screw the power steering... what now?

[Boss 351]

I heard about the manual flamming rack or whatever... but isn't there a junk yard solution? How long can the stock rack handle driving with no pump?

 

[04sleeper]

I bought a manual rack from Discount Auto Parts/ Advanced Auto Parts for $114.00. It is for the 79-81 Mustang. Along with new tie rod ends $18.00 each. I did have to buy the adapter flange from Flaming River though because Ford says they don't make it any more. It was $72.00 . Oh well it works great and have had it on my car for 2 1/2 years now. Just ran a shorter belt.

 

[85GTlover]

How much difference is the eliminating the pump going to make?.....is it really that much? would think it would be nice to have power steering and do other mods unless it is a huge difference. Anyone know?

 

[jadedinpa]

How much difference is the eliminating the pump going to make?.....is it really that much? would think it would be nice to have power steering and do other mods unless it is a huge difference. Anyone know?

the power steering pump doesn't take that much power. unless you are going all-out drag, keep the power steering. you'll regret taking it off.... i did.

 

[T_5.0_N'works]

I would def. keep the power steering, you will regret it. I just run a short belt when I go to the track and went from a 13.9 to a 13.4 with no P/S, from 14* - 16* timming, and a 180 degree thermo, picked up 3-4 mph also.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Power steering sucks up maybe 12 hp. But the system weighs 30+ pounds more than a manual setup. I couldnt deal with having the parasitic loss and extra weight, and I like the manual steering. (But my car only weighs 2400 pounds)

 

[shorty1993]

does anyone know what length the belt is for: no smog pump and to bypass the power sterring. if it makes that kind of difference i will bypass it for the track. thanks

 

[T_5.0_N'works]

 

[shorty1993]

thanks man, does bypassing that really change times that much, seems a little steep, would be nice

 

[T_5.0_N'works]

Well that's what I ran so... I got the slips for proof.

 

[notchback501993]

I took off the pum and used pipe pluges to plug the rack and have been driving my stang like that for three years. I don't drive mine every day and don't mind the extra muscle it takes to steer it at low speeds. Once above 10MPH I barely notice the diff. Parking can be a prob. I only run the alt and the water pump. You can grind off the little tab at the back of the tensioner and use a short belt.

 

[shorty1993]

i wasnt doubting you, just wondered if that was normal or just good fortune. i do not want to get rid of my power steering, but would be more than willing to spend 10 minutes changing a belt out. does it not have any adverse affect on the rack or anything without the assistance?

 

[HISSIN50]

Once above 10MPH I barely notice the diff.QUOTE]

i nominate that for quote of the week.

shorty, i dont have personal experience, but have read from more than a few folks that their rack seemed fine running everyday (some for more than a year) with no pump....so i guess i would perhaps be prepared for it to fail, but hopefully it would be ok. just my two cents worth...

 

[admstng]

I don't know the exact problem with your power steering.. but make sure there is fluid circualting... my powerstering pump pulley froze up and my belt snapped....

 

[Fastime331]

the power steering pump doesn't take that much power. unless you are going all-out drag, keep the power steering. you'll regret taking it off.... i did.

exactly, I went through it too. I had the top of the line flaming river set-up that they claimed was great for street driven cars. BULL f-kin $hit, what a pain in the arse. So I got a brand new 15:1 AGR rack and a new stock pump and I love my car again!!!!!

Also, I could not perseive a difference in accel. Maybe at the track I'll lose 1 mph. so what! Besides I have pullys, no smog pump and a Meziere electric water pump

I think they make up for it.

 

[Boss 351]

Thanks for the info... I drove around in a "power-arm" steering car that was much heavier (69 Cougar with 351W) and it wasn't that bad.

The main reason is that I was stupid and used a 302 from a truck to do my swap. The truck brackets are far from being the same and are ugly as hell, also I think the truck pump will kill the rack lol. I want to get a Mustang pump and use Mach Performance bracket system which will look awsome. But in the mean time I will drive around with no power steering. I got a spare V8 rack that I will install once I get all the parts. Right now I just want the car on the road ASAP

 

[jadedinpa]

the truck pump won't hurt the rack. you are better off with a bigger pump, if you go with a smaller (like a 4cyl stang pump) you can have problems with not enough flow (and the steering will get heavy for a second, not a good thing in an emergency situation, which is exactly when it will happen )so just stick with the bigger pump or get one from a grand marquis (if it fits, i'm not 100% sure)

 

[shorty1993]

shorty, i dont have personal experience, but have read from more than a few folks that their rack seemed fine running everyday (some for more than a year) with no pump....so i guess i would perhaps be prepared for it to fail, but hopefully it would be ok. just my two cents worth...[/QUOTE]


thanks, i have a friend who lives just a few miles from the track, so i would probably just pull a belt swap there. that really should not allow much opportunity for the rack to incur any damage.

 

[jadedinpa]

i had an escort power steering pump go bad and i drove it for like 6 months with no power steering. it didn't damage anything, we put a new pump on it (eventually hee hee) and it was fine.

 

[needforspeed440]

I drovbe mine for a few months without the pump. I did get a new manual rack from autozone bout 100$ then had to get new tie rod ends. Easy job i havve no ac pump either, i bought mrach eliminator kits to do the delt but well worthh it.