Have a 1970 grabber with manual steering. Would like to swap to power steering . I let my fingers do the walking through Facebook marketplace and found a guy selling a rear end for a 1968 cougar. Went to look at it and he also had a complete power steering system from the same car, and 302 v8. Bought both the rear end and the steering system. now for my question. Will the center link from the cougar work on my 1970 grabber? What else will I need such as idler arm? Pitman arm? Other tie rods? Part numbers also. Thanks In advance…..
The Cougar is a wider car. With the rear end, it will bolt into the Maverick but make sure to get wheels with enough offset to compensate for the extra width. As for the steering, not much will fit, again due to the Cougar being wider.
I have every intention to narrow the 8 inch to my needs. I’m just wondering about the center link more than anything. If it’s wider than what I need what is the part number of the one I am looking for? Sure idler , pitman, inner tie rods and hoses I can find new.
Yes the Mav/Comet center link is shorter than other intermediates, Stang, & Cougar, that share similar suspension. Other than center link, idler & pitman arms, virtually all front end & steering parts will interchange with '67-'70 Cougar, Stang and '68-71 Fairlane, Torino etc. Steering sectors are same as Fairlane/Torino, Stang/Coug boxes have different bolt spacing. P/S sectors have a quicker ratio than manual. Other pitman arms may work, but idlers are center link specific. There are three Mav units '70-'72, '73-'74 & '75 '77 . The later unit uses same idler as Granada, should be easy to source. For the '73-'74 I believe idler bushing presses into center link. For '72 I'll have to look at link that came off my Comet to refresh my memory. I have the '75-'77 system installed.
Your best bet would be to go with later 75-77 PS set up, just like what Tom did on his 72, all parts are available new. Here is one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/185024776134?fits=Model:Maverick|Make:Ford&hash=item2b145607c6:g:seIAAOSwTbxhLTXO Power Steering box: https://www.ebay.com/itm/194792266066?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20180816085401&meid=aa04400c432f43a899c105e424de9339&pid=100970&rk=2&rkt=2&sd=185024776134&itm=194792266066&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2380057&brand=Ford&_trksid=p2380057.c100970.m5481&_trkparms=pageci:6967f8e9-90d8-11ec-845f-56a580fd68ae|parentrq:0dadd1f517f0a74489d09e5cfffec3fa|iid:1 You would also require PS Pitman arm as the tapered hole is 180* to that of your MS arm, steering box ratio is different between MS and PS (quicker ratio, less turning lock to lock). Finding PS center link for earlier years, only option are used ones or someone having NOS. Attached couple of pages from AutoKrafter Catalog so you can use as cross reference for Idler Arm/Tie Rods between the different years. Or you could go with one of those Borgeson set ups, that a few members have used....... David I do have a complete PS set up (less pump/pulleys) from my 73 Comet 302, if you are interested, PM me.......
