TCP rack and pinion on a 67

It should be great, from what I've heard. Also, from what I've heard, EVERYONE who gets the TCP rack and pinion ops for the power unit. This comes straight from the shops and directly from TCP. They dont make many of the manual units.

The unit is supposed be great, ridgid and percise. But EXPENSIVE. I was going to have the power rack and pinion installed in my 66, but instead I opted for a Flaming River quick ratio box.

I'll let you know how it turns out, when I get it on the road during the next few weeks.

Tom

http://members.home.net/tomtalford

66 Coupe:
302, AFR heads, Tremec 5 speed, Performer RPM, MSD Ignition, 9" w/ 3.70 gears, 4 wheel disc, subframe connectors, etc

If you absolutely don't want power steering then you should stay with what you've got - I've heard from folks who've put this in that the manual r&p takes more strength than a manual gearbox. On the other hand, the power unit supposedly has great road feel.

Visit my repair page for Repair info, with pictures! http://home.dencity.com/mustangcub

I opted for the Flaming River new gearbox, but am still unsatisifed with the result.

In lieu of a TCP rack & pinion set-up, I'm debating installing a Mustang II rack & pinion. Search around in the VMF forum and you'll find phone numbers of shops which make adapter kits. It's certainly cheaper than the TCP set-up and maybe less than a new gearbox.

Thanks,

Mike
'66 Springtime Yellow Coupe
289, slightly warmed over
driven daily

Mike,

I am not an expert on this subject, but I did have a chance three or four years ago to talk with the TCP rack & pinion developer (can't remember his name, sorry). Mustang II and most other rack & pinions are designed to mount in front of the steering wheels. 1965 to 1973 Mustangs, Falcons, etc. require a rack & pinion designed for use behind the steering wheels. The original rack that this fellow tried was from a Saab which has the rack mounted behind the steering wheels. I think the designed in strengths or structures are different enough so as to make the cross use impractical.

I think you can go to Mustang II steering, but it may require replacing most of your front suspension, much like they do on hot rods. You also may need to install a new oil pan and oil pick-up.

Hope this helps,
Russ

your url here.JPG

Stang6767,
The feel of the TCP manual rack will be about the same as your factory manual, although it will not want to track the ruts on the freeway as much, depending on the width of your front tires. I have only installed the power units on some cars.

I read an article in one of the Mustang magazines in the last year and it showed step by step how to install and rack & pinion out of a 90-95 Taurus and fabricate a cross member, it look great and the end cost was around $450 (a lot cheaper than the TCP unit). I wish I new the magazine and month of the article was in because I want to try in on my Mustang. I'm planning on hunting through my pile of Mustang magazines and when I find it I'll post the info. Sorry I don't have more exact details.

Unsatisfied? Poor quality of workmanship? Lousy customer service? I'm considering a Flaming River setup since the original steering box is very sloppy. This is the second post that has concerns about Flaming River. Most posters rave about the improved steering and road feel.

"What we have here is--failure to communicate."

'67 GTA (clone) coupe soon to be 5.0L w/Edelbrock 1406

I believe the Taurus rack was in the Jan 2000 issue of Mustang Monthly.
It was titled "Carefree Carving" I think.
The key to this was the crossmember piece and the adapter for the rack to steering column shaft.