Power sterring for my 2.8

[jon@127]

I spoke to Richard Thorpe and he said it's dead easy just fit a Cortina Mk5 rack and a Granada pump! So now I'm hunting for the parts. I've made contact with someone, via ebay, who has a pump from a 2.9 Granada but I was wondering if this will fit my 2.8, does anyone know?
Also anybody got a Mk5 cortina PS rack they don't want.
Cheers
Jon

[wedg1e]

The pump is the easy bit, it's the rack that'll give you grief.
You may find you need a shorter lower column too.

[SEvans]

Jon, don't know the age of your car but if it is an early one ........There have been a few threads on this in the past. The consensus seems to be that it should not be a problem on later cars but some early 280's (my 200 included) will have problems with the chassis getting in the way of the slightly bigger power steering rack. I am just in the process of doing this upgrade myself and have picked up a Cortina power steering rack and Pinto/2L Cosworth pump. I have decided that even if the chassis does need modifying I am still going to go ahead with this. If I don't I will probably end up having to sell the car, not something I want to do with the amount of work I have put in to it over the last few years. If you can wait a couple of months I can let you know how I get on.

[kevsmev]

Steve/Jon,
If you need any measurements etc just let me know. My early car had powersteering from the factory. I have just stripped all of the front suspension, brakes and steering out of the car for a winter overhaul so everythings at its most accessable.
Kev
Edited to add - Anyone got a rear facing anti-roll bar going spare?


>> Edited by kevsmev on Monday 21st November 16:46

[shpub]

wedg1e said:

The pump is the easy bit, it's the rack that'll give you grief. You may find you need a shorter lower column too.

Actually the chassis is the real issue. If it is not the right type, the rack won't fit.

[jon@127]

Kev,
Have you any photos of the chassis and rack installation? Looking at mine the only potential problem I can see is the triangulating brace that runs from half way up the chassis leg that supports the suspension, across to the middle of the front chassis cross member below the radiator. At the moment the column fits neatly under this onto the rack but assuming the power rack had a bigger steering 'box' then this may foul the brace. If I have to I'll cut it and make a new one to fit round the rack but It would be good to see an actual official installation.

Back to the original question though, will the 2.9 pump fit onto my 2.8 engine?
I guess I'll ask the guy how much he wants and buy it anyway if it's cheap.

I posted the same question (re the pump)on the Ford forum, no response from them, they don't seem as keen or dynamic as we wedge boys!
Thanks
Jon


>> Edited by jon@127 on Monday 21st November 17:29

[wedg1e]

shpub said:

wedg1e said: The pump is the easy bit, it's the rack that'll give you grief. You may find you need a shorter lower column too. Actually the chassis is the real issue. If it is not the right type, the rack won't fit.

Yeah Steve, we know; but first you have to FIND a Cortina PAS rack

[grahamw48]

jon - try the Granada forums.
For the rack try: www.classiccortinas.co.uk (forum)

The PAS racks are sought after by the Cortina boys for V6 conversions, but you may be lucky.

>> Edited by grahamw48 on Monday 21st November 23:33

[kevsmev]

jon@127 said:

Looking at mine the only potential problem I can see is the triangulating brace that runs from half way up the chassis leg that supports the suspension, across to the middle of the front chassis cross member below the radiator. Back to the original question though, will the 2.9 pump fit onto my 2.8 engine? >> Edited by jon@127 on Monday 21st November 17:29

If you have a copy of Steves book, the chassis chapter shows a couple of pics of a rusted out early chassis and a replacement. The rusted out chassis shows a single cross tube brace between the two suspension towers. This is the same as my chassis. I presume from your description that your chassis has the triangular bracing as in the other pic.
The pump bracket is a "TVR bodged" Ford item that fits the pump above the alternator, which in turn is fitted to "TVR bodged" Ford bracket to drop it down lower.
I will try and get some pics taken this weekend and post on Monday.
Kev

[shpub]

That brace is arched on the PAS cars to provide the clearance. It is also quite important as it is the only thing that really stops the front suspension turret s from moving inwards.

