Power steering conversion

[smiffy]

I have a Marles Varamatic PAS box and 420 subframe to fit to my 1966 2.4L Mk2 (it has the alloy sump as standard. I am looking for a solution for the PAS pump, as the standard Jaguar drive-through dynamo/pump will not fit the 2.4L engine (exhaust manifold is in the way). Two options spring to mind, one using the XJ6/XJS combined pump/reservoir, the other using a separate pump (such as that supplied in the Vicarage kit) with the reservoir from the Mk2. Any suggestions or ideas gratefully received - especially if you have a working solution to suggest! Best wishes, David

[martins]

I have converted my Mk 2 to the 420 set up. Replaced dynamo with alternator and bracket (big improvement in itself), 420 crank pullies and pas pump with bracket on the other side. I modified the bracket to bring the pump a bit closer to the engine and use a shorter belt. Had to move the brake servo out onto the outrigger in front of the wheel so the pas pump sits nicely partly in the hole in the inner wing where the servo used to be. The hole also provides access to the pump and dissy. All works well and steering is all standard 420 apart from the shorter belt. Also have fitted 4.2 front cover and water pump and large electric fan (Vectra diesel) in front of radiator (no room for fixed fan with 4.2 pump). Fan switch fitted into blanking plug of water pump. I know the purists dont like these mods, but for a car that is used regularly in modern traffic they are sensible improvements ( also have 4 pot calipers and XJ6 electronic dissy).
Martin

[smiffy]

Hi Martin
Thanks for this. I don't know what the 420 pump looks like, so I'm off to do some digging. I've seen a Mk2 3.4L with the early XJ6 combined pump/reservoir fitted on a bracket on the left side (nearside) of the XK block. Will probably end up with a modified 420 crank pulley to drive it all, though I'm thinking of doubling up the water pump pulley and driving the alternator from that, with the PAS pump and water pump driven from the crank.
Happy New Year,
Dave

[martins]

I think the 420 pump is the same as early XJ6 with the integral header tank. The 420 bracket is integral with the engine mount though. You would need long non standard pipes to mount on the left and it would be high up. I can send some photos if you let me have your email address.
Martin

[smiffy]

Good evening all
Finally got the Varamatic PAS box fitted this week (I know, but work etc. gets in the way). In the end I bought a PAS pump and bracket from Vicarage that they use on their steering rack conversions; the bracket is also the alternator mount and replaces the dynamo/engine mount bracket. However, there is no space to enable the drive belt to be tensioned, as the pump is too close to the nearside longitudinal rail beneath the engine mount reinforcement.
Has anyone fitted one of these pumps, or had one fitted? My feeling is that I have been sold the wrong bracket, as I think the pump needs to sit about an inch lower, but I have not been able to get much sense out of Vicarage.
Frustrating week, but I'm getting closer!
Best wishes, David

[Martec]

Hi David,

I'ts probably not much help but yes I've fitted the 420 marples front subframe then used a pump from an XJ6 series 2 or3 from a scrapyard.

My alternator was too high up to fit the pump as well so I made mountings for the alternator on the passenger-side engine mounting, as low as possible and a short adjustable link to a waterpump bolt. then fitted a new pulley from BSL (now brammer, bearing supplier ) to the existing pulley with a plate between to centralise them. Another bracket was made from the side of the engine to support the pump with adjustment.

The belts were just standard belts from 'Brammer' that would fit and give room for adjustment.

I have no idea what 'Vicarage' supply but you could try a shorter belt. I have photo's but can't see how to attach them. I've just replaced my Lucas ACR18 alternator without too much trouble.

Brian

[smiffy]

Good evening Gentlemen (and any ladies)
Finally got all the bugs ironed out, correct length drive belt and a mounting for the reservoir. Fired up this evening and.... Hey presto! Power steering, with no leaks. Am I chuffed? Is the Pope a Catholic?!
Best wishes, David

[BrianKeith]

I am considering having my 1964 Mk2 3.4 (it was a 2.4 when I bought it in 1985) converted to power steering. When the car was restored 2 years back, I was asked if I would like PAS fitted, and was informed there were a number of options for doing it. I was told the recommended way involved cutting into the channels either side of the engine bay (?). I was also told there were certain products on the market I should avoid. I declined at the time, but now regret the decision. With apologies for my lack of technical knowledge, can anybody offer me objective advice on the best way to do this, and possibly recommend someone who could do it for me, as it would be beyond my abilities. I'm based on Surrey/Kent border.

[smiffy]

Hi Brian
I looked into this quite a lot before I did my conversion. Most advice seems to be to avoid rack and pinion conversions because of difficulties with steering geometry, although Vicarage make one that seems to work.

Jaguar fitted two different PAS systems to the compact saloons, the earlier Burman and the later Adwest (Marles Varamatic). The earlier version will be a straight swap for the manual box. The Adwest system is better than the Burman, as it is 'progressive' in action, but it will necessitate the fitting of a matching subframe (420/420G) or a bit of cutting and welding on your current one. The lower steering column is shorter for both systems, and you will have to use the corresponding drop arm and idler for correct geometry.

There are a couple of options with regard to pressure pumps that depend a bit on whether you want an alternator or dynamo. The standard Jag drive-through dynamo/pump combination will fit the 3.4 block. If you want an alternator then you can get a drive-through conversion from RetroAir in the States that uses the Jag pump, or you can use a mounting bracket and pump from Vicarage. Another alternative for the pump is to use the XJ6 combined pump/reservior unit, though this will need a mounting bracket fabricating.

You will also need a reservoir for the steering fluid, unless you use the XJ6 unit. The Jag reservoir mounts on the inner wing behind the control box / fuseblock mounting, but there are other reservoir options if you don't need to be too authentic.

I'm pleased with my system and glad I did the conversion, though it was a bit of a fiddle at times. I'm afraid that I don't know anyone in your part of the world who would do this work for you. Most parts should be available from Jag breakers (Hollygrove in Ringwood, or there is a chap in Fleet and another in Poole who may have the parts you need). Send me an email or PM with your phone number if you want to discuss.
Best wishes, David

[stuarthardy]

Hi Chaps

I don't know whether this will help any but my 420 has its own combined pump/reservior, which is mounted on the right hand side of the engine and has its own drive belt and jockey wheel for tension. The alternator is located on the left hand side of the engine.

The power steering is nice and light but is totally lacking in feel. The varamatic concept sounds great but in practice it probably only serves to keep you between the ditches at speed.

I still love the car though.

I have service and parts manuals and might be able to dig out some illustrations of the installation in the 420, if it helps any.

Good luck in whatever decision you make.

Regards
Stuart

[smiffy]

Hi Stuart
I agree with you about the lack of feel, but it is better than heaving the steering wheel round when trying to park or get into the garage. The lack of self-centering has been commented on before, so corners have to be driven out of rather than letting the wheels do their own thing. Although the steering does feel a bit vague, it is responsive when it has to be and has kept me out of the ditches (so far!). The PAS means that my wife can drive the car, too.
Best wishes, David

[jwment]

Thought I'd put this up, just incase anyone hasn't seen it.

http://www.ezpowersteering.nl

It's a Dutch website, but they do have an english language option and a UK workshop.

Expensive ... but it looks like a good soloution for retro fitted power steering. Especially if you've already gone down the neg.earth and alternator route like me.

I will be investigating this further, but it won't be anytime soon. I've got brakes, suspension and wiring to sort out first.

Roll on Spring, so I can take the wraps off and get started.

Johnny.