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Hot Rods 1941 Caddy Power steering

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by dgasbag, Apr 13, 2020.

  1. dgasbag
    Joined: Feb 23, 2005
    Posts: 124

    dgasbag
    Member
    from Upstate NY

    I have a 1941 Cadillac model 62 4 door sedan. I am putting a 472 Caddy engine and th400 in, and want to do a power steering upgrade. Any help would be appreciated. NO RACK AND PINION!
     

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    harpo1313 likes this.
  2. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    Put a subframe from a 73-76 cutlass Monte Carlo in it. That will get you better suspension and power steering in one shot
     
  3. harpo1313
    Joined: Jan 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,584

    harpo1313
    Member
    from wareham,ma

    Put the caddy p steering box in it ,you already have the pump.
     
    1934coupe likes this.
  4. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Even with OEM frame and that engine, will there be sufficient room to run a rear steer integrated PS box with exhaust clearance, will box connect to OEM links and/or pitman arm? Delphi 600 / Saginaw? I envisage that the frame and other components will require alterations to fit PS. Maybe a 57 Cadillac style box?
    That's a lot of additional weight so you'll also need to consider suspension and brake upgrades as well, it's no longer a side valve V8.
     

  5. southerncad
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 949

    southerncad
    Member

    I'm not sure the frame width on your Cad, but FWIW, I used a '77 Seville subframe on my '49 and it fit great, and works super. Might be worth looking into, to help stop & steer that big rascal;)
     
  6. junkyardjeff
    Joined: Jul 23, 2005
    Posts: 8,588

    junkyardjeff
    Member

    Those frames might be very similar to the mid 50s Olds so you might be able to use a 56 to 58 Olds p/s box and might bolt in.
     
  7. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    That’s why I suggested a front frame clip from 74-76 cutlass Monte Carlo. I used a 76 cutlass frame clip on my 48 Olds 98 frame width was the same, worked great for me
     
  8. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,600

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    If this is true. I pulled factory power steering from a 56 Olds and installed a manual 525 box in it's place. That would mean any modern GM power steering box would bolt onto frame???
     
  9. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    On my 49 Buick I used a 78 Trans Am subframe. Came with PS and Disc brakes. I put the uprights and rotors from a 84 Cad on the trans Am clip and got the Buick bolt pattern and 11" rotors. And I also run a 472 Cad and a 400 trans.
     
    BigChief likes this.
  10. BigChief
    Joined: Jan 14, 2003
    Posts: 2,084

    BigChief
    Member

    We have a '41 Series 62 2 door ragtop. Im thinking a 472 and aluminum TH400 is not heavier than the original flatty and Hydromatic combo. These CaddyFlatty bits make my engine hoist rethink its purpose. Word on the street is that the 346 flatty is close to 900lbs and the 472 is about 600lbs.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2020
    s55mercury66 likes this.
  11. I would look into adapting a power unit that matches up at the gearbox. This would mean you need to shorten the column and figure out power gearbox that would work. See if borgenson has a solution. Otherwise the other way would be to a adapt 53-56 Cadillac gearbox and power steering assemblies. The nice part is that you will already have the power pump on the engine.
    No need to subframe. Mine actually already rises nice without PS.
    Unfortunately there is not much info on this conversion. The one I’ve seen over the years was a R&P from a defunct company.

    If you take a look at 53-55 Cadillac ps boxes the look like similar setups as the Belairs. I would image that would be a hint as where to go next for research.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2020
  12. coilover
    Joined: Apr 19, 2007
    Posts: 696

    coilover
    Member
    from Texas

    My 37 Buick has an idler arm mounted in the center of the front cross member with the drag link and two tie rods run off of it. It was going to take quite a bit of modification to hook up p/s plus the straight eight just has a single crank pulley so pump mounting was going to be an issue. I ended up with a Prius electric p/s unit which fits in the column and pretty much out of sight under the dash. I had a Saturn Vue electric unit but heard of problems so went with the Prius which has been problem free. No pump, hoses, mount brackets, pulleys, etc so a good set up for someone old fat and lazy.
     
    s55mercury66 likes this.

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