1949 Fleetwood Power Steering

[n2caddies]

I need some advice on a project. I have a 1949 Fleetwwod that is a duplicate car of what my 78 year old mother drove to high school. Yea I know things were tough in the old days! Anyway she really wants to drive this car but she can't turn the wheel as the car is too heavy and there is no power assist. Her other car is a vette.  Is there a civilized way to put a power steering set up on this car without messing up the front end and not take away too much of its originality as it is otherwise a nice clean car. Thanks,
Randy

[jyinger]

Yes.

We used most of the PS components from a '53 Cadillac, adapting them to the '49---the drag linage, for instance---with minor modifications.  We used the lower half of the steering column with the PS gear box from the '53 and welded it to the upper half of the steering column from the '49.

We were amazed at how great the new OS set-up works.  Just like is was made for our car.

You can see the steps in the process on my website   yingercars@shutterfly.com  click on "Lily"

Let me know if this helps.

Good luck!!

Jon Yinger

CLC# 26643

[TonyZappone #2624]

As I understand, member Steve Cooley in Florida does this on a regular basis on '40s Cadillacs.  Good guy, good reputation in business.

[n2caddies]

Thanks for the info. Ill start doing my homework!
Randy

[n2caddies]

I have not been able to find a locally available 53 parts donor but did find a 55 and 57 does anyone know if these would work in place of the 53?
Thanks
Randy