I am considering a new power steering project for my wife's 1950 Pontiac. Now I may be corrected here, and please do so If I am wrong. to my knowledge there was no power steering for a 1950 Pontiac or Chevy , am I correct?
Ok, I asked, I think I know the answer , hence my new direction requires me to alter my steering column. This raises concern with me because I don't want to jeopardize the car as it currently is an operating vehicle .
So , timbuk has two spare steering columns but they are for a 1953, Pontiac I believe, sorry if I am wrong Tim
My shop manual does cover the 1953 Pontiac and I don't know if there is a physical difference.
Comments are much appreciated, hoping to get confirmation
Best Regards
Dale
-- Edited by silver steak on Tuesday 8th of September 2020 12:01:30 PM
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New Brunswick , 1950 Pontiac Silver Streak 2 Dr Sedan, 1967 Beaumont, 1985 Sierra 1500 One Owner
I dont think power steering was available until 1953 on Chevrolet or Canadian Pontiacs. There was an integral power cylinder built into the top of the steering box. Probably really hard to find one now. I have only ever seen two. One on a 54 ragtop that also had factory power windows!, and another one on a four door with a powerglide. Here is a link to the shop manual section on power steering.
There was a member on the forum previously named Fritz and he has a shop in Quebec. He is a dealer for electric assisted power steering for these old cars. I can't remember what year his car is but he detailed his restoration on the site.
You wrote " There was a member on the forum previously named Fritz and he has a shop in Quebec. He is a dealer for electric assisted power steering for these old cars. I can't remember what year his car is but he detailed his restoration on the site."
__________________ Jerel
Thanks for the reply, I guess I did not express myself correctly. I am planning a Hydraulic Rack and Pinion Power Steering project. I did consider the EPAS, electric power assist concept but, in further investigating the real issue, the original 1950 design , pivot points the central joint / swivel, the original sector and Pittman arm the arm from the Pittarm to the center swivel , there are just too many ball joints or swivel connections that lead to slack, the car drives OK, but can be better, hence the reason to power and improve it.
I recently watched a U tube video by David luggendin, I hope I spelt that correctly, anyway he is from Calgary AB , and he has put up three video's on the process of installing a 1994 cavalier R&P on a 1951 Chevrolet Fleetline. The reason for that R&P is because it is center driven , no tie rods on the ends of it , and that way I get to use my original tie rods. I like the concept so I am going with it. In this concept the steering column will be cut just below the Shift transmission ( maximum length cannot exceed 35" ) and adapted to a thrust bearing and a shaft retainer at the bottom end with a double D at the complete end for the shaft for the universal joint. The column will be affixed to the fire wall with a plate c/w jam connection and also include a free opening in the plate for the shift selector column.
Of course all of my original pieces on the car will be removed ( not butchered ) and stored until the project is completed, tested and proven. This is why I am looking for a Steering column, found one but it is a 1953 column, which is my question, is a 1950 and a 1953 column the same ?
Dale
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New Brunswick , 1950 Pontiac Silver Streak 2 Dr Sedan, 1967 Beaumont, 1985 Sierra 1500 One Owner
Pretty sure the 53 is the same as the late 1950 column, apart from needle bearings replacing bushes in the box. The 49s and early 50s had a different ratio. When the ratio was changed the steering box was marked with an X on the top.
Watched the u tube video on the conversion. It's certainly well thought out and well made. Good luck with the conversion Dale. Could do with a right hand drive version.
I don't see a problem using this concept on a Right Hand Drive car, I have recently seen other center drive rack and pinions, actually one was on a Honda of a sort.
The 1994 rack and pinion is made to mount on the left, at least the one that I have bought. My brackets are fabricated and will be mounting them to the rack in the coming month.
Thanks again for the confirmation of the column, I have made arrangement with timbuk for the 1953 column. Coming together slowly.
regards
Dale
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New Brunswick , 1950 Pontiac Silver Streak 2 Dr Sedan, 1967 Beaumont, 1985 Sierra 1500 One Owner
well guys mission completed column went coast to coast think it took 2 weeks canada post hope its whatcha need good luck with mod hope we get to see it getting done! 10% to site!
Just came in from the shop and was thinking about the thread I started called Steering Column. Well I should have changed the title by now, but what the hell since I did explain that it was not going to be a Power Assist steering system rather it was going to be a hydraulic Rack and Pinion System, not to digress too much about past submissions. Anyway, I though I would post a few pictures of the system to date.
In short the only item left to deal with is the power steering /alternator bracket, belts all the rest is finished waiting for a REAL wheel alignment, my string method is pretty crude, but I should be close. You'll notice that I have a double V pulley on my alternator, I decided it would easier to drive the PS pump from the alternator rather than change the crank and water pump pulleys.
Have a Happy holiday everyone, be safe
Dale
-- Edited by silver steak on Wednesday 23rd of December 2020 01:40:41 PM
-- Edited by silver steak on Wednesday 23rd of December 2020 01:44:24 PM
Project Completed. I finished mounting the Bracket that holds both the alternator and the Saginaw power steering pump complete with hoses , bled the system manually side to side, tighten one leak, I had to relocate the battery to the right hand side of the car ran out of room on the left. I started the engine late last evening, did the right to left some more and now we have a 1950 Pontiac with a really nice TIGHT power steering system. Next , we're off to the wheel alignment shop to check and correct my primitive wheel alignment. Can hardly wait to take it on the road for a test drive. This was quite a learning process.
Regards
Dale
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New Brunswick , 1950 Pontiac Silver Streak 2 Dr Sedan, 1967 Beaumont, 1985 Sierra 1500 One Owner
That looks awesome there Dale, just like it was meant to be. You may find yourself getting some requests once people see this. A very good friend of mine started a similar business for the old Mustangs. Has a website now called Randalls Racks and has sold hundreds of these around the world.
