Car has;  OHV V-8 , Auto Transmission

What is available to convert car to Power Steering?
What swaps work / What new kits work the best ?

  

I think that most of the kits on the market will work, so to me the question really is "what other changes to the car do you want or will accept and how much are you willing to pay?"  Depending on your particular circumstances, all the kits I know of may have some problem areas.  For instance, the original type of power steering using the hydraulic cylinder underneath the car is still available, using some new parts and maybe some rebuilt ones.  The problems in using this arrangement is cost ( I've seen some for sale as high as $4,000) and you still have the old steering's lack of feel and many turns of the steering wheel to go from lock to lock.  You do have an original appearing car, if that is important to you.

There is also the rack and pinion kits.  The cost of those seem to be about $2,000. However, using one of these kits involves changing over to disc brakes, which you may or may not want.  There can be a problem with bump steer using these kits, so if you decide on using this type of kit, do the research on which kit you get.  Some of these kits do allow you to use your old steering column and steering wheel.

Finally, there is the option of using a later steering box that provides "integrated" power steering, meaning the steering assist is done inside the steering box and there is no hydraulic cylinder used. These boxes are what are used on some later model cars and  provide a steering feel a little more like the later model cars.  The typical cost for these kits is usually about $1,500.  The problems associated with using these kits  are a more difficult installation and maybe clearance problems with exhaust manifolds and/or headers.  Also, these kits usually require changing the steering column  over to a different one, so you lose the "originality" appearance. 

All these prices are just for the kits and do not include having the installation done professionally, so there could be a major impact on your budget if you do not do the work yourself.  Get all the advice, recommendations and prices you can and see which kit and which service organization best fits your individual needs. Most of all, enjoy the experience.

Larry

If you want to go with an original set up all 54 to 56 Ford and Mercury power steering interchange. The pumps are the same 54 to 64 but you need the mounting bracket that's fits a Y-block V8 engine.   

Go & join, if you haven't already, the HAMB forum (part of the Jalopyjournal.com)
Join the 52-59 Ford Social Group.
All your questions will be answered there

The Crown Victoria Owners Association, which would be happy to have you as a member, has a publication called the FOMOCO Times which running a series of articles by one of members converting to a late model box and converting the stock column to accept it. I'm sure you can still get the copies which are very informative.

I've paid to have my stock PS control valve twice and finally did it myself to stop the leaking. The older system is power assist and to me works well even tho there is a lot to go wrong. Good luck.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

The Crown Victoria Assn has a tech piece about using a Granada/Monarch unit for the early Fords.  It is essentially the same as a stock 54-57 unit.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