Can my column be converted?

[mjhaltom]

Tell me if I'm wrong, but my existing 3 speed column would work with a new smooth collar and a bendix PS box? What about the rods/linkage inside the column? Would that get in the way or is it removable?

I am trying to get PS on my 390 truck with a floor shifter. It was a 240 with a 3 speed on the column before.

[fordman]

you don't need to change anything about the column if you are going to put in a floor shifter. for putting in a bendix power steering box the only thing i think you really have to change is the firewall bracket because of the angle of the steering box.

[studdmstr]

This article was pretty invaluable for my conversion. I highly recommend you read it befor buying and installing powersteering. http://www.fordification.com/powersteering.htm

For putting in a bendix power steering box the only thing i think you really have to change is the firewall bracket because of the angle of the steering box.

That's not correct. You will only need to change the firewall bracket if you were using the Saginaw PS box. The manual and Bendix PS brackets are the same.

Your existing 3 speed column will work with the Bendix PS box. I don't know anything aobut the smooth collar, on mine I just removed the shifter arm and left the existing collar. The rods/linkage inside the column can be left where they are at and won't interfere with anything

I just finished my conversion from the manual box to Bendix PS box this weekend if you have any questions.

[fordman]

the experience i had when i just changed out my shaft on my column was that i had to use a manual bracket for it to work properly with my automatic ps bendix box. the angle some how changed on me. i'm really not sure why. i just changed the center steering shaft only i reused the same column.

[studdmstr]

the experience i had when i just changed out my shaft on my column was that i had to use a manual bracket for it to work properly with my automatic ps bendix box. the angle some how changed on me. i'm really not sure why. i just changed the center steering shaft only i reused the same column.

Right we're saying the same thing now. The manual bracket and bendix bracket are the same. The one that is diferent is the saginaw PS box. Because mjhaltom already has the manual bracket he won't have to change that when installing the Bendix box.

[fordman]

ok i read this wrong. i messed up.

[studdmstr]

Sorry if it seemed like I was being argumentative, I just didn't wanted mjhaltom start gathering parts that he didn't need. That's weird that by changing your steering shaft you had to change the steering column bracket as well. Was the new shaft longer than the one you replaced?

[mjhaltom]

Just to let you guys know, I scored a saginaw box and column from a 1972 F250. I just need now to find out how to eliminate the shifter and indicator so that it looks right for my floor shift application.

[fordman]

no studd i didn't have a problem.
mj i think if you just replace the shift collar only you wouldn't have to mess with the bottom of the collumn. all you would need is a plain jane shift collar with no shifter hole.