Power steering 1946 convertible

[Caddy44]

Hello. 
Someone might tell me if it is possible to put a power steering on a 1946 convertible.
  thank you

[jackworstell]

A few months ago we added electric power steering to our 1937 Cadillac series 60.
The unit came from a 2005 Chevy Equinox.
.
So far ...so good.   It is working very well

This is not an easy task.   And many people frown on doing this because it
departs from originality.     But it sure makes driving an old Cadillac much easier.

One complication is that the EPS unit is 12V  and of course our 1937 series 60.is 6V.
We got around  this by adding a separate 12V circuit utilizing a 12V lawn tractor battery
We keep the battery charged with a small electronic 6v to 12v converter.
The EPS unit pulls heavy amps ( easily 20 amps or more ) under load
but this is short term and over=all average amp draw is modest

There are kits available ( these are expensive ) that makes this project
easier.....but in any event it is a tough project.

Jack Worstell

[35-709]

Here is a PS installation in a '41 Cadillac convertible.  Sorry I don't have a shot of the installation underneath but believe it used an earlier Ford setup with a power piston.  Saw a nice late '40s flathead Caddy at the Boston Grand National with belt driven PS (and AC), so they are out there, takes a little engineering and head scratching.  Am not aware of a "kit". 

[jackworstell]

...The unit we put on our 1937 series 60 required no belts or pulleys.....the EPS unit mounts into the steering column.

The steering column has to be removed from the car then a section cut out for the EPS electric motor unit
then the EPS motor unit "meshed" into the steering column.     It takes some "doing"

Maybe a little easier than adding belts and pulleys...but either way it's a big job.

Jack Worstell

[35-709]

Checking further, RPM Engineering used to offer a PS kit for flathead Cadillacs, don't know if they still do or if they are even in business anymore, I can't find them on the internet.

Here is a electric PS kit from Flaming River, a well regarded company.  Pricey!
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0013/EPAS/FR40200?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5tOtk_3f5QIVBOiGCh2tEQaNEAMYAiAAEgKF6PD_BwE

And yes, a fair amount of work, belt driven or electric but (as you can see) it has been done.

[Caddy44]

a big thank you to all for your answers. 

I would rather look at a hydraulic solution ...

[jyinger]

Re:  Hydraulic solution
I used the PS components (hydraulic) from a '53 Cadillac to convert two of my '49s to power steering.  Works great.

I'm not sure how different it would be to make the same conversion on a '46, but I'll bet that it could be done.

Jon
1942 series 61
1949 Coupe DeVille (2)
1949 convertible
1949 Fleetwood
1952 Fleetwood
1958 Eldorado Brougham