Swapping 1950 98 & 88 steering boxes.
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 35
From: Cairns, Australia and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Swapping 1950 98 & 88 steering boxes.
I am looking at the steering of my 1950 88, which has worm and roller steering and thinking the recirculating ball box apparently in 98s from the same year might give a lighter feel, and r.b. Has a reputation for longevity.
Has anyone tried, heard of, or have any thoughts on that swap?
Cheers
Erik
Has anyone tried, heard of, or have any thoughts on that swap?
Cheers
Erik
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 790
From: USA Ohio
As your 1950 88 is a Fisher Body car build, and the 1950 98 is a Fleetwood Body car build, you have to be careful about interchange of parts. Many parts are common, but there are also differences. 1949, 50 and 51 98 are FW body, 1949, 50 88 and 51 88A and B are Fisher body builds.
The power steering from 1952 88 and 98 which in 1952 are all Fisher will directly swap to your '50. These are not like later GM cars, the box and steering shaft are one piece with no rag joint coupling. The 1952 assembly is just about the same layout as your '50, with detail differences. 1953 has a shorter overall length meaning the steering wheel is closer to dash but can also work, and helps if the driver is not skipping any lunches. Finding mounting room for both steering pump and generator is a challenge but can get done.
I sort of missed that the 1950 88 box is worm and sector, I thought they were all recirculating ball. The power steering parts I mention are at a premium in 2016 as those who appreciate these cars grow older, including myself. I have enough PS assemblies for the cars I drive, just barely. You might nose around to find the parts if needed. The needed steering effort even when the cars were new was the reason power assist was developed. It's a fabulous working system.
The power steering from 1952 88 and 98 which in 1952 are all Fisher will directly swap to your '50. These are not like later GM cars, the box and steering shaft are one piece with no rag joint coupling. The 1952 assembly is just about the same layout as your '50, with detail differences. 1953 has a shorter overall length meaning the steering wheel is closer to dash but can also work, and helps if the driver is not skipping any lunches. Finding mounting room for both steering pump and generator is a challenge but can get done.
I sort of missed that the 1950 88 box is worm and sector, I thought they were all recirculating ball. The power steering parts I mention are at a premium in 2016 as those who appreciate these cars grow older, including myself. I have enough PS assemblies for the cars I drive, just barely. You might nose around to find the parts if needed. The needed steering effort even when the cars were new was the reason power assist was developed. It's a fabulous working system.
Last edited by coldwar; Jun 18, 2016 at 09:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 35
From: Cairns, Australia and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Thanks guys, unfortunately the rallies the 88 is destined for don't allow upgrading to power steering, so I thought that if the 98 has a less frictioned system that was still reliable it would be a period-correct swap which would make the steering a bit lighter.
I'm also keen to replace the steering column with a collapsible one to mate to the steering box - I'm not looking for tilt or any of the fanciness; just something that's less likely to spear me!
Cheers
Erik
I'm also keen to replace the steering column with a collapsible one to mate to the steering box - I'm not looking for tilt or any of the fanciness; just something that's less likely to spear me!
Cheers
Erik
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 35
From: Cairns, Australia and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
As your 1950 88 is a Fisher Body car build, and the 1950 98 is a Fleetwood Body car build, you have to be careful about interchange of parts. Many parts are common, but there are also differences. 1949, 50 and 51 98 are FW body, 1949, 50 88 and 51 88A and B are Fisher body builds.
The power steering from 1952 88 and 98 which in 1952 are all Fisher will directly swap to your '50. These are not like later GM cars, the box and steering shaft are one piece with no rag joint coupling. The 1952 assembly is just about the same layout as your '50, with detail differences. 1953 has a shorter overall length meaning the steering wheel is closer to dash but can also work, and helps if the driver is not skipping any lunches. Finding mounting room for both steering pump and generator is a challenge but can get done.
I sort of missed that the 1950 88 box is worm and sector, I thought they were all recirculating ball. The power steering parts I mention are at a premium in 2016 as those who appreciate these cars grow older, including myself. I have enough PS assemblies for the cars I drive, just barely. You might nose around to find the parts if needed. The needed steering effort even when the cars were new was the reason power assist was developed. It's a fabulous working system.
The power steering from 1952 88 and 98 which in 1952 are all Fisher will directly swap to your '50. These are not like later GM cars, the box and steering shaft are one piece with no rag joint coupling. The 1952 assembly is just about the same layout as your '50, with detail differences. 1953 has a shorter overall length meaning the steering wheel is closer to dash but can also work, and helps if the driver is not skipping any lunches. Finding mounting room for both steering pump and generator is a challenge but can get done.
I sort of missed that the 1950 88 box is worm and sector, I thought they were all recirculating ball. The power steering parts I mention are at a premium in 2016 as those who appreciate these cars grow older, including myself. I have enough PS assemblies for the cars I drive, just barely. You might nose around to find the parts if needed. The needed steering effort even when the cars were new was the reason power assist was developed. It's a fabulous working system.
Thanks for writing it back then.
Cheers
Erik
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