Steve,
Seems like a lot of folks could have replied to your question because it is a popular and common upgrade. First the power steering; A complete package of components to convert to power steering is usually advertised in the $1500 range. The mechanical skills required are quite elementary. You will have to get the front end aligned after swapping the parts. Those of us who learned to drive before power steering was in existence, were taught to always keep the vehicle moving when turning the steering wheel. There were two reasons for this: (1) the steering wheel was easier to turn,and (2) it minimized the strain and wear on the steering gear components. Adding power steering will negate the first reason but only faciitates the second.
Power brakes can be added for a few hundred dollars. I have never understood why they bothered putting power brakes on Thunderbirds. The pedal is the same height as the manual brakes and there shouldn't be any appreciable difference in pedal pressure. If manual brakes seem to require excessive pedal pressure, I've found the usual reasons are (1) brake lining material is too hard or the shoes are mounted backwards so the brakes are not self-energizing. The bottom line on the brakes is: If everything is done as originally built, you shouldn't be able to tell the difference between power and manual brakes. I sure can't. The only significant difference I can detect is my shoe snags the stainless steel band on the brake pedal when moving from the accelerator pedal when driving the power brake car.
Tom D.
