Power steering thoughts
I have been giving some serious thought to converting the 49 to PS. I have decided that i don't want to convert to Rack and Pinion. I do have a rack and started to go that direction, also have a P/S pump and bracket off a 54, but changed my mind..I don't want to convert the steering shaft/box. I have a single lever std transmission and don't want to intall a PS sector either. So... Having done a total installation of a 54 PS on a 54, I see how it's done or WAS done by Hudson. The actuating cylinder works on the drag link. The Ford system from the early 60's, like Mustang and Fairlane, used a cylinder that worked on the tie rod. I'm wondering if someone has tried to match up the Ford parts and convert it to fit the Hudson drag link ? I'm sure there were other PS set ups on perhaps GM? that use the valve and cylinder system. If I had access to a junk yard so i could actually look at the parts and make measurements. I could do it myself. But I haven't been able to find anything that will work in the yard I have access to.. Why invent the wheel when someone else may have done it? Food for thought....
Dave W
Dave W
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Comments
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Follow up... The Hudson cylinder and valve are bolted together as one assembly. I did a Google search and found that an Early Corvette used a similar cylinder/valve assembly. I have emailed lares Corp and asked about the interchangeability.. Will post the results.0
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Hi Dave,
Did you ever get a chance to check out that PS unit that Nifty-Fifties sells for the F-1 Pick up? The unit in their catalog looks just like the Hudson unit and is power ASSIST not true power steering.
Bob0 -
BJ__TN wrote:Hi Dave,
Did you ever get a chance to check out that PS unit that Nifty-Fifties sells for the F-1 Pick up? The unit in their catalog looks just like the Hudson unit and is power ASSIST not true power steering.
Bob
No I haven't heard of that one.. I'll check.. By the way, thanks for the Newspaper. Dave:)0 -
A standard rack and pinion with the steeering arms coming out of the ends won't be satisfactory when fitted to a step down because that steering geometry clashes with the Hudson centre point steering geometry.
A rack and pinion that will work, and is often used in Australia to fit power steering to vehicles with centre point steering, is the one from a small 80s GM vehicle, here it was called the Camira, in the US I think it was the J-car series.
The rack is unusual among steering racks in that the steering arms, rather than coming out of the ends of the rack, come from the centre of the rack, which agrees with the Hudson centre point steering geometry.
Guys who do these power steering conversions have had a look under my step down and tell me the Camira power rack conversion is quite feasible for the car.
One appealing thing about a rack & pinion steering conversion is that it reduces the lost motion in the steering system by eliminating the drag link and the centre steering pivot. Has to make a step down even more fun to drive.0 -
Dave,
on my Hudson site a friend of mine has added power steering to his 53 Hornet sedan. The writeup is here. http://www.hudsonmotorcar.org/News/article/sid=20.html
be sure to read the comments below this as he also explains how to add power steering to a stock Hudson.0 -
a friend of mine is restoring a 61 corvette which has steering sector similar to a hudson--he used a rack and pinion off a dodge intrepid which the steering arms go to the center of the rack instead of off the ends----bob0
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I have made a little progress.. I now have a 54 pump and engine bracket. it lines up with my A/C belt, so a longer belt will provide the power. Now for the steering end. I want to go with the Isuzu steering box, but don't know what years to get. There seems to be three different part numbers for the various years from 84 to 95 He hasn't had time to reply yet. Anyone out there know?
Thanks, Davew0 -
Just as a note, I have a 59 chevy belair and they used a power steering ram just like what Hudson did. I don't know if they are identical or not and was thinking about checking into the differences. They might be quite a bit different as chev didn't have the center point steering. Just a thought.0
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Dave I sent you a PM
Bob0 -
Jim,
The system is similar, but the Hudson version had the valve and cylinder in one assembly. The other systems I looked at have the cylinder and servo valve separate and use hoses to connect them. I had given some thought to trying to make it work, but couldn't find parts to look at and take measurements from. There really is a limited amount of room to work with when you use the drag link to "assist". I have been told by several sources that the trooper 2 box will fit in the small confines of the original box. That would give me true power steering without the looseness induced by the servo valve. Finding the used box is a challange. If I knew what years I am looking for, I would be light years ahead!
Thanks, Davew0 -
Ha Super Dave I will give the name and # of a member that is doing one as we speek he has all of the info you need . Charles Fink 863-439-6480 Hudson Dave www.FatWhiteWalls.com0
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Thanks, I'll give him a call, Dave
Flash,
I just talked to him. he has installed a Isuzu box in his 52 Hornet coupe. All the Isuzu trooper type SUV's and some pickups use the same basic box. Three different part numbers and all are the same case and dimensions. Internal differences that change the ratio and such. But bottom line. from 1984 to 95 are useable in the Hudson.He also has a lead on a complete PS system locally, so now I have an excuse for another road trip.
Thanks to all for the help and suggestions.
Davew0 -
I would like to get more info on the Isuzu set up. Possibly some pictures on how it was done. Maybe he could post this?0
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Jim,
I will try to document my progress and report back to the forum. I'll take lots of pictures as I go along. I don't think he took any pictures. Charles gave me a lot of good info on the phone and I do plan to look at his Hornet as well.
I have gotten emails telling me that this should go on the modified forum. I am sure that doing a Japanese transplant makes some owners cringe. In my case, I have a 49 Super Six four door . The highest production car Hudson ever made. I don't think I am destroying any priceless artifact. There are lots of pristine examples of this car out there.
This seems to be a pretty well hidden modification and can make driving a stepdown not only more pleasurable, but POSSIBLE for us with declining physical abilities. Anything to keep the Hudsons on the road and enjoyed.
DaveW0 -
SuperDave wrote:Jim,
I will try to document my progress and report back to the forum. I'll take lots of pictures as I go along. I don't think he took any pictures. Charles gave me a lot of good info on the phone and I do plan to look at his Hornet as well.
I have gotten emails telling me that this should go on the modified forum. I am sure that doing a Japanese transplant makes some owners cringe. In my case, I have a 49 Super Six four door . The highest production car Hudson ever made. I don't think I am destroying any priceless artifact. There are lots of pristine examples of this car out there.
This seems to be a pretty well hidden modification and can make driving a stepdown not only more pleasurable, but POSSIBLE for us with declining physical abilities. Anything to keep the Hudsons on the road and enjoyed.
DaveW
The main thing about this modification is that nothing is being done to the car that cannot be reversed. The only things being monkeyed with are the steering shaft to the original sector and the arm going to the center point steering. Plenty of those in unrestorable cars if one should decide to go back to original.
I'm very interested in this change to the Hudson, I'm looking forward to more information and a good "how to" with pictures.
Thanks Super Dave
Mark0 -
Dave, Keep me posted on the swap. Sounds like something imight persue.
Bob0 -
I don't think this is a "modified" thing. You'd probably put on a '54 Hudson power steering unit if you could go down to your local Hudson dealer and have them install it.
Keep us posted on the progress0 -
I wouldn't worry about the purists too much. If we succeed I can assure you that many will follow suit. If this was available as a kit back in "the day"you can bet that many, many Hudson owners would have done it. ....sort of like adding seat belts to a Hudson...who is going to fault you for that?0
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I'm very interested in this as well. Please post pictures as you can. Thanks.0
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