1973 Maverick 4-door

CA189HJN submitted a new car to the Garage :

1973 Maverick 4-door

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I see you running GM gen 1 pump; I have same pump w/ but using Borgerson steering box. Had same twitch steering over 45 mph. I installed 4 Borg shim kit in pressure side of pump making possible to drive on highway.

 

That sounds like a great idea. The Ford shop manual say 1,000 psi is the minimum for Maverick Comet. According to the Borgerson instructions for the kit, that would be three shims. I ordered it. Thanks.

 

Let me know how your setup works! Three shims were not quite enough, was still a little sensitive.

 

Nice car, a great start for a project!

 

When I took apart the pump, there were two shims (theoretically 1,100 psi). I went with four shims (theoretically 850 psi). It drives, far, far better now, probably a little heavier that it was in 1973. That's okay, too. The system seems quite sensitive to changes in pressure.

I also changed the steering control valve at the same time, so two variables changed. The previous control valve was a crappy made-in-China repro, which never worked well. The replacement was a rebuilt OEM Bendix valve.

For those who find this thread in a google search, discussion is about the Borgeson Pump Pressure Reducing Kit, part number 899001. Available directly from www.borgeson.com , it comes with five shims and a clamp tool to hold the flow valve during shim installation. It comes with instructions simple enough that even a low-skill mechanic like me could understand. I had to remove the pump from the car to install the shims. Your mileage may differ.