steering box

[3 79cougars 1 77 t-bird]

how can you tell if you have the saginaw box?

[Gearworks]

trust me. its the only box they came with. The difference between the GM sag box and the FORD sag box lies in both the mounting pads, AND the diameter of the steering shaft coupler. Get a 85 IROC or WS6 Trans Am steering box and the guts will interchange. leaving you with a ford appearing 1 3/4 turn high ratio box!

[Gearworks]

hehehe and another thing. use the older style HUGE can power steering pump. its a higher pressure pump than that GM designed saginaw flat plastic well pump

[3 79cougars 1 77 t-bird]

both of my cougars have different boxes.. I think this is where I am getting confused... :eek:

[marine165]

Gearworks,
I'm afraid that our cars did *not* all come with saginaw boxes... most in fact came with the cheapo knock off ford boxes... the difference between the two boxes are marked, not the least of which being that the ford box is split down the center rather than around the top, so there is no good way to set clearance on the ford box...
The boxes are different, especially from the outside. Simply put, the ford box has a ford oval cast in the top of it, wheras the saginaw doesn't (I think there's an 's' on it, but I'm not certain). As for the internals, judging from how different the adjustments are on the two boxes, I can't imagine that they'd have the same guts, but I've been wrong in the past...
Now, what are you saying about the older ford steering pump? Do the fittings interchange? What cars could you find that steering pump on?

Mike

[Gearworks]

I totally forgot about those oddball ford boxes! sorry about that! its just that the last 5 ive had all had the sag box, it is identifyable by a 4 bolt plate that faces straight up with the adjustment screw in it. THATS the unit that is interchangeable (Internal wise) with the GM box. The pump im referring to was used on NON HYDROBOOST lincolns and tbirds mid to late 70's and SOME trucks 400M and up. It measures roughly 8 inches deep, 7 or 8 inches in diameter with a brazed on dipstick tube sticking out the back. (it resembles the tranz dipstick) i have found that this pump will produce more power (Pressure wise) than the other pumps. As it was used to steer those land yachts effiently with little effort. it works VERY well on my 79. But be forwarned, take BRACKETS AND ALL when you find one. and as far as the fittings go the pressure line from the donor tbird or lincoln will works on our birds. and the return line isn't even an issue, its a hose clamp!

[marine165]

Last five, really? You've been lucky; from what I can tell at the junkyard and just seeing these cars in general, the ford box is considerably more common. You don't happen to have a spare Saginaw laying around that you could part with, do you? :)
And I'm really interested about the non-hydraboost pump. I've always considered the steering pump on my car a weak link; it'll run out of oomph if you try to do something too spirited even with the pokey 17.5 ratio stock box... We had a 1979 bronco back in the day, and it was dangerous about spinning because of the short wheelbase and weak steering pump... I'll have to find one of those pumps off a lincoln... what do you think, maybe off of a Mark V? Or did they come with all 460's? Would the bracket be the same as for a 351W? If not, I guess I'll have to look for a one-generation-previous T-bird. Might it be found on other full-size LTD-based cars, too? Like sedans and wagons and Grand Marquis and things like that? I'll have to try and find one... thanks for the tip!

Mike

[marine165]

Gearworks, is this the pump you're talking about?


'that the animal?

Mike

[Gearworks]

hahaha nice pics! yea thats the animal right there! i got one on my bird and love it! a little trick with these pumps is to put a ballcock valve inline BETWEEN the pressure and RETURN lines. if it is TOO much of the "Whoosh mush" feel you can swing the valve to bleed off a little pressure! But thats the animal! but as far as the bracket assembly goes they are engine family specific. 400M's will work on the cleveland, 302's will work on the 351W (if youre lucky enough to find one) and the 460's bolt up is WAY different! They were (in my experience) in just about ALL the full size fords..

good luck!

if i remember i'll snap a shot of the 400m bracket and my 460 setup. let me know and i'll email them to you so you know what youre looking for!

[ 03-13-2003: Message edited by: Gearworks ]

[marine165]

Cool deal. I happened to find one of these on a 302 that was already out of a car in the junkyard the other day. I think I'll grab it next time I swing by. Good suggestion with the ball valve! I like it. :)
And go ahead and send me those pics. I can use them on my website.

Mike

[Gearworks]

mike, did you get those pics? anyway at the risk of sounding like a dumbass, how did you get that picture into the post?

[marine165]

Paul,

Yeah, I just got your pics. Nice ride!! Sometime you'll have to tell me what you did to make those interior door panels. I can't wait to see a full exterior picture of your car!

Mike

[Gearworks]

im waiting to get her back on the ground so i can take pics of the whole thing WITHOUT all the crap stacked on it and all the parts in the floor! heheheheheh. you still didnt tell me how to put pics in these posts! :D

[3 79cougars 1 77 t-bird]

I'd like to see your t-bird Gearworks. My email addy is [email protected] Thanks

[Gearworks]

i tried to send the pics but they were returned. what gives?