1958 Ford Thunderbird

[Guest Eugenio gonzalez]

I have a 1958 Ford Thunderbird. It does not have the original engine. It has a 1988 Econoline 302 with all the accessories that came in the van. I replaced both power steering hoses pressure and return. The power steering works, the steering is soft but the problem is that the pressure hose is blowing. This is the second one I have replaced. It seems like if it has excessive pressure in the system. The steering components are all original, except the power steering pump that came out of the 1988 Econoline and the hoses that have been replaced. Could anyone give me an idea, if by any means, this pump is the cause of the problem or if there is any type of pressure relief valve that is in the pump or if by any means the size of the pulley could make a difference in the rpms the pump is turning versus the original one, creating more pressure than what it should have. If anyone can give me advice on what I should look for, I would very much appreciate it.

 

Thanks

 

Gene

[tom_in_nh]

Hello and welcome.

I am going to assume that your 1958 Thunderbird comes with factory power steering? If so, you will have to get rid of the control valve located on the steering arm (driver's side outer tie rod is adjacent to the control valve). This will possibly entail finding an original non power steering setup and using that instead.

Good luck.

Tom

Easiest and least costly way is to find an original pump and make it fit to the modern engine, still assuming that you have an original '58 power steering setup. Or gut it all out and use a modern steering and suspension setup. In that case, visit the HAMB forum.

 

Edited August 5, 2017 by tom_in_nh
more advice, still worth peanuts... (see edit history)