[jon@127]

Thanks Steve & Kev.
Just checked the book and mine is the bottom picture. Think I'll weld in a cross brace as per the top pic.
I've now found a local(ish) firm that will supply recon pump & rack for £100 each plus the dreaded VAT of course, this seems reasonable to me.
I think it's all systems go now. I will keep you posted.
Jon

[shpub]

When you do that cross brace make sure that the suspension turret is braced before cutting otherwise it may well move and that will change the camber. And with the wedges there is no camber adjustment so it will screw up the geometries!

[jon@127]

Well, here's the story so far:
Eventually got the viscous fan off (thanks to all for their advice) but due to initially not realising it was LH thread I broke the flange that the pulley bolts into. So new water pump and £70 later I'm back on the job.
Modified the Chassis (thanks for the advice re not custting old brace off first, Steve)
New rack now fits.
Spoke to TVRcarparts and hopefully they can come up with a lower column section & new UJ's.
Mounted the pump, obtained from Capri specialist locally, and guess what, it more than fills the available space and now the air filter cover won't fit argg!!!!
Looks like a job for the welder and a new air filter.
In the meantime I have donned my anorack and painted all the suspension components and the engine, it keeps me off the streets!
Next I need the pipes to connect the pump to the rack. Not sure whare to go for these but will start my enquiries next week.
Back soon with the next installment.......
Jon

[grahamw48]

jon@127 said:

Well, here's the story so far: Eventually got the viscous fan off (thanks to all for their advice) but due to initially not realising it was LH thread I broke the flange that the pulley bolts into. So new water pump and £70 later I'm back on the job. Modified the Chassis (thanks for the advice re not custting old brace off first, Steve) New rack now fits. Spoke to TVRcarparts and hopefully they can come up with a lower column section & new UJ's. Mounted the pump, obtained from Capri specialist locally, and guess what, it more than fills the available space and now the air filter cover won't fit argg!!!! Looks like a job for the welder and a new air filter. In the meantime I have donned my anorack and painted all the suspension components and the engine, it keeps me off the streets! Next I need the pipes to connect the pump to the rack. Not sure whare to go for these but will start my enquiries next week. Back soon with the next installment....... Jon

Good luck mate.

It helps if you have the Haynes 2.8i Capri manual, for the engine/gearbox and injection info.

It would have saved you the seventy quid for a start.

[wedg1e]

If you have a Pirtek hydraulics branch locally, they should be able to make up the pipes... but you'd better be sitting down when they tell you the price!

[sevans]

jon@127 said:

Well, here's the story so far: Eventually got the viscous fan off (thanks to all for their advice) but due to initially not realising it was LH thread I broke the flange that the pulley bolts into. So new water pump and £70 later I'm back on the job. Modified the Chassis (thanks for the advice re not custting old brace off first, Steve) New rack now fits. Spoke to TVRcarparts and hopefully they can come up with a lower column section & new UJ's. Mounted the pump, obtained from Capri specialist locally, and guess what, it more than fills the available space and now the air filter cover won't fit argg!!!! Looks like a job for the welder and a new air filter. In the meantime I have donned my anorack and painted all the suspension components and the engine, it keeps me off the streets! Next I need the pipes to connect the pump to the rack. Not sure whare to go for these but will start my enquiries next week. Back soon with the next installment....... Jon

Jon, any chance of some pics of the chassis mods? I have spent the day looking at what is involved in upgrading mine and unfortunately not only do I have a problem with the rack but a standard Cosworth PS pump wont fit because of the chassis brace on the other side. Nothing is ever simple!! Would also be interested in any part numbers etc that you find for the rack to column connections. Cheers.

[jon@127]

Steve,
I have taken some pictures I will post them shortly, first I have to register for one of those fotango accounts, or I can e-mail you would like.
Cheers
Jon

[SEvans]

Jon, thanks for offering to send the pics. Have sent you an email with my details. Cheers.

[jon@127]

For those of you who are interested here are a couple of pictures, a before and an after.

[chassis 33]

Just playing devils advocate here...

Is there enough room to move the engine forward with that cross brace in place, should you ever need to remove the engine?

(I made a copy of the one in the early parts manual the bolts in with 3 bolts each side when I put a brace in, I obviously knew I would have no end of engine woes when I did that!)
Regards
Iain