Thread: Ford Rack to Saginaw Pump Question

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Hi Folks,

I hope there's a Ford expert out there who can help me. I'm replacing the MII style steering rack in my '38 Chevy street rod and have a question about pressure requirements of the new rack.

I've heard that older Ford racks operate at lower pressures than GM boxes. The pump I'm using is a rebuilt unit for a '74 Camaro. It should be putting out about 1200 to 1300 lbs of pressure, whereas the older Ford racks like closer to 800 lbs (if these assumptions are out of wack, someone please correct me).

The rack I'm using is a Cardone 22-201F. It's a variable ratio unit originally fitted to:
'78 - '79 Fairmont
'79 Mustang
'74 - '80 Pinto
'75 - '80 Bobcat
'79 Capri

The problem is that I also heard that, at some point, later model Ford racks started being built that can take the GM level pump pressures just fine. I can't find any information out there to corroborate that.

If true, then I need to know if my rack is one of those, or if I still need to do the whole shim deal on the pump bypass valve and substitute a flow control valve to accommodate the rack.

Thanks!

Larry

Larry, how about using your hot rod skills to mount a Ford pump to your motor. When I swapped a 302 Ford into my Mitsubishi pickup, I mounted the Mitsubishi pump and used the proper pulleys to drive it. Worked like stock without any gimmicks involved.

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I think the rack you're probably looking for is the 80s (?) Thunderbird rack. As I recall their rated for higher pressure, but still designed for lower pressure than the standard GM pump puts out. They are close in dimensions to the original Mustang II racks but require offset mounting bushings to get the mounting bolts to line up with the frame holes.

The most common methods for pressure reduction on the Saginaw pumps are restrictors or custom pumps which a lot of guys use with varying degrees of success.

Techs right about mounting a ford pump that's correct for the rack used, but due to the length of the Ford Pumps that might not be a viable option.....but you never know until you give it a shot, of at least a good loot at it.



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GM cars range from 1350-1450 . corvette pumps up to late 70's early 80's are 900-1000 . vega's and the like are 750-850 . the corvette pumps work fine with the thunderbird tack. ford racks run 900 or so .

shims increase pressure , liter or shortened spring decreases pressure. . large hose reduces pressure small hose ( braided line ) increases pressure

Thanks for the replies guys! DOH! In my case, it's one of trying to close the barn door after the cow got out. The rack and pump were already installed, making returns problematic. I was going to address the pressure issue before installing the plumbing.

Tech- that 's a brilliant idea - sorry I didn't think of it earlier. Rest assured I did pop the hoods and investigate the possibility as MikeP suggested. Real estate in the front of the engine bay is very tight and forces me to use the short water pump. The Ford pump might work if I went with the longer water pump, but there's just not enough room in my setup for that. As it is, I have too much invested in custom bracketry to change over now.

Shine - thanks for that pump information. If I have to do something later on down the road I'll be able to make a more informed choice.

The flow reduction valve works fine as I have used them in the past. My specific concern was about by how much to adjust the max pump pressure or if it was necessary at all for my particular rack. So, my question was a more historical/technical one regarding Ford racks in general and mine in particular, because I'm having to go with what I've got.

However, if things go sideways down the road, the Corvette pump and T-Bird rack sounds like the thing to do. Shine - although the pressure issue would be handled with that combination, do you think the flow rate would still have to be reduced with that setup too?

Thanks again guys,
Larry

no. the corvette pump is the closest to ford pump. flow is mute since you are dealing with pressure not flow . using braided lines will increase pressure slightly.
you will know soon enough as the pressure will leak by the seals of the rack.

Shine, I want to thank you for the information on the Corvette and Vega pumps. I was not aware of the lower pressures (although it sure makes a lot of sense in the case of the Corvettes that were still using the control valve/slave cylinder setup).

The information my come in handy for me in the near future.


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