I have a 71B with a 440 and stock exhaust manifolds. It has manual steering that is in real need of a rebuild. I'm am thinking of converting to power and got a few questions.
1. Can you remove the manual steering gear and install a power unit without lifting the motor?
2. For those who have converted FirmFeel or Boregeson unit? I used to get all anal if it wasn't all stock now I am not so sure anymore, rather have something that works good. The rest of the car is all stock.
3. Would my car have come with the Saginaw pump?

Many thanks for any other tips on doing this conversion, lining up my winter projects LOL

You need to lift the motor on the one side. Sorry. Firmfeel does a good job and yes on the Saginaw pump.

I used Firm Feel on my 57 Plymouth. The 1957 power steering is known to be really light and Firm Feel did a great job on it.

Isn't there a difference in steering column length as well?

Yes, the power column is shorter.

So it appears I will need to lift the engine, any ideas on how to do that because the car is all restored and finished.
I was hoping someone would tell me the Borgeson unit would fit as its is a lot smaller than the stock unit.
As far as the steering column, i know its about 3" too long, so the best way is what change out the shaft with a power one and reuce the column?

Would the manual steering gear box out without the need to lift to engine? Another option is just to rebuild that box

If it were me, I think rebuilding the original box would be the way to go. Then you only have to worry about removing and installing the box. It would save the hassle of shortening the column and installing the PS pump and brackets, not to mention the crankshaft pulley to fit the pump.

Coupler also changes. Power steering box stud is smaller diameter so the coupler acomodates to that.

Can anyone confirm whether the engine has to be lifted to remove and reinstall the manual steering gear.
thanks

with stock manifolds, no need to lift the engine.

Thanks that help me trying to decide, altough I'm thinking converting to power, tired of shifting and turning at the same time with standard steering

Yeah, I know what you mean about shifting. I was a 4 speed guy most of my life, but these days I'd rather let the 727 handle it. I never had a problem using manual steering, but I've gotten spoiled having it in my cars today. You have to do what feels right for you. Swapping over to power steering is a bolt and play if you have the right parts.

I swapped my 67' B-body from manual to power steering with the Borgeson box. I have TTI headers and was able to swap with only removing the steering column and battery tray. I never lifted the engine, no sure about a stock power steering box as its bigger.

I also swapped the shaft in my steering column as the length is different It was a pretty quick change, pressed the old shaft out and the new one in.

[quote=PossessedDuster
I also swapped the shaft in my steering column as the length is different It was a pretty quick change, pressed the old shaft out and the new one in. [/quote]

This is what I would prefer to do rather than cut the manual shaft.