My Power Steering Install

[Chucky]

Hey Buga Crew!

I'm almost done installing power steering to my 78CF SWB with a 350 L98 chevy and I though that you would be interested in how I did it.

I had read almost all the power steering conversions I could find and most said use the P76 rack, or VF Transit rack.  I tried the latter but with the SBC in situ the space was WAY too tight, so tight in fact that I had to remove the tow point, and even after massaging the oil pan, it still did not fit.  I think we can take from this that the transit rack is good for a straight 6 beddy, or a holden V8 beddy, but not a SBC equipped beast ;-)

I checked my alternatives, scoured the wrecking yards and found that a VE Commodore rack is damn near perfect, compared to the transit for the following reasons:

1) Input shaft is already a cotter pin type and will fit the bedford yoke once you open the yoke up a smidge with a drill. The transit one is a splined shaft and requires you to purchase a second UJ.
2) Input shaft is much closer to the length/angle of the original so I only had to shorten the intermediate shaft a few inches. The transit one is about 5-6" longer than stock.
3) Tie rod pivot points sit on the diagonal line between the upper and lower control arm pivot so no bump steer, the transit is a touch too long.
4) Centre to Centre mounting holes are EXACTLY the same as the bedford, transit is nowhere near the same,
5) All hoses clear without modification, while the transit one need the upper directional hoses to be relocated to clear the harmonic balancer.
6) Replace Tie rods with "Eunos" rods off the shelf for a perfect fit to bedford specs, then another off the shelf tie rod end can be used (part# TBC), NO modifications so minimal cost. The Transit rack require the tie rods to be machined down and rethreaded.
7) Finally, the passenger side bracket is just a flat piece of 10mm steel, the Drive side bracket is two flat pieces of 10mm steel welded together......done! MUCH easier than a transit bracket.
They are bloody everywhere, so cheap as chips! mine cost $35.

Because space is limited for me, I will be running a Holden TS Astra electric power steering pump, mounted on the passenger side firewall (I have no heater box, because I have electric heaters in the cab) with two 1350mm hoses.  I will post pictures soon, to clarify what i have mentioned here but to date the whole thing is coming in at around $350 installed DIY.

Regards,
Chucky.

[Noid]

Sounds like a sensible conversion, look forward to seeing pics.  Hey I need to update my heater so was wondering  what heaters did you use???

Cheers
Noid

[phill]

Thanks for the info Chucky, i just got myself a transit rack last week but it sounds like the ve one is nearly built for a beddy nice work finding it, more food for thought

[Zeeman]

Great info Chucky, thanks for the post. I had a Transit rack I was planning to use, but may have to reconsider! Cheers!

[Sammy]

yeah all good food for though, i eagerly await pics, i haven't finished my steering yet!

[ben]

now i think of it someone else i was talking to said the ve rack was a really good option. sounds cool:)

[wendyh]

Hey chucky looking forward to some pics of your sweet ride? 😎
The only rule on here is you have to post heaps of pictures,  all the bugas love em 😉 hahahah

Hi Ben it was really  nice to meet you and your new  family in Vic at Easter..another beddy fan in the making ehehe
Also  great to see you back online!😊

[VanWolf]

I've gone down the same path as a steering guy said the VE had better turning.
Fitting was easy, yet to test as haven't wired up the engine yet.

[johng]

g day
im thinking of using the ve rack as well i have a transit 1 already havent made up its  brackets yet
im running the LS1 its not fully wired up yet either
did some 1 make up your ve brackets & would they sell a set or could i get some measurements
cheers john

[Chucky]

Photos will be up this weekend, just waiting on a more powerful alternator for my astra pump.

sorry for the delay, but it is all in and working.  Install was pretty simple, ended up using Eunos tie rods, and Rodeo Tie rod ends, so no custom modification required to the rack just off the shelf parts.