Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I decided early in the project to install the Borgeson power steering conversion kit on my 1968 fastback. I liked the fact that it looked "original" and talked with a few car owners at the Myrtle Beach Mustang Week show who had the conversion kit on their cars.

I installed a 351W engine and used the Ron Morris motor mounts that lowered the engine 1/2" to eliminate any hood clearance issues. The engine has a front sump low profile Canton oil pan so don't think there are any issues there.

After I had installed all the front suspension components, I checked everything for proper clearances when I noticed that the center link on the LH side was closer to the oil pan than on the RH side (where the idler arm attaches). I reached up and turned the steering box coupler and sure enough, at about halfway through turning the wheels to the left, the knuckle on the center link where the inner tie rod is attached hit the oil pan. However, when I turn the wheels to the right, there is plenty of clearance with the center link and the oil pan.

I put a level on the oil pan and the engine is perfectly level. I had considered shimming the motor mounts to eliminate some of the 1/2" drop but I don't think this will be enough to eliminate the interference plus this will probably screw up my header to h-pipe connections.

Just looking at the problem I was thinking about what could be done to any of the steering components to fix this. I imagine if I heat and bend the steering arm or the center link bar, it will screw up my steering geometry. I wonder if anyone makes/can make a custom steering arm?

I have contacted Borgeson and waiting on an answer from them.

Any suggestions or recommendations other that completely replacing the entire steering assembly since I have about $1,000 invested in the Borgeson setup. My engine compartment is completely done and I really don't what to have to pull everything out to install a new steering system.

Note that the car originally had manual steering so I am using the original center link (replaced the tie rods and idler arm).

Many thanks.

 

Get hold of the others who converted with this kit and ask them about issues like this.
Free bump.