Ford 3000 Power Steering to Manual Conversion. Leave Pump in Place?

Farmer996

Member
Location
North East
I broke the power steering box at the weekend and a new one is much more expensive than a manual one. I posted in the wanted forum yesterday to see if anyone has a box but no luck so far:

https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/ford-3000-power-steering-box-rack.183618/

If I go for a manual box, the question is what to do with the pump. The box had a bad leak at the top of the shaft for a good while before it broke but it has been running with a bit of fluid in there. I'm just wondering if if will damage the pump if it runs dry?

I might put it back to power steering one day so ideally, I'd rather leave everything in. Is it possible to connect the flow to the return and if so, can you get them off the shelf or is it a custom job? I've had a look online but can't find anything.

If the pump has to come out, can you get a blanking plate for the gear end? Again, had a look but no joy.

Thanks,
 

Netherfield

Member
Location
West Yorkshire
Won't do the pump any good at all running dry, if it seizes up it could wreck the timing gears as well.

You can connect the flow to the return,but as you say it will be a custom job.

There must be blanking plates for when power steering isn't fitted, finding one is something else.
 

db9go

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Buckinghamshire
Won't do the pump any good at all running dry, if it seizes up it could wreck the timing gears as well.

You can connect the flow to the return,but as you say it will be a custom job.

There must be blanking plates for when power steering isn't fitted, finding one is something else.
You can get a blanking plate it is the same on all the engines 2/3/4/5/ 10 series 2 4 and six cylinder.
Just be care full about putting a manual box on i know you can not do it on the early 4 cylinder tractors as the box operated opposite way like if you turned left it went right
 

Farmer996

Member
Location
North East
I'm thinking it might be best to take the pump out. No point in it working for nothing. May as well have less hours on it if/when I do need it. Also crossed my mind whether the return rate is normally less than flow so it might cause problems by linking them outside the box.

I'll take it out tomorrow and see how it looks. Might even be able to make a plate and fit it with a bit of instant gasket. I imagine there's oil in the gearing behind but there can't be any/much pressure? It's not like a crankcase, or is it?

It's a 3 cylinder model but I'll double check before I buy the box. Steering the wrong way would be a nightmare! Will also try it before I fit it.
 

Farmer996

Member
Location
North East
Returning the oil would not cause a problem, the pump would not be making any great pressure to start with, and the return rate can't be less than the flow or the pump would run out of oil eventually.
Ah. Good point. I used to be a motorcycle mechanic and I'm only an amateur tractor mechanic! I still think I'll look at taking it out though.
 

db9go

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Buckinghamshire
Returning the oil would not cause a problem, the pump would not be making any great pressure to start with, and the return rate can't be less than the flow or the pump would run out of oil eventually.
The only problem with doing that it is still wearing its self out were as if you remove it and then get the box repaired then you can put the pump back on.
 

Farmer996

Member
Location
North East
Update: I contacted 3 suppliers of aftermarket manual boxes to check they'd fit. One doesn't know, one hasn't replied yet and the other said it will but I'll need to change some other bits. I've tried the breakers for a used power steering box but no joy. A couple of them said a manual will fit but who do I believe? I could bite the bullet and buy a new power steering box but the tractor itself probably isn't worth much more. Any help/advice appreciated.
 

Farmer996

Member
Location
North East
Strip all power steering components off and flog them on eBay then source manual box and drag links etc from a tractor breakers.
Sounds like a plan but I'm not exactly sure what I need. I've got a parts supplier looking at it and pricing up new manual bits so I'll see what he says and go from there. Thanks.
 

7610 super q

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
Can you get a complete system from a 3600 / 3610 from a breakers ?
Those early power " assisted " jobs were pretty rare, and were soon superseded.
Parts will be rare......
 

Farmer996

Member
Location
North East
how did it get broken there anyway
I hit a bump and clipped a fence post. The right wheel turned beyond full lock. Pushed the shaft up and snapped the case.

20170730_172723.jpg
 

Farmer996

Member
Location
North East
Update: After failing to find a power steering box (except for a £1,200 US recon) I fitted a manual unit from Agriline for £210. Didn't need any extra parts. Steering is much lighter than the old power steering unit (before it broke big time it was leaking fluid and never worked properly). Would recommend a manual box to anyone in the same position. Also took the pump out and made a blanking plate from a rusty old bit of steel plate and sealed it with kitchen & bathroom sealant. I won't post a photo because it's a bit rough! Have done a couple of hours topping on it this afternoon and so far so good.

20170815_174501.jpg
 

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