New Owner Bristol 409

[302rover]

[quote=Nick Challacombe;12301]Good day Tom, David and other non P/S Bristol V8's.
I was recommended to fit power steering by Brian Marelli, Bristol at that time were fitting the kit to customer cars and sales cars.
They recommended GTC Engineering.

Thanks, Nick, for this information. Like David in Florida, I am in Los Angeles so wouldn't be able to use GTC but given the high praise, I wish I could use them.

My 409 is already fitted with power steering, i.e. the old Marles box which leaks, has poor road feel, and, so I'm told, rebuild is problematic. On a parallel course with electric power steering, I'm thinking about converting to rack and pinion. Flaming River here in the US make a right hand drive unit. Has anyone on this forum converted a Bristol V8 to rack and pinon?

I converted my Jaguar Mk2 that originally had a Marles box to rack and pinion from a Jag XJ6. It works well and was cheap. But if you get the geometry wrong, bump steer can be a problem.

Cheers,
Tom

[AndrewA]

I stuck with the steering box (I just wanted to get driving again asap and didn't really consider a rack to be honest) - mine was leaking badly when I got it and after a longish search and thanks to help from others on here who suggested them, I sent it away to Kiley Clinton who despite the name of the web site do tackle steering boxes https://steering-racks.co.uk/
What they did appears excellent so far, the steering is very good. I did go right through the entire suspension/bushes etc etc as well.
The rack and pinion would be a great upgrade, and future proof a vital element of the car. Look forward to hearing how you get on - it looks like an awful lot of work!