I recently replaced the king pins in my 64 F-100. Even before I did this my steering was very hard to turn, but now, it is almost impossible. What is the best way to get power steering for this truck, or does anyone know what is the cause of my steering to be so tight. I've driven other non power steering vehicles and they are much easier to turn than mine.

 

Lets first analyze how you installed the pins and such.
Take a look at this drawing done by Vodoosurfer. Did you install everything like this?
http://members.***.net/voodoo73/66_F250/kingpin.jpg

Let us know and we can help. Your truck should turn very easily with the wheels barely turning.

 

I thought of something else too. Did you have the bushings reamed or did you have them pressed in? If you didn't ream the bushings, that's your problem. The replacement bushings have to be reamed so the spindle will have clearaned to rotate.

There is no 'power steering' for our trucks ut there is a power assist which consists of a hydraulic ram attachet the the front axle. Very expensive.

 

i "had" power steering on my '64........no power steering???

 

I DID NOT HAVE THE BUSHINGS REAMED. DO I BUY A TOOL TO DO THIS OR TAKE IT TO SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR ME? HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH TO REAM?

 

Ream the bushings until you can pound the King pins in with your hand. They should be snug but not require great pressure to push in. I like nylon bushings, don't require reaming and last tens of thousands of miles.

 

Really? We would love to see some pics. As far as the shop manual and all of the literature I have goes, Ford did not offer 'power steering' in 61-64 trucks. There were dealer installed power assist units that were patterned after the larger trucks that consisted of a hydraulic ram attached to the front axle and used a pump similar to a power steering pump. 65 was the first year to offer a gearbox setup for power steering.

 

i wish i could get pics...i might be able to soon..but for now ill describe...it has two lines coming from the steering.a belt on it, i filled it with power steering..it looks similar to my power steering on my bronco and it went out so i called autozone and they said it was $56.99 for a '64 power steering unit with the resevoir..its sitting on my garage floor somewhere so when i can get to it ill post pics.oh and the guy i bought the truck from said it was a rare thing that it had power steering...maybe its from a '65..but i called autozone and said specificly '64 they said yes..

 

In 65 Ford used the Twin I-Beam suspension system. This system uses coil springs in the front. Prior to 65 the front springs were leaf and single axle setup. The other hard part about this system is that the steering column and the steering gear are all one item, (no rag joint). Leaf springs were used on 4x4 trucks after 65. It is possible that you have a 65 that is registered as a 64? Or someone moved the body/frame around so you have a twin I beam setup under an older truck? Also possible that someone converted a 64 to Toyota PS? Not sure about this but if you have a 64 F100 with power steering, (other than the assist system), it would be interesting to see. I saw a 64 F 100 with 79 frame, 65 cab and a front clip from a 64. The clip was the only 64 parts on this truck. It was titled as a 64. Also 460 with a C6 and a MIGHTY FORD it was.

 

Hi all! I'm new to this site but not new to early 60's Ford trucks. For those who are interested Classic Performance offers a power assist setup that looks just like the factory setup for 64 and earlier trucks. It comes complete with everything except the power steering pump.

 

Regarding the P/S conversion kit from Classic Performance:

I've corresponded with a sales rep from this company about the conversion kit. It does sound as if all that is needed is the kit and a P/S pump. (Let me know if anyone wants the email trail) I have a 292 (or possibly a 312, if the guy we purchased it from is correct) - anyone know how to find a pump and bracket that will bolt on my engine? I'm guessing I need to look for a T-bird or Ford car (w/ Y-block) pump and rebuild it? Anyone know about availability of new pumps?

Anyone see any problems with this conversion?

Thanks.

daveo64
'64 F-100 SWB

 

Hi! I know MAC's carries the pumps but you would still need the correct bracketry from a y-block. Good luck finding one, tho. I have access to a classic car parts yard and looked at must have been over 50 cars and couldn't find one with the power steering pump still on it.( that and the auto trans linkages). BTW, what did classic performance say about the original pump pressure with their system? I'd rather not use their regulator if I can get away with it.

 

That's good news that Mac's has a pump - no chance that they have a y-block bracket for it also? I have a catalog on order from them. I think I will also need a new pulley - I don't even know if the pump is supposed to be driven off the crank pulley or water pump/fan pulley. If I had some pictures of a similar setup I could probably figure out a bracket and have a local fab shop make it for me. Although after looking at my engine I wasn't sure how a pump bracket would mount to it.

I don't know about the pressure regulator. A Randy Moore from CPP said that all I need is their kit (part #5764PSK) and a pump from a Y-block.

 

hello , i recently contacted bob's f-100 in california and they sold me the brackets to install a toyota box on my 64. hope this helps.

 

Thanks, that sounds like it may be a good solution. What pump did you end up using - do you have a 292 in your 64? I have not had much success in locating a pump. Mac's carries them, but they appear to be on an exchange basis and don't come with the reservoir or pulley.