So how hard is it? Is this something that a relative newcomer can manage, or is this something that should probably be done by somebody who is experienced?
For the record my plan is to go from shot manual steering with a stock column and grant wheel (lots of play, etc) to borgeson power steering with an ididit tilt column and a lecarra wheel.
__________________ "Natalie", '66 Coupe
Freshly Rebuilt 4-Speed w/ Hurst Performance Plus
289, Holley Carb, Edelbrock Intake and Water Pump, Tefba, Summit Direct Fit Rad
3.55 with Posi, Zoom Clutch
Next On the Agenda:
Interior - Replace floorpans (in progress), new carpet, tilt column, new steering wheel
Exterior/Body/Performance: Windshield (in progress), New cowl (in progress), weatherstripping, power steering
I put one in my 68. Everything was a snap until I got to mounting the Saginaw pump on the front of the engine. Because I have my alternator on that side, the pump had to go below it. The mounting bracket from Borgeson doesn't fit in that position so I had to modify the bracket which was a hit and miss deal. Had I opp't for a Ford pump (much much cheaper) and had Borgeson build the hoses to match the install I would have been dollars ahead and had a much soother install. If you have nothing on the left side of the engine then their set up and installation is a no brainer. If you do then get a Ford pump and an after market bracket which there are a ton of to select from. There is no selection of Saginaw brackets for a Ford small block.
did you need a lift to get to the hoses and all, or did you put it on jack stands or what? I'm still not comfortable getting underneath of a car with jack stands.
__________________ "Natalie", '66 Coupe
Freshly Rebuilt 4-Speed w/ Hurst Performance Plus
289, Holley Carb, Edelbrock Intake and Water Pump, Tefba, Summit Direct Fit Rad
3.55 with Posi, Zoom Clutch
Next On the Agenda:
Interior - Replace floorpans (in progress), new carpet, tilt column, new steering wheel
Exterior/Body/Performance: Windshield (in progress), New cowl (in progress), weatherstripping, power steering
Get good jack stands that have a good review by those who have purchased them. You need one jack stand so you can remove the left front wheel. Hoses can be installed from on top. I have really large long collector headers. I had to remove the left one to get the steering box fitted up. Will your Ididit column be collapsible? Mine is and all I had to do was shove the telescoping steering rod up about 3 Inches into the column to get the box to fit. This photo story tells how to install into a 67/68 Mustang. Intergral Power Steering Borgeson Power Steering Unit Photo 1
Here is a step by step for a 66 Mustang. Also if you look on the Youtube you should find videos on how this is done on your car:
Don't see why you couldn't do it! I did a rack and pinion install on jackstands... and can I just say that I got real good at benching the weight of that rack trying to get that thing in place The absolute hardest part is pulling out the old steering box, unless you've got no engine in.
For what it's worth, everyone's a newcomer til they've done it once If you never do it, you'll always be the newbie! Nothing wrong with that, just a thought.
__________________ Calamity Jane aka "The Maybe-Not-So-Evil B$*&#"
1966 Fastback
289 v8, Powerjection III EFI, mild cam
4-speed, 3.25 9" rear
Power disc brakes, Unisteer power R&P
Pertronix ignition, RetroSound Model One radio, Classic Auto Air A/C, etc...
Three years of work for three days of perfection. This pony WILL get back out on the road and it WILL reliably take me where I want to go... and it will always, always keep me safe.
The nice thing about the Borgeson is that there are NO hoses or cylinders, etc. underneath the car. There are only 2 hoses that run from the power steering pump to the top of the steering box. The hardest part about the installation is removing the old steering box and that's only if you try to take it all out in one piece.
I just looked at how to remove the steering box in a 66 and I was shocked at what a difference there is in the procedure compared to a 68 with a rag joint. It's good that you are intending to replace the column with an Ididit since you have to remove yours anyway to get the steering box out. It is more involved but certainly not impossible. You are going to need two jack stands to get the front end way up so you have clearance for the steering rod. Read this article on how to do it at Mustang Monthly:
Thank you all for the great info. Kelly you are totally right, if I never do it I'll always be a newbie. Some stuff I'm okay with that (I won't touch setting up rear gears for the life of me) but other stuff would be great to learn.
