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| Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68693 |
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| Author: | crickhollow [ Tue Jul 07, 2026 4:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
Can I fit power steering to my 1961 Plymouth Valiant? |
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| Author: | hyper_pak [ Tue Jul 07, 2026 7:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
From what I understand, the answer is yes. They made a high mount drivers side alternator mount from the t-stat housing. The pump mounted below. Shimos has installed it on his Valiant Wagon. |
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| Author: | SlantSixDan [ Tue Jul 07, 2026 4:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
High-mount alternator etc is '60-only, when the alternator was on the manifold side. For '61, it was moved to the distributor side. P/S pump bracketry is '60-'66; get the brackets to go with the kind of pump you're using; OE was Thompson (--> TRW, later Federal pumps also fit these brackets), with Saginaw pumps (different bracketry) being added in parallel starting in '65. Later brackets put the P/S pump too far out from the engine for sure compatibility with narrow early engine bay, though that problem is more likely with A/C. Make sure to get brackets and a pump (or at least a pump pulley) from a car without factory A/C. The power steering gearbox is '60-'61 Valiant-Lancer only; no other years or models. That'll be difficult to find, and you'll almost certainly have to send it to Red Head or Steer & Gear or Firm Feel for rebuild (and upgrade, if you're wise). High-pressure hose (from pump to box) is still available, last I checked. Steering shaft is shorter with P/S, and it's another '60-'61-only piece; you may wind up having to get your existing shaft shortened. P/S pump drive sheave bolts onto the front of the vibration damper. Same all years, right from '60 to '87. |
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| Author: | Greg Ondayko [ Tue Aug 18, 2026 1:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
I think Dan shares all good points except for the power steering pump drive pulley on the crankshaft damper. My '62 with factory (I believe) power steering has the drive pulley behind the damper. I am not sure if there is clearance between the fan and front-mounted damper drive pulley.  
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| Author: | Dart270 [ Tue Aug 18, 2026 2:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
Just say no to power steering... These cars do great with manual, IMHO, and the road feel and handling are so much better. Lou |
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| Author: | SlantSixDan [ Tue Aug 18, 2026 4:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
Honestly, yeah. I can see wanting a faster ratio (fewer turns lock-to-lock) on a '62-up car, because those have a 24:1 ratio with 5-3/4 turns lock to lock. But they are a joy to drive with a 20:1 nonpower box installed. 4-1/2 turns lock-to-lock. The '60-'61 cars with nonpower steering all came with 20:1. Power steer is 16:1 (3-1/2 turns) but it comes at a pretty giant cost: no roadfeel and not enough self-centre action unless you spend for a super-premium built-up box, much heavier, hassle of a more crowded engine bay and another belt (with a not-very-well-designed belt drive), new leak points, a new parasitic drain on engine power… |
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| Author: | Greg Ondayko [ Wed Aug 19, 2026 3:44 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
My other stock '62 is a breeze to drive with the non-power steering. Of course, it has the Mopar 24:1 Steering Box. The 20:1 would be ideal, but for me, I would likely toss in a 16:1 box to fit my personal taste. |
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| Author: | SlantSixDan [ Wed Aug 19, 2026 11:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
I hated the 16:1 nonpower box I put in my '65 (with aluminum 225 engine, for reckoning of how much the front end weighed). Sapped all the joy and fun out of driving the car, it did. |
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| Author: | Greg Ondayko [ Wed Aug 19, 2026 6:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Power steering for my 1961 Plymouth Valiant |
Not for me though. It zapped some fun into my '64! Everyone is different. And I can save $3 by not needing that gym membership becasue ...you know parking and garaging a car with a 16:1 manual box. 
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