V8 Daimler PAS

[Mike1958]

I am considering buying a 1960's V8 2.5 Daimler. Many years ago I owned a non assisted steering MK 2, but have never owned a Daimler.

Has anybody any views on whether power steering improves the drive? I know this is a personal preference issue, but I assume if the car is a good one the steering will not be particularly heavy. Correct assumption?

Presumably 1960's pas will be a bit vague / light, any thoughts on modern pas conversions?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks, Mike

[Markymark69]

I had a V8 250 many moons ago, im sure it didnt have power steering.

Are you sure the car you are looking at has it?

[RW774]

The little V8 should not need power steering. The 60s setups were all around steering boxes and these were vague, but there are imnprovements that can be made to tighten them up. Decent dampers and springs will help alot too. Do not under any circumstances fit a rack conversion.

[mikey77]

I had a 1964 2.5 litre years ago. It definitely had power steering but it wasn't Marles Varamatic, as fitted to many later Jaguars and Daimlers. The system worked well with good 'feel' until, after several years, it started to play up. I spent a long time and a lot of money trying to find out why it would boil its power steering fluid. Eventually we found out there was some sort of internal misalignment between the pump and its pipework that was increasing pressure and heating up the fluid.
Sorry I can't remember much about it, 20 years on, but the power steering system was most certainly there - I think I still have the hole in my bank account!