Hi everybody. I introduced myself in the newbie section but for those that haven't seen it I'm starting a project on a 55 4DR HT.

The car has power steering but I'd like to convert it to a power rack and pinion style unit in order to free up some room for the planned engine swap.

Has anyone done this?

I plan on calling unisteer tomorrow to see what the measurements for their Tri 5 system are. I've filled out their worksheet with all the measurements for a custom built unit but if somebody has done this with an "off the shelf" unit, I'd really like to hear about it.

 

If you are considering this, I would recomend you think about clipping the front end. This car has a very antiquated suspension. In either case you will need a new column since the steering shaft comes out of the steering sector and runs all the way up to the steering wheel. There is no ragjoint in the column. If you are going to do an engine swap to a 350 or 455, it will be lots easier with a later model clip since you will already have the motor mounts. Otherwise you will be doing lots of fabrication.

 

Thanks for the heads-up on the steering shaft. While studying it the other day I noticed the absence of a rag joint but was unsure if there was a pin or other connection I could undo in order to drop the steering box out without pulling the shaft.

Clipping the front end has occured to me but to be honest it scares the dickens out of me. I'm not sure I have the skills to do that. If someone here has done this or can point me to someone who has I'd like to hear what is involved.

I'm waiting to hear back from unisteer. They wanted to look over all of my measurements and see if they can come up with a custom unit.

 

Doing the clip is probaby not something you want to attempt if you haven't done one. You can do a lot of the work by pulling the front clip (fenders, radiator support, hood) and the engine and transmission. It will take some very precise cutting and fabrication. You can find the clip you are going to use and provide it. I would thing a Nova clip would work. Get one with disk brakes. Of course then you will need a swinging brake pedal so you can mount a dual master cylinder. You kind of see where this is going. Lots of work and money.

 

I think Fatman sells a front clip for this utilizing disc brakes, rack and pinion, different mounts, etc.. but you have to think about this... its still a 4 door 88. So I hope its worth the effort for you

 

Good point. It would be an interesting project but it's just not the direction I'm ready to take yet.

Unisteer seems less than interested in helping me, even though they claim to be able to build custom racks. The only response I got from them was a message on my answering machine that they didn't have anything that would work. I called them back to find out what the limiting factors were and left a message but never heard back.

I called another company, they were much more helpful, but not interested in attempting the project.

I'm currently talking with a guy who has a Delphi box mounted in a '55. According to the pics, it frees quite a bit of room and seems like much less fabrication to get mounted up. So this is the route I'm currently pursuing.

 

I have been told that by a guy close to me that he installed a newer gear box on his 55.