Here are the key components needed for Merc power steering conversion. You supply
your own Isuzu steering box, and Jamco supplies the template, crush sleeves, hardware,
bracket, frame notch-filler pieces, and necessary instructions. With the purchase of the
kit, Jamco will also modify the Isuzu Pitman arm (as seen in the upper left here) to work
with the Merc centerlink.
This is the stock, very manual Mercury steering box. Note that Randy removed the
engine for an easier installation. With the car on jackstands, the All Ways crew pulled the
steering wheel, disconnected the column wiring, and unbolted the original column and
steering box before sliding the whole unit out of the car.
The Jamco template was placed on the inside of the frame and bolted to the stock steering
box location. Easy. Then Randy used a 7/16-inch bit to drill out the forward holes
through the template and the inner framerail only. The rearmost stock steering box bolt
hole was enlarged using the same bit and a rotary file in a die grinder.
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1951 Mercury Power Steering Conversion Install - Power Trip
A New Power Steering Conversion for Vintage Mercs
By Jimmy Smith
Photography: Mike Way
Custom Rodder Magazine, January 2007
The folks at Jamco Suspension have been doing their part to create new components for
these cars, as well as similar-era Fords. Recently, the company got help from Randy Way
at All Ways Hot Rods in Phoenix in developing a new power steering conversion to use
in conjunction with the original Mercury suspension. Randy and his crew happened to be
doing the R&D work on a customer's Merc, so I stopped down to document the process
for the benefit of Custom Rodder readers. The conversion employs a strong power
steering box from an Isuzu Rodeo. It's the same box found on many other Isuzu trucks
and SUVs, and its small size leaves plenty of room for various engine swaps and exhaust
routing using stock manifolds or headers. You supply the steering box-either from your
local parts house, GM dealer, or salvage yard-and Jamco supplies the necessary
brackets, instructions, and hardware. You send your Isuzu Pitman arm to Jamco so it can
be modified to fit the Merc centerlink.
While the kit was designed for installation with or without the engine in place, the guys at
All Ways recommend an empty engine bay to make things easier. One of the kit's many
benefits is the ability to use the stock steering column location. No new holes need to be
drilled in the floor, and you'll only need one steering joint to boot. The stock column-
mounted shift linkage will need to be modified or eliminated if you maintain the original
column, or this would be a natural time to add an aftermarket tilt unit.
From what I witnessed, installation of this kit is very straightforward, with
comprehensive instructions and diagrams. If you have any doubts about your welding
ability, though, it's definitely a good idea to have a qualified shop do at least that portion
of the work for you.
After driving the test vehicle, I can say firsthand how well it works. Whereas many
power steering setups are overly powered, leaving you with that "unattached" sensation,
this system gives a natural road feel to the steering. Most of us have driven large vintage
cars with no power steering and, well, we don't need to go there (Popeye arms)! Driving
this Mercury was easier and much more enjoyable, leaving me free to work on that
tough-guy sneer!
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