55 bird electric power steering


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By RB - 3 Years Ago
Has anyone installed one of these systems?    What are your impressions, and how hard was it to install?.. Is the servo motor noisy?  Thanks.. EPAS is one of the companies offering these...  It looks like a good option and gets away from hydraulic lines and pumps and foreign steering boxes
By DryLakesRacer - 3 Years Ago
I belong to the Crown Victoria Association and in the monthly publication FOMOCO Times there was an article by a gentleman who did this. It was a few years ago on an 55 Crown Vic and I don’t remember the manufacturer but it seemed like a lot of work more that what’s implied. Others have done it using “junkyard” parts on other makes. All involved cutting the column.
If you find a PS box you like and can use another guy I see at car show gatherings used a Volvo electric PS pump that work fine. This way needs another column too or shortening yours and using a “rag” coupler. At least you don’t need to worry about shift linkage.. good luck..
By RB - 3 Years Ago
It looks like you shorten the column and it goes under the dash..nothing in the engine compartment.. At this point in my life I am seeking the simplest of solutions.. This looks easier than original parts with all their leaks and easier than squeezing a steering box and pump in there.. If I go this route I will give a report on it.. Wife does not like horsing it around in tight spaces... and it's her car.. been promising this for a couple years..
By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
Anything, other than the original setup, will require modifying the steering column. I seem to recall having read that the electric conversion can't be used on telescopic steering columns, so you'll want to check on that. I don't blame you for not wanting to use the stock power steering. Admittedly, power assist/w smaller steering wheel would be nice. I will keep my 55's manual steering until I'm no longer able to drive it; in which case, I probably shouldn't be driving anyway. 
By kevink1955 - 3 Years Ago
This was my install on a 56 Fairlane, I do not know how much room is under the dash in a Tbird for the motor but with the floor shifter at least you do not have to mess with the shift tube.
If the horn wire runs thru the steering shaft you need the workaround for that also

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic112422.aspx
By miker - 3 Years Ago
I did a R&P conversion on my 55 bird years ago. I removed a rebuilt, rechromed column and replaced it with an aftermarket tilt tele unit. After a lot of additional work it works fine. The whole works was a waste of my time and money for the improvement.

It's going to be pretty difficult to modify the original column, probably almost impossible to retain the telescoping feature to add the electrics under the dash. Under the hood is pretty tight on a bird and hard against the exhaust, most electrics don't like heat.

What I ended up with was a slightly faster ratio and a wheel I could move up when I had to work under the dash.

I had a rebuilt 3 sector box and a rebuilt power steering unit. The slight vagueness, leaking etc. in that was much easier to put up with than all the work and money involved.

I know you've got access to sophisticated machine work, but even so...

Kind of hard to admit "stupid", but better than sending someone down that road. Just go buy the conversion stuff from the Tbird guys. I assume they're still available.
By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
I have been contemplating this mod myself on and off for a few years. Every option has drawbacks.  My 55 TBird has a manual transmission. I have seen the electric power steering conversion on my buddy's 66 Fairlane with a 4 speed.  If it fits at all, it may be even tighter in a 55 TBird.   I do not wish to cut up my steering column.  I'm 6' tall and the only way I can drive my TBird is to telescope the steering column all the way out.  Then you have the issue of selling the car.  Will the next buyer want a cut up car?  For this reason, all the mods I have done can be reversed. My stock manual steering is as tight as it was built, and I'm leaving it that way.
By KULTULZ - 3 Years Ago
Then you have the issue of selling the car.  Will the next buyer want a cut up car?  For this reason, all the mods I have done can be reversed.


BINGO!

