I thought I read that the steering column part will need to be shortened? That sounds like a hard thing to do.
The problem with original P/S, valve and cylinder are very prone to leakage. Unless rebuilt you'll probably have to carry a bucket to catch what runs out. That said, with modern seals leaks aren't a problem. I'm still flailing with mine, found the pump canister I was planning to use has a off set opening for pressure port. Cans for '69 were straight out back.
My car came with power steering, minus the pump. I bought new hoses and adapted a pump to it, and so far have no leaks. The steering box took around 100 pumps of grease from my small grease gun, but had no slop in it. I read somewhere that the power steering box mostly just operates the power valve, and the assist ram does the grunt work enabling the steering box to not wear much. I probably dont need PS, but just wanted to try it. I will probably never autocross or anything like that, so the semi squishy steering is fine. If you ever add additional caster to your alignment, I hear that makes P/S more of a plus. Mine makes a little soft knocking noise when cold.....I cant figure out why.
Longer than it should have. Real answer, actual install, probably a day & half. Of course I spent probably a week rebuilding, cleaning, readying parts. End result, performs perfectly, making car a pleasure to drive. Would not hesitate to do it again. (this is third system I've rebuilt or swapped from manual) I had issues with new Lares "silent" pump not wanting to prime, found must be spun up befor anything will happen(a Ford pump will prime spinning by hand). I had written it off when I decided to spin it with a drill, bingo. I do have to say, haven't heard a sound from it. Also had issue with the "drop" cylinder mounting bracket(required with headers). Cut on that thing unmercilessly to get acceptable fit/clearance. .
You didn't install oil/fluid cooler? May not be an issue, my car had OE cooler which I had thought about installing in my converted setup; as of yet, have not added a cooler and have not experienced in issues. Question on the "Lares" pump, is an upgrade for the noisy Ford pumps? Nice work on that rebuild Tom.
Short answer, no cooler. Usually P/S coolers are on A/C vehicles and really weren't used till early '70s(no doubt exceptions). Neither my Comet(orig A/C) or Cobra has one, system on Cobra was removed from a 1968 390 Torino GT with A/C. On pump I'm just going by what listing said on Rockauto, which was only (silent type)... Still hooked me deep enough that I bought two... Orig Torino pump on Cobra has a fairly substantial moan on low speed maneuvers. One of these days I'll swap it's pump. Ford P/S drop brackets can be bought from Summit, Jegs, even Amazon.. Again not necessary unless installing full length headers.
The drop bracket on my car was custom, made sometime B4 I got the car. It was heavy gauge steel; at some point the brackets sold by vendors must have failed. Actually, the bracket in this pic failed at one of the welds coming out of the garage one day -- Glad it failed there, was headed to Wisconsin. Had I known about a quiet pump, I might have considered keeping OE setup. I don't need the bracket now, plan to have it cut off next time at muffler shop.
This isn't to say a factory frame bracket isn't required, with headers a extended version is required.
