390 FE Power Steering

Suspension, steering, brakes, wheels & tires

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68rookie
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390 FE Power Steering

Post by 68rookie »

I am not ready to do this just yet but am for sure going to do it in the future. I've just had someone go through my motor and get it all sealed up. Going to retrofit the A/C and get it going as well. Somewhere down the road I want to convert it from manual steering to power steering. Trying to collect info as I can before I do it. I may have already jumped the gun in that I have purchased some used stuff to do the Bendix conversion. I haven't read to many things that are positive about the Bendix gear box. Hard to find parts for? I see where you can buy Bendix boxes from autozone although they are pricier than the Ford/Saginaw boxes. Also have read the Bendix box is not as sturdy and will leak faster? The last thing I want after getting rid of all the leaks on my 390 is to be leaking steering fluid all over the place. Anyway, the more of you that chime in here the better. Any good things to say about the Bendix conversion other than it's easier. Has anyone bought a steering box from a parts store and if so were you happy with it? Want to do this the best way because I don't want to be doing it later down the road. Is the Saginaw route pretty complicated, it obviously is more involved than the Bendix based on the literature I've read on this site. Post away please :-))
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1968 F-100 Longbed 390/C6
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Re: 390 FE Power Steering

Post by fordman »

the bendix box wil overheat. and when it leaks it leaks out the bottom of the gear onto the ground. so you wont have much of a mess but you will have to put fluid in it all the time if it leaks. a cooler can be put onto the pump and hoses to help keep the bendix box cooler . i have a bendix box on my 68. it was rebuilt when i first got the truck. and it still leaked until the day i parked it in 2000. i am planning a sagianw swap for it when i get the time to get the truck here and do the work.

when convertign to a saginaw setup. you will need
the correct length steering column
the saginaw box. and the correct pitman arm for your steering linkage.
as well as a power steering pump and brackets and hoses to put it on your engine.
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