Very well stated
By RB - 3 Years Ago
My car is not original. It has a fiberglass front clip and buckets and a console from a 60 bird... If my wife could deal with the manual steering (and brakes) I would not bother.  As it is she really has a hard time maneuvering in tight spots, and that bus size wheel is right on my lap when I drive it. I don't use the tele feature anyway..I hope someone speaks up who has installed one in a bird.  Mine is an automatic,. radio and heater delete.
By MoonShadow - 3 Years Ago
I bought a Toyota unit for my roadster. It really needs help when sitting still to turn the wheels. I've driven a lot of cars with the electric assist and it is remarkably smooth and easy. I've also never heard any noise from one of the units. I plan to make a couple of collars to make the transition to the I-Didit column and floor bracket. Other than what there isn't much to it. The steering unit can be mounted as high or low as you need and can be indexed for clearance.
By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
I've seen a few 1955-57 T-birds with Borgeson conversions. Again, the steering column has to be modified. The 56-57 steering column is a bit shorter than the 55's to provide space for the 56-57 steering wheel. The aftermarket has a smaller-diameter 56/57-style steering wheel. I'm pretty sure that the steering column does not look altered in the passenger compartment, but the outer tube is cut away under the hood, exposing the column. I think a universal is installed under the hood as well, making the column safer. With other mods done to your car, like fiberglass front clip, modifying the steering column probably isn't a concern. 
By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
A good friend of mine has a 1955 Thunderbird Resto Mod. He built it from a body shell and a pile of parts he purchased from a relative.  At one time this car had an Olds engine, so It's fate was already shaky. It now has rack and pinion power steering, four wheel disk brakes and a Mustang 5.0 motor with air conditioning. This car is highly modified with tucked in bumpers, custom bucket seat interior and all kinds of really cool touches. It's one of the nicest RestoMods I have seen. Unrestored drive able Thunderbirds are currently selling in the high teens low twenties. At Barret Jackson, a Resto Mod like his is closer to $50K.   These cars are perfect platforms for modernization.   I bought my TBird as a time machine, so I prefer to keep it's 50-60s character. Obviously, old timers like me aren't going to be around forever. Anything you can do to improve your car's safety and driveability is a good thing.
By RB - 3 Years Ago
Sorry for the crappy glare pictures  but this is somewhere  between stock and a resto mod.http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/uploads/images/a11b239c-962d-43a4-bd2d-4da0.jpghttp://forums.y-blocksforever.com/uploads/images/d462be65-c0d1-4267-9f0b-c9dd.jpghttp://forums.y-blocksforever.com/uploads/images/daaa1dba-f841-464d-b700-0411.jpghttp://forums.y-blocksforever.com/uploads/images/2aa7abcb-ab67-43af-8e09-6c84.jpg
By DryLakesRacer - 3 Years Ago
Don’t mean to take away from electric power steering but..RB.. how does the Summit Carb perform for you and what CFM is it?. I notice you don’t have a hose at the lower right front of the carb for a PVC feed. Are you using the pipe plug the carb at the rear for that or not using a PVC system. Thanks.
By RB - 3 Years Ago
Summit carb is spot on. It is 600 cfm. Check Ted Eaton's comments  .He likes them a lot... I put a rubber grommet and PCV valve in the hole where the daft tube was in the valley pan.. Short hose going to back of carb.
By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
Love the bucket seats!  What seats are they?  What seat tracks did you use? Did they increase leg room?  Thanks!
By RB - 3 Years Ago
Buckets and console are from a 60 bird  I had to buy some aftermarket slider brackets.. I am 6'1 and leg room is just adequate with seat back as far as it can go..  Big steering wheel is more of an obstruction
By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
Too bad they don't make a smaller steering wheel for a 55 TBird.  They make one for the '56 & '57.  My understanding is you must swap out the entire '55 column for a '56 or '57 to use an aftermarket wheel?   Anyone ever done this?
By RB - 3 Years Ago
My car started out as a 1/2 finished project. It was missing a steering wheel  What is on there is a 55 Mercury wheel.  I sure would like to find a smaller dia.  The 56-57 column is shorter because of the steering wheel dish used on those years..  The column could be shortened but the steering shaft would have to be swapped out for a 56 or 57, I will end up shopping around for an aftermarket wheel that looks appropriate
By Joe-JDC - 3 Years Ago
When I bought my '55 Thunderbird, the previous owner had a Grant wood steering wheel on the car so she could get the seat up close.  It was something like 14" in diameter.  She kept the Grant and had the original installed when I bought the car.  I can barely get my legs between the seat and steering wheel, and I am not heavy at 182 lbs and 6'.  Joe-JDC
By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
I am 6' 220 pounds. My TBird has a manual transmission.  As you can imagine, I am a tight fit.   I loosen the collar on the telescopic wheel and pull the steering wheel all the way out.  This gives me enough room to work the pedals without hitting the steering wheel. It's not bad once you get used to it.  If you have an aftermarket steering wheel, you may not have the ability to adjust the wheel. Seat and leg room is a big challenge with these cars. If you have the soft top, it's worse.  Without it, you can lean the seat back more, 
By RB - 3 Years Ago
When I installed the buckets I was able to drop the seat a little lower without the power seat mechanism  My thighs just barely fit under the wheel. I think there is a bit more room than the bench seat though.  My friend in Indy who is about 6'3 went radical and modified his floor so he could get in and out
By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
RB, someone is selling OEM 55 T-bird power steering, minus pump, on ebay for $650. Parts are shown in place on car and look well worn. 
By 1/8cavman - 3 Years Ago
I moved my seat mounting points for the studs on the seat frame forward and gained 1 inch. Has no power seat. I am 6", 190. RB your interior looks great, the console looks factory, Does the seat back rest on the buckets fit under the body in back?
















By RB - 3 Years Ago
The seat backs ALMOST fit under the rear panel  but not quite.. If you had them specially upholstered they would
By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
The biggest problem with gaining seat room in these cars is the soft top. When the top is up, the swing mechanism holds the seat back in an almost vertical position. Relocating the seat tracks does not fix this issue.  When the top is down, the top folds behind the seat.  This allows a little more room, but it's still a tight fit for taller drivers. I believe the answer for me is to ditch the soft top completely. This will allow further rearward tilting of the seat back. Perhaps even allow room for the seat to tuck under the garnish rail?  My hard top has a porthole.  Whoever thought putting a boat porthole in the side of a beautiful car like that must have been design challenged.  It allowed more rear visibility, but it doesn't fit the car. I think non porthole 55 TBirds look more like a sports car than a country club chariot. My body man thinks he can fill my porthole top. We'll see.
By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
I appreciate your honest opinion, Phil. I have both tops for my 55. I had actually considered installing the port holes in my hardtop, even though they were not an available option for 55. People associate the port holes with the 55-57 Birds, and the port holes, as you said, help to reduce the blind spot. However, I suddenly realized that I, too, prefer the look of the top w/o port holes, and it would be a shame to cut holes in the original top. I've decided to install a right-side mirror, instead. I'll put tape on the base of the mirror to protect the paint, have a helper move it around until the sweet spot is found, and then mark the location before mounting holes are drilled. Someone on another forum did the same thing, but ended up relocating the left mirror, so the two mirrors were in alignment but still useful. 

I'm also considering leaving the soft top out of the car, but I won't part with it. 
By Florida_Phil - 3 Years Ago
My Tbird was 100% bone stock when I purchased it.  It has had numerous modifications. All of them were aimed at improving safety and performance. I have kept all the original parts.  My garage is filled with original heads, intakes, teapots, brake drums, a radiator and shroud, a tach drive distributor, steel wheels, hubcaps and lots more.   I intend to keep all these parts and pass them on to the next owner. I'll store my soft top as well.  Whoever gets this car after me better have a big garage. BigGrin
By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
Sounds familiar. Whiscruber top I use, it will remain on/up most of the time.