__________________ "Natalie", '66 Coupe
Freshly Rebuilt 4-Speed w/ Hurst Performance Plus
289, Holley Carb, Edelbrock Intake and Water Pump, Tefba, Summit Direct Fit Rad
3.55 with Posi, Zoom Clutch
Next On the Agenda:
Interior - Replace floorpans (in progress), new carpet, tilt column, new steering wheel
Exterior/Body/Performance: Windshield (in progress), New cowl (in progress), weatherstripping, power steering
I put one in my 68. Everything was a snap until I got to mounting the Saginaw pump on the front of the engine. Because I have my alternator on that side, the pump had to go below it. The mounting bracket from Borgeson doesn't fit in that position so I had to modify the bracket which was a hit and miss deal. Had I opp't for a Ford pump (much much cheaper) and had Borgeson build the hoses to match the install I would have been dollars ahead and had a much soother install. If you have nothing on the left side of the engine then their set up and installation is a no brainer. If you do then get a Ford pump and an after market bracket which there are a ton of to select from. There is no selection of Saginaw brackets for a Ford small block.
Saginaw pumps were used on Lincolns and trucks/vans- lots of 302 powered trucks and vans.
__________________
As the drill sergeant said, "I taught you everything you know. I didn't teach you everything I know."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
- Douglas Adams
I did a rack and pinion install, but I did run into an issue getting my old steering box out. It wouldn't come out with the header installed, so I had to remove it to have enough clearance to get the box out. If you don't have headers, then it should be an easy swap for you.
I just looked at how to remove the steering box in a 66 and I was shocked at what a difference there is in the procedure compared to a 68 with a rag joint. It's good that you are intending to replace the column with an Ididit since you have to remove yours anyway to get the steering box out. It is more involved but certainly not impossible. You are going to need two jack stands to get the front end way up so you have clearance for the steering rod. Read this article on how to do it at Mustang Monthly:
If you're going to replace both the box and the column, just hack off the column a couple inches from the box and BOTH will come out separately with little problem.
If you're going to replace both the box and the column, just hack off the column a couple inches from the box and BOTH will come out separately with little problem.
I figured that since I have to remove the column anyways to get the box out, I might as well take the time and put in my tilt/collapsible column that I've really wanted...an extra inch or two away from my legs will make the car infinitely more driveable, not to mention changing over to power steering. Then I can start to feel like my chore:fun ratio on driving the car is better than 50:50.
__________________ "Natalie", '66 Coupe
Freshly Rebuilt 4-Speed w/ Hurst Performance Plus
289, Holley Carb, Edelbrock Intake and Water Pump, Tefba, Summit Direct Fit Rad
3.55 with Posi, Zoom Clutch
Next On the Agenda:
Interior - Replace floorpans (in progress), new carpet, tilt column, new steering wheel
Exterior/Body/Performance: Windshield (in progress), New cowl (in progress), weatherstripping, power steering
Saginaw pumps were used on Lincolns and trucks/vans- lots of 302 powered trucks and vans.
Yeah I have seen the vans and others but I needed a selection of brackets to choose from for my installation and the only ones that would work for me were for Ford pumps. March and others had nothing that would work for my set up. So I had to make one. It's ugly but it works.
__________________ 1966 Mustang GT RestoMod Project: 307c.i.d.,Holly 600 4brrl, TrickFlow Heads, Power Disc Brakes, Integral Power & Tilt Steering, AOD, 9" 3.50 posi rear end & a bunch of other stuff.
Project start date 1999. Completion date... fagidaboudit!
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Borgeson install...
The absolute hardest part is pulling out the old steering box, unless you've got no engine in.
