Power steering conversion

[Lakeland66]

Hi all,
Anyone know where I can buy a complete power steering conversion kit for my 57 Fairlane 500?
Many Thanks in advance for any help.

[RICH MUISE]

Years ago I decided to go with a rack and pinion kit offered by one of our members. I can get you his contact info if wanted. Back then it was pretty much the only option we had to get a quicker ratio power steering. I love it, but most guys nowadays go with the unit offered by Borgenson. It's a steering box setup with a quicker ratio than stock (what isn't, lol). The advantage of the Borgenson setup over R & P, is you do not lose turning radius. Borgenson is probably in our suppliers listings.

[abe_lugo]

You have to get crafty if you have column shifting and go with any conversion other than stock.  I think the R&P kit was wirthit. But I don't think it's around anymore.
I also see some people complaining about the borgeson set up.

[RICH MUISE]

Wirthit was the original source for the Rack kit. He ended up having many issues due to health/ injuries to his wife if I remember correctly,and unfortunately ended up making promises he couldn't keep. It was redesigned and available from John Starks (aka Sparky), a member here, and his brother-in-law Tom Drummond aka Wildhog here. His kit was better built and more affordable than wirthit's. Basically a bolt-in except for mods needed to the end of the steering column adding a u-joint. I don't know if Sparky is still making them, but I have his phone number so I can find out. He is/was in Rocton, Illinois.

[lalessi1]

I bought a Borgeson conversion kit for my car. Very pleased with the results. As mentioned, the steering column must be shortened but I have a floor shifter.

[59meteor]

Anybody ever try the Borgenson PS box with factory mechanical clutch linkage, and a FE with FPA headers?

[lalessi1]

When I bought my FPA headers I was under the impression that they would not fit manual trans cars with mechanical linkage, so I converted to a hydraulic set up (much cleaner but a PITA to get set up). I actually modified the headers moving the lower collector about 1" higher so I can't really tell if the Borgeson set up would work or not but I am inclined to say no.

[59meteor]

When I bought my FPA headers I was under the impression that they would not fit manual trans cars with mechanical linkage, so I converted to a hydraulic set up (much cleaner but a PITA to get set up). I actually modified the headers moving the lower collector about 1" higher so I can't really tell if the Borgeson set up would work or not but I am inclined to say no.

Lynn, I have the FPA headers on my 59, and I am using the factory mechanical clutch linkage. It did require some minor modifying of the clutch linkage, but was very simple and easy to do. I had to trim a corner of the engine side Z bar pivot bracket, and relocate the lower lever of the Z bar inward 1", both for header clearance.

[Ray Summitt]

Another source is Unisteer rack and pinion.
They make two different kits for 57/58/59 fords.
My Fairlane had an fe and a t10 in it when I bought it.
It also already had the Unisteer kit installed.