Power Steering in!

fxbill · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005, 07:07 PM

I finally got around to getting the power steering mounted in my car yesterday. It took about a week to gather up all the correct hoses and fittings and to make the correct steering shaft, but the results are outstanding! It is a little sensitive since the ratio is quicker, but I didn't install it for the ease of steering. I put it in to dampen out all the vibrations and shocks I used to get in the steering wheel whenever I'd hit a big bump or a pothole in the road. I used an early Pinto unit that I found on Ebay....new in the box for $102. Hoses and fittings were $75 from a local shop and I had some offset bushings already here to raise the rack up to correct some of the bump steer that I used to have. I had to make a steering shaft by welding up a mount and rag connector with the upper end of a flaming river shaft that I had. The pump is a late model Ford unit that came on the engine with the March serpentine kit that was with it.
It took all of a day...mostly fitting the steering shaft, but the results were well worth it. One quick trip up a bumpy road with lots of ruts let me know that what I was hoping for was reality. The steering wheel feels smooth and only a hint of vibration is felt even when hitting heavy ruts or bumps. It used to almost be jerked out of my hands!
I also installed a new set of Team Three wheels...17" x 11" rear and 17" x 9" front. 315/35/17 rears and 245/45/17 fronts... Sumitomo. AA traction rated.. less than $80 apiece from the tire rack on line and the traction problems that I've always had are a thing of the past! Man...these things hook up!!!!
The only thing I'd like to do is provide a bit more feel to the steering now. I have several high pressure needle valves that I think would do it, but I recall someone mentioning that one of the companies he dealt with had a device made specifically for doing just that. Does anyone remember who it was?
Oh yes....one more thing.... I waited several weeks for my wheels and spoke with Scott almost daily...( squeeky wheel gets greased)... The wheels are gorgeous....all except for one thing..... I ordered 6" of front space on the fronts and 6" of front space on the rears. The fronts came with 5" of front space on the fronts and a whopping 7 1/4" of front space on the rears..... Now my car looks like a toad!!!! I was able to correct the fronts with some 1/2" spacers, but unfortunately you can't do anything with the backs short of getting new wheels or cutting down the rear.... If I cut the rear I'll just get pin drives and real knock offs...that's what I wanted to begin with. Oh well..... I'll start out with Scott tomorrow and see what went wrong....maybe he just sent me someone else's wheels...... You'd think for almost 2 grand though that everything would be exactly as you ordered them....

Oh yes.... One other questions for you guys. When I installed the TKO600 I had to put in a new clutch as well. I noticed right off the bat that there was not much room for the TO bearing lever to go back in to the bellhousing. Now after several weeks of driving it has been adjusted to the point of being all the way back against the rear of the bellhousing cutout. I thought a simple bit of grinding would solve it, but after looking more closely today I now realize that the back of the cutout is not a lip that can be groind down... it is the actual rear of the bellhousing. I either need a different release lever or a shorter TO bearing. I'va also seen this entioned before.... What was the final outcome and correct solution?
Thanks!
Bill

jdean · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005, 07:42 PM

Bill,

I'm glad the PS worked out. I know I like mine, especially with a heavy big block. I fabricated a chevy PS unit onto my 460, and with those you can order valve that helps take the lightness out of the feel. Stays straight and does not wander at all with road surfaces or bumps. Another thing I like about PS is it takes all the turning load off of the steering shaft and wheel.

Coincidentally, I just sent in my deposit for Team IIIs also. Hope my backspacing is as ordered because even with 10", there is not much room for error either way on the CRs in the back. With the 11" width you ordered, man the spacing had to be on the dime to fit right at all.

Let us know how the wheel saga works out.

John

fxbill · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005, 08:02 PM

Thanks!.... Surprisingly enough I could easily fit 12" rims under the back. I merely had to tie back the emergency brake cables a little closer to the frame, but that was about it...
Yes... The PS is great...especially if I can find that valve that was mentioned here once.
Scott is a very agreeable guy. I'm sure you'll be happy with the wheels. He has a new model out and they're drop dead beautiful.... You'll love em!

fxbill · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2005, 08:52 PM

Found it!.... It's Heidt's adjustable power steering control valve. It's not just a simple needle valve that I originally thought. It is actually a spring loaded plunger valve that bleeds off pressure above the set point and returns it to the return line. That way regardless of the engine speed the feel will be the same instead of varying like a needle valve would do.
The url for it is... http://www.heidts.com/heip27.htm#power
$79....not bad!

fxbill · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2005, 03:25 PM

Just discovered the answer to the clutch arm bottoming out... I bought a new clutch arm pivot stud....lathed it down, counterbored the base of the stud and now I can set the height to exactly what I want and then weld the sud back into place. Easy job...( aside from pulling the tranny again!)

fxbill · #6 (**permalink**) 08-14-2005, 03:26 PM

fxbill · #7 (**permalink**) 08-14-2005, 03:28 PM

fxbill · #8 (**permalink**) 08-14-2005, 03:32 PM

Also.... I bought a new release arm thinking the angle might be a bit different....It isn't, but now the arms come with a 2 or 3 pound weight bolted into the end near where the cable attaches to it. Any ideas why this weight has been added? The arm weighs a ton now!