[Jack21]

Power steering in a CR Cobra.

This seems to be the #2 bane of all street rod, and Cobra builders. (#1 is electrical, and #3 is air conditioning). The Saginaw power steering pump and Mustang II power rack were never designed to work together. The late Mustang ('79 - up) power racks and either Ford, or Saginaw pumps will work together.

1) Power rack. Use the '79 - up late Mustang power rack as rebuilt by AGR (Andy Granitelli Racing). Summit has them. You want the high effort valving, standard ratio. It is the high effort valving that provides the road feel. The standard ratio (20:1) is 3 turns, lock to lock, and is plenty for a short wheelbase Cobra. The passenger side of the rack mount on the CR frame is slotted to accomodate either a MII, or late Mustang rack. Use offset rack bushings to mount the rack down closer to the MII rack centerline. You'l save about 50 pounds as the MII rack is cast iron, and the late Mustang is aluminum.

Power steering pump. Any '70's - '80's GM (Saginaw) non-metric pump will work, but the AGR from Summit is a nice low effort unit. In fact the Saginaw is not a GM pump, but is used on most cars and light trucks with recirculating ball steering boxes including Ford pickups, and vans. My upper pump bracket is off a Ford pickup. I had to fabricate a lower bracket for proper pump clearance.

Pressure relief valve. AGR will tell you that either the Ford Mustang, or Saginaw power steering pump will work. But a low pressure relief valve is available from RB's Antique Automotive that drops the operating pressure to work with lightweight front ends as found on street rods, and Cobras.

Hydraulic lines. Got a Chevy, and Ford high side line from auto supply store. Cut the connectors off each end, and had them mated with a short hydraulic line by a hydraulics shop.

Pump side return line is already on the pump. Rack side return line came from Ford parts, and shortened. Piece of fuel injection hose completed the connection.

Pump is mounted on drivers side. Steering column shaft goes over the header, and under the pump, and is a close fit.

Works like it was factory installed.