66 power steering vs rack & pinion?

[67bluegt]

My 66 convertible's stock power steering is getting old and leaking fluid from the control valve. I think these are expensive $$$ to rebuild plus new hoses, slave cylinder and rebuild the pump is even more bucks. I'm considering a rack & pinion conversion and dump all the old gear. Has anyone installed one of the Flaming River systems in a 66. Wondering how it drives, I know it's not as easy to turn the wheel at a stand still.

 

[70vert]

do a search, TCP thread just below

67blue,
There's a lot of information already on the forum, I might check that TCP thread just below or do a search. It kind of seems like the best are Randall's, TCP, and maybe RRS-online's Australian rack for power. Don't know about Flaming River's quality but I do know some have found it a pain in the butt to turn.

 

[stanger53]

It won't cost you that much to have your old system rebuilt unless the major components are damaged or ruined. You can get the steering box, control valve, power cylinder and pump all rebuilt for under $400. Even if you buy all new hoses and tie rods it will only cost about a half to a third of what a R&P runs.
Of course, a factory system will never be as perfect and positive as an R&P system, but it can be very effective for a lot less money. If you do decide to go R&P, stay away from the Flaming River unit. Many people on other boards had a lot of trouble trying to mount them up and ended up returning them for refund.

 

[67bluegt]

Thanks, I think it will be better to get my P/S system back into running order. Who can rebuild control valves? Mustang UnLimited charges $420. That seems real high considering there is a new aftermarket valve out for about $430. I don't know if it is any good. I think I will avoid rebuilding a valve myself.

 

[bnickel]

by the time you rebuild the control valve, ram cylinder and steering gear box, buying new tie-rods and idler arm you are almost in rack and pinion territory. if you want the feel and precision of a modern rack and the ease of maintenace and less chance of leaks check out www.randallsrack.com he'll sell you a new rack kit that will out perform the old system hands down for only a couple hundred bucks more than what it would cost to rebuild the old system, especially on a 65-66 PS car. if you factor the 430 for the control valve and and about the same price for a new flaming river gear box you are right there price wise already. give him a call or at least check the web page before you decide. if you are going for originality obviously the syock system is the way to go, however.

 

[67bluegt]

I don't really care about staying stock. Car started life with a six banger and C4, but now has a 5.0 an T5. So I prefer upgrades if it makes it a more dependable ride I"ll check out the website. I plan to tackle this as soon as the weather is to cold to ride. Meantime I'll just keep filling up the steering pump. I searched the forum and found it's about equal for folks who like aftermarket racks and those who don't.

 

[concreteman]

Bnickels right on what a good setup randalls is. I am getting ready to finally install it in my 69 and I checked out all the measurements when I first got it, just held off doing the actual install because I wanted to get my engine bay cleaned, painted etc. It even uses the stock column and gives good instructions on removal, cutting to size and reinstalling. I'm just waiting for my front disk brake kit to arrive and I will get everything in at once.