220SEb P/S question

[tram]

A customer is looking at a 1964 220SEb coupe from out- of-state and wanted to know if I could convert it to power steering for him. Since I've done this before, my only concern is to make sure that all 220SEb engines for that year indeed have the threaded bosses in the block to mount up the pump bracket. I'm pretty sure they do, but it's just one of those nagging questions I can't verify anywhere, including searching this site.

He also wants this done on his 1960 220SE Ponton coupe, but I told him I need to check it out for proper mounting points.

Any insight would be appreciated. Being able to convert to P/S will make or break the purchase.

[wbain5280]

All the threaded holes are there. You must use the parts for the fuel injected engine because the bracket for the cab vs MFI engines are different, the reservoir is mounted up on the side of the block as opposed to the pump.

The steering rod, from wheel to coupler, must be replaced with a longer one. Caster also increases with the power steering version, so an alignment is necessary.

Are you sure he really wants to do this? It may get expensive.

[tram]

Originally Posted by wbain5280

All the threaded holes are there. You must use the parts for the fuel injected engine because the bracket for the cab vs MFI engines are different, the reservoir is mounted up on the side of the block as opposed to the pump.

The steering rod, from wheel to coupler, must be replaced with a longer one. Caster also increases with the power steering version, so an alignment is necessary.

Are you sure he really wants to do this? It may get expensive.

Hi- many thanks for the quick response. I have a good source on used parts for the conversion- in fact, he sells these as a complete package, so no problems. I did a conversion not too long ago on a 200D for the same customer, and I've done these conversions on Fintails and W108s in the past. And right- FI engines take the remote reservoir, as do Diesels. But the steering column itself as well as the cast aluminum base for the column which bolts to the firewall must be changed along with the rod, as manual steering cars have a column with a different contour due to the P/S models having the "cupped in" aluminum base. But, if memory serves, the P/S coupling rod is actually shorter, because the P/S pump puts the coupler farther up into the floor. That's why the cast aluminum base needs to be cupped in. And, I always lubricate align whenever I do any front end work at all.

Thanks again!

[wbain5280]

Sorry, you are right about the steering rod, it is shorter due to the larger steering power steering gear.

If you have all the components, swap away.

[mercmad6.3]

column shaft is 50 mm shorter on PS cars.
You wont fit power steering into a ponton( too narrow in the chassis ) . There must be something wrong with the alignment if it is difficult for the customer to drive it though. They are very light on the steering if everything is correct. Radial tyres can make them too heavy to drive so anything too wide should be avoided . perhaps a session in the gym to 'man up' might be in order?

[wbain5280]

The 220SEb is also light on the steering. It has about 2.5 deg of caster and of PS models, about 4.5 deg of caster.

[tram]

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

column shaft is 50 mm shorter on PS cars.
You wont fit power steering into a ponton( too narrow in the chassis ) . There must be something wrong with the alignment if it is difficult for the customer to drive it though. They are very light on the steering if everything is correct. Radial tyres can make them too heavy to drive so anything too wide should be avoided . perhaps a session in the gym to 'man up' might be in order?

Customer, unfortunately, is in his 60s and was involved in a horrific car accident in which his wife was killed and his collarbone was broken in '08. It's not a question of "manning up", it's a question of resultant arthritis. I have no problem driving the Ponton, but it's not pleasant for him at this point.