After searching for a while, I finally found a PS gearbox from a 164 to be retrofitted into my 74 144. The seller is letting me have it for a bargain. Here's the catch. Its missing the pump and the resevoir and hoses. The hoses are not a problem at all since I can get them custom made, but what about the pump and the resevoir? Can I use one from an early or later model 240? Or can I get one from other cars that have an integral pump and resevoir in one unit?

Many thanks in advance for your inputs.
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...and the bricks keep on rolling

I would be very interested in hearing how this works out. I tried installing power steering years ago in a 71 144 but could not work out the steering shaft. The power steering box, hoses, reservoir and pump all worked out. The problem I encountered was that the upper end of the steering shaft needed to mate up with fittings, trim, turn signal stalk etc for a 71 while the lower end needed to be the style from 73 onward which included the short offset shaft with 2 "U" joints and the rubber breakaway grommet. At least that was my conclusion since 71 models in the U.S. did not come with power steering and therefore the lower end of the steering shaft was completely incompatible with the lower end power steering set up. I actually had two shafts which a welding shop offerd to combine. Badly done and unusable. I finally gave up and reinstalled all the original components. That car went to the great rust heap a few years back.

I did not think that the steering shaft would be that big of an issue, since two of the three units we got came out of a 122 and 1800, and they worked well. The other one came out of a 144. I have not had a good look at the steering shafts, but my guess is that if it came out of a 144, it will go back into one. Then again, mine is a RHD model, and without the braking components in the way, the steering shafts run straight into the box, with no U-joints. That probably makes any fabrication work easier. I am not a fan of cutting the steering shafts, but then again, people shorten driveshafts all the time to accomodate the O/D gearboxes with no problems. I guess I'll keep my original shaft and used the one that came with the box. Not sure if it has been shorten. P/S was offered in 74 on 140s with auto tranny, so the best set up would be one that came from those cars.

The shop is full this week. I'll only get to send my car in end of the month. I'll let you know when its ready.


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...and the bricks keep on rolling

What are you doing for the steering shaft? I'm in New Zealand with a '71 144 that my father bought new in South Africa. Also parting out a 1973 164 which has PS and I'm keen on transplanting it into my 144. Problem is that these NZ authorities are getting very strict as to what you can and can not do, especially when it comes to modifying steering parts (PS will be fine, worried about cutting the steering shaft).

Didn't think about that shaft yet, really. Of the three sets available, I will be getting the one that came out of a 144, so it will be a "bolt on" operation.

You might want to check in Australia for a shaft that came out of a 74 145 auto ONLY. AFAIK, those are the only 140 series came with standard P/S, at least in the USA.

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...and the bricks keep on rolling

I went to check out another p/s set today at the shop. Apparently, Santa heard what I asked for this year, and sent 3 units of the p/s, two of them complete for a bolt-on installation. I told him that I have been extremely good this year...All three units came from running 122, a 1800 (!) and a 144. They had to be parted out due to extreme rust. I'll get a complete set, my buddy mechanic gets one for his 122 wagon, and the third will be probably kept for spares for now.

My question for now is what type of p/s fluid you guys recommend? Will regular generic p/s fluid work?

I could not believe my eyes when I finally saw the units. Priceless! I have been searching for them for a long time now.
Well, to pay for them...there's MasterCard.

Happy Holidays guys!

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...and the bricks keep on rolling

Sure. Oughta work fine. Got a place on the block to mount it?
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George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Yeap, it'll run off the A/C compressor pulley which has room for two belts. Getting a bracket custom made to hold both, the compressor and the pump.
There's a 122 in town with the same custom made mounting for the P/S pump + a/c compressor, looks neat and we'll get the same guy to do the bracket fabrication. I guess I'll go with the integral pump/reservoir unit. Easier to install and reduced plumbing. Thanks George.
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...and the bricks keep on rolling

i have several ps pumps, brakets and lines for a 140 if you interested in them.

best of luck

lawrence

Thanks Lawrence, but I am half the way across the globe from where you are.
The biggest headache was getting the RHD p/s gearbox. The other components can be fabricated.
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...and the bricks keep on rolling