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A Flathead with Power Steering
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   Forward Look Technical Discussions -> Steering and SuspensionMessage format
 
toddst
Posted 2010-07-16 9:48 PM (#232986)
Subject: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Some Island called Prince Edward

Someone mentioned on another thread that very few flathead equipped FL cars came with power steering. My 58 Regent has this combo and someone asked for some photos of the setup. Here they are. You can see the pump is mounted down low.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It really works well. The car is a joy to drive. I don't feel any real loss in power. Keep in mind this is a 251 C.I Flathead so perhaps power steering was a little more feasible with the bigger 6.

 

Todd

 

 

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Finsinthemirror
Posted 2010-07-17 2:11 AM (#233005 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: CA		That's interesting.. mine is mounted on the back of the generator.
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toddst
Posted 2010-07-17 10:12 AM (#233032 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Some Island called Prince Edward		Really? Can you post a pic?
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Finsinthemirror
Posted 2010-07-20 2:04 AM (#233374 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: CA		I posted one in the Plaza thread.
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toddst
Posted 2010-07-20 6:24 AM (#233380 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Some Island called Prince Edward		I wonder why they'd go through all the trouble of having two systems between the U.S and Canadian cars. Could have something to do with the fact the Canadian cars had the 251" Flathead.
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57plymouth
Posted 2010-07-20 7:39 AM (#233388 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Blythewood, SC		Talk about wild! I bet if you had to find any of those brackets or pulleys you would search for years.

Very cool, thanks for posting those. I've never seen power steering on a Flattie. I've seen a few A/C retrofits, but they were poorly engineered.
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Finsinthemirror
Posted 2010-07-20 2:31 PM (#233435 - in reply to #233388)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: CA		well I'm not sure if they "had" two systems. My car is a 57 and yours is a 58 right?
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1960DesotoAdventurer
Posted 2010-07-22 3:01 PM (#233752 - in reply to #233388)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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57plymouth - 2010-07-20 7:39 AM

Talk about wild! I bet if you had to find any of those brackets or pulleys you would search for years.

Very cool, thanks for posting those. I've never seen power steering on a Flattie. I've seen a few A/C retrofits, but they were poorly engineered.



Brian,
Were there any factory a/c flat six cars or was the engine deemed to underpowered for air?

Edited by 1960DesotoAdventurer 2010-07-22 3:03 PM
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toddst
Posted 2010-07-20 4:09 PM (#233451 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Some Island called Prince Edward		Yes, mine is a 58.
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Finsinthemirror
Posted 2010-07-20 4:39 PM (#233457 - in reply to #233451)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: CA		Yeah I thought so, that pump is definitely a 58-newer style pump.
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toddst
Posted 2010-07-20 9:32 PM (#233503 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Some Island called Prince Edward		For some reason I thought your car was a 58 too. Has anyone seen a U.S built 58 Plymouth or Dodge with a flathead and power steering? If so, do you remember the pump setup?
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Finsinthemirror
Posted 2010-07-20 10:21 PM (#233510 - in reply to #233503)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: CA		I'd love to see the rest of your car!
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toddst
Posted 2010-07-22 4:37 PM (#233759 - in reply to #233510)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Some Island called Prince Edward		Theres a pic of my Regent posted on the "300C Convertible spotted at local cruise night" thread.

Todd
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57plymouth
Posted 2010-07-23 11:36 AM (#233869 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Blythewood, SC		There were no original A/C Flatties that I am aware of. There was not enough power to turn the big old style compressor. The conversion I saw was modern using a Sanden style compressor. The mounting put the compressor directly above the generator on a home made bracket that held both to the block. The addition of a fourth pulley in my opinion reduced the total area of contact for the belt. The generator was lower, thus making four components in a square instead of a triangle. Thus only 90 degrees of each pulley had belt contact. I don't feel that is enough for adequate belt traction without an incredible amount of belt tension, thus leading to decreased bearing life.

Still, with a modern compressor, a stock 230 makes about 100 horsepower. I think it would be pretty well taxed to push the compressor and lug a full sized car. Especially with a PowerFlite behind it.
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1960DesotoAdventurer
Posted 2010-07-23 4:05 PM (#233911 - in reply to #233869)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Plymouth Spaceport		Thanks Brian,
I couldnt imagine someone ordering a/c with the flathead either,but figured I'd ask if were an option.
I know there was an a/c option on some VW bugs which I thought was pushing it too.

I think that power steering is pretty cool,I have never seen a six with it before,now I know theres at least two.

I was reading my service manual again last night after doing an oil change on my Belvedere and saw they recommended changing the oil on the flat six at 2-3000 miles,yet the V8 was suggested at 5,000 miles.

Was this simply because some flat sixes didnt have an oil filter,or do all flat sixes need more frequent oil changes?

Edited by 1960DesotoAdventurer 2010-07-23 4:07 PM
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57plymouth
Posted 2010-07-24 3:47 PM (#234046 - in reply to #232986)
Subject: Re: A Flathead with Power Steering



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Location: Blythewood, SC		The oiling system isn't great on a Flattie. I change mine every 5K and I use synthetic. Don't worry so much...
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