually makes sense, because the orientation of the center steering arm on my '50 seems incorrect. So do I need to completely exchange the center steering unit from the '54 with the one on the '50? I am putting the steering from the '50 on the '54 so both cars will be operable when I am finished. I just want the PS on my '50C6. Is there any conflict with the gear shifting linkage? It seems to be located exactly where the stop mechanism needs to be for the PS.



    Thanks for your help.
  • dave s
    dave s Senior Contributor, Moderator
    I can not answer that for positive, as the 4 sterring units that I changed were all hydramatic and my son's 54 HHH with p/s is also hydramatic. Our 1954 Hornet with factory installed power steering has a standard transmission with overdrive. Is a double lever transmission and yours is single lever. I won't know if there is an issue with linkage until I install p/s on our 1949. Sorry.
  • Fred
    Fred Expert Adviser
    I have 54 power power steering on my 48 Comm. 8 single leaver transmission. I didn't put it on so I can't give specifics. We did not change pitman arm or center point steering as I sold all that with the 54 body. It works brilliantly. (We did cut fluid reservoir down to fit under the hood of the 48).

    Fred L.
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    Fred:



    Your link you sent to me some time ago that shows your H8 with the PS pump does not work anymore and I stupidly did not download the pics. Can you post them here by any chance.



    Thanks
  • Fred
    Fred Expert Adviser
    Dan, I'm not good at pictures but I will try when I get home. I have your e-mail and will send them to you if I can do it.

    Fred
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