Can a SBC power steering setup be used on a BBC? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**ScottH** · 08-26-2004, 01:45 PM

Hey guys,

I have 68 project truck I plan to install a 396 in it. I have a power steering setup for a small block and was wondering if I could use it on the big block. I'm not too concerned about originality right now, maybe later but this would save some cash for the time being.

Any info or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

72C203503ONTHETREE · 08-26-2004, 04:08 PM

The pump istelf, gear box, and possibly even the lines will work but the brackets will be different I beleive. Chevy used the same pump and gearbox on all the trucks, actually the pump is probably swappable to any GM car or truck up to 79 when they switched to the metric O-ringed hose connections. The return hose is no big deal, just shorten the one you have or get a new piece if you need a longer one. The pressure hose may work depending on the position the pump will be compared to the small block. Get some PS brackets at a junkyard or from one of the many good vendors/members on here.

GMC AMI · 08-26-2004, 04:23 PM

As 72 said, the brackets are not the same , the block holes are spaced dif. on the small block vs. the big block. If I rem. the big block holes are wider spaced and are Dif brackets.

Tx Firefighter · 08-26-2004, 05:23 PM

The pump housings are way different too, as well as the brackets already mentioned.

The big block uses a big hose leading to a remote fluid reservoir on the fenderwell.

The small block has the reservoir built into the pump itself.

tom hand · 08-26-2004, 06:38 PM

You can use the pump you have now with an alan grove bracket and the short waterpump...if using a long waterpump just use 73 up brackets

**ScottH** · 08-26-2004, 07:53 PM

Thanks guys, just what I was looking for!

flip66 · 08-26-2004, 08:21 PM

I have a 69 396 and I used the alan grove bracket works great

**ScottH** · 08-26-2004, 10:02 PM

Flip66, did u use a short or long wp? If short, how did u mount the alternator?

Thanks.

Scott

flip66 · 08-26-2004, 11:44 PM

It had the short water pump and the alternator bracket on it when I got it. The power steering box was there but someone had removed the power steering pump and bracket so I know it had one. I did not want to pay the 200.00 for the factory one so I bought the one from alan grove for 60.00 and used the pump I had. I have attached pictures

72C203503ONTHETREE · 08-27-2004, 03:01 PM

Cool, learned another thing today, I never saw an older(pre 73) big block truck so now I know the pumps are different also.

08-26-2004, 01:45 PM	#1
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Can a SBC power steering setup be used on a BBC? Hey guys, I have 68 project truck I plan to install a 396 in it. I have a power steering setup for a small block and was wondering if I could use it on the big block. I'm not too concerned about originality right now, maybe later but this would save some cash for the time being. Any info or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

08-26-2004, 04:08 PM	#2
72C203503ONTHETREE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grant, Alabama Posts: 504	The pump istelf, gear box, and possibly even the lines will work but the brackets will be different I beleive. Chevy used the same pump and gearbox on all the trucks, actually the pump is probably swappable to any GM car or truck up to 79 when they switched to the metric O-ringed hose connections. The return hose is no big deal, just shorten the one you have or get a new piece if you need a longer one. The pressure hose may work depending on the position the pump will be compared to the small block. Get some PS brackets at a junkyard or from one of the many good vendors/members on here. __________________ 72 Chevy C20, SOLD (Dang it.) 09 Challanger RT six speed in all black. 74 Datsun 710 wagon, all 1.8 liters of screaming Datsun power. 73 C10 long bed, 350/350 combo, nice shape.

08-26-2004, 04:23 PM	#3
GMC AMI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Other Maine! Posts: 2,236	Brackets are not the same. As 72 said, the brackets are not the same , the block holes are spaced dif. on the small block vs. the big block. If I rem. the big block holes are wider spaced and are Dif brackets. __________________ 1968 Chevy 4x4 307 4 speed

08-26-2004, 05:23 PM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	The pump housings are way different too, as well as the brackets already mentioned. The big block uses a big hose leading to a remote fluid reservoir on the fenderwell. The small block has the reservoir built into the pump itself. Attached Images __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

08-26-2004, 06:38 PM	#5
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	You can use the pump you have now with an alan grove bracket and the short waterpump...if using a long waterpump just use 73 up brackets Attached Images __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

08-26-2004, 07:53 PM	#6
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Thanks guys, just what I was looking for!

08-26-2004, 08:21 PM	#7
flip66 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Garland TX Dallas area Posts: 658	I have a 69 396 and I used the alan grove bracket works great

08-26-2004, 10:02 PM	#8
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Flip66, did u use a short or long wp? If short, how did u mount the alternator? Thanks. Scott

08-26-2004, 11:44 PM	#9
flip66 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Garland TX Dallas area Posts: 658	Pic It had the short water pump and the alternator bracket on it when I got it. The power steering box was there but someone had removed the power steering pump and bracket so I know it had one. I did not want to pay the 200.00 for the factory one so I bought the one from alan grove for 60.00 and used the pump I had. I have attached pictures

08-27-2004, 03:01 PM	#10
72C203503ONTHETREE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grant, Alabama Posts: 504	Cool, learned another thing today, I never saw an older(pre 73) big block truck so now I know the pumps are different also. __________________ 72 Chevy C20, SOLD (Dang it.) 09 Challanger RT six speed in all black. 74 Datsun 710 wagon, all 1.8 liters of screaming Datsun power. 73 C10 long bed, 350/350 combo, nice shape.

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