Sometimes we need to know the history of a car to see the big picture. For example you may look at my '55 RanchWagon and get "perturbed" with me that I "butchered" it because it has a C-4 trans, granada power disks, 8" rear, power window and door locks, etc. without taking into account that if I hadn't "butchered" it, it would no longer be on the road. It would be a Hyundai by now.

It has "Salvaged" stamped on the pink slip and wears it's badge proudly.

Could have it been restored to stock? Maybe, at great expense. Cheaper (and with upgrades) to get a '74-75 Granada and "butcher" it by removing the C-4, Complete braking system, rear end, and various odds and ends that I either used or sold to finance the '55. Sold what was left for scrap.

Car still looks stock (tho lower) but handles and stopped great. Sound somewhat stock also as it has a '57 312".

Back to the Power steering. I posted in the past some instructions on installing a Granada Power Steering that Dick Cohen (RIP), founder of Drop n' Stop gave me. If you are interested I can repost. I have seen some using Jeep Cherokee steering boxes with an adapter plate as shown in the link. I'll see if I can find where I saw that. I think it was on the H.A.M.B.

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

I must admit I blow a gasket when I see a SBC in one of our cars...

Nice picture... Mom and Dad?


"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Since the automobile was invented (probably since the wheel) there have been people who like things stock and those that like to change things. If the latter didn't exist there would be no hot rods, customs etc. Thats the way it is. Leave the "its my way or the highway" attitude to the scrub owners. As far as the amount of work it takes, who cares, that's what I do.

Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

One of the great things about this hobby, and the people that represent it at Columbus, is the diversity. We have some members with concours restorations, street customs, hot rods and all out race cars (drag, circle dirt, circuit and land speed). And we all have one thing in common the Y-Block era cars and trucks. Each has done their car to suit themselves and the mods are impressive. I too don't like any other power plants in the Y era vehicles but at least in Columbus they must have Ford power to compete.

My car "MoonShadow" is representative of what I would of had in the early 1960's if I had the money. Right down to the McCullouch supercharger (for now, 4-71 is in the works) and the louvers. I certainly think we've all lived long enough to earn the right to "Do it My Way"! My soapbox. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

ct I crawled under the car and looked at the pitman arm that came with the Borgeson box and it has no apparent markings. It looks like an insert has been welded into the drag link end and re drilled to make it compatible with our drag link. The outside diameter of the splined end has been machined slightly to eliminate a pinch point with the new mounting bracket. Its hard to imagine that an Isuzu pitman arm would simply work but there appears to be no other modifications. It seems to be more heavy duty than the stock Ford pitman so I am guessing that they have not resplined a Ford pitman. They do use these boxes on Mustangs so maybe that is a source of the pitman. You could try checking with Borgeson but it may be a company secret. Good luck.

Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

Thanks for checking on it. The guy selling them on ebay said he sells a pitman end also that you weld on. So my guess is he knows what borgeson uses and sells the same thing, although you have to weld the end on yourself. So I will probably stick to the Granada power steering for now. I have it all, it works well enough according to those I know that have it, it looks just like the factory 56 p/s so that will appease our "leave it stock" crowd . It is surprising after all these years that there is not a more straight forward p/s setup for these cars, I have to admit.

We used to weld pitman arms on dirt cars, they took a wheel to wheel beating without failure. Usually the stock tie rods would bend, a good stick welder and forget a bout it. I get a kick out of the comments about butchering up cars, who are you to tell me what to do or not do with my car?





thanks, Mark

Ditto on the dirt track pitman arms. We welded a lot of taboo stuff to keep racing. Of course we always went with the best welder we had just to be cautious. Never had one break or even twist.

As far as car mods I don't think anyone on this site would be critical of you doing it your way. That is unless you put a scrub engine in! Of course then you are an old Ford guy but never again a Y's Guy. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Sure would like to try this setup on a 55 Bird. Anyone have any thoughts or real world experience on it?

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

I haven't seen Eddie Paskey on here for awhile - but I believe he has tried a couple of different steering systems on his 'bird. And he may correct me if he is still around - but I think he ditched the rack and pinion he had on there because of the turning radius.

So far as mods go - see the picture immediately below......

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona