72 C20 Power Steering

[ItWillBeSlow]

I have researched the topic but have found mixed info and a blend of threads from C10s/C20a, different years, later model parts on earlier model trucks etc and am having a hard time keeping it straight.

Looking for some fresh opinions on the quality of remain power steering pumps and boxes and clarification on what is needed.

I am looking at new or reman parts. What is the consensus on the oreilly/autozone/advance parts? (Duralast, MasterPro,Cardone) Prices are all about the same between them.

Would like a quicker ratio if possible... is it safe to assume the reman parts are standard ratio?

Where is the best place to buy hoses? Parts house or a 67-72 specific?

Can I use my factory pitman arm?

[Dorchesters 72 C20]

You are not alone: my steering box leaks badly at the seal and I'm opting for a quick ratio, possibly from LMC. Will let you know what I find should later experiences not be available to benchmark. .

Ralph League City TX

[TCONNELLY]

I got a Lares 1075 from Rock Auto, $86.00 plus $75.00 core charge, includes rag joint. 3 1/4 turns lock to lock as opposed to 4 turns stock. Works great. It was a direct bolt on replacement for the stock power steering on my 72 c20.

[ItWillBeSlow]

Thanks guys. Any others with experience here?

[FirstOwner69]

Mine is an ACDelco re-man. I found the part number on Rock Auto , Googled it and found one for $94. I figured it was a crap shoot about the ratio, but it turned out to be the one with the quicker ratio. Seems nice and tight with no problems.

[1972BlueC20]

I just did the Power steering conversion on my 72 c20.

Used a CPP 500 quick ratio box with a saginaw boregeson pump.

Drives and steers like a dream now. Amazing difference. Just need an alignment now and I'll be set.

I reccomend a CPP 500 box or get a later model early to mid 80's C10 pump and box. I think those were quicker ratio. Just make sure you don't get one with hydro boost. The original boxes for our trucks had little road feeling.

[1972BlueC20]

I can give you part numbers for everything if you decide on a setup like I used. I had to buy the pitman arm, rag joint, box, pump, pulley, bracket and belt. Oh and new bolts to mount the box on the frame. And hoses.

[MidLifer]

I bought a reman from NAPA a few years ago and it worked fine. In fact I just pulled it and was going to list it in the Parts forum. I'm doing a LS swap and changed the gear out for a later year gear with the correct metric fittings, is why I pulled it.

Let me know if you are interested and I'll list it. Depending on where you live, though, shipping might get expensive. I'm not going to put a price in here because all that should get done in the parts for sale forum per forum rules.

Regardless of how you decide to go, I would recommend you use a filter on your return line. Especially with reman units I find it extends life significantly. Those little bits of metal can wreak havoc with seals.

[kehstr]

If you buy a factory style box, buy the 80 and up, they have less slop, and seem to hold up better and last longer than the factory ones that came with our trucks.

[MidLifer]

The 80 and up boxes also have the quicker turn ratio, but you'll need to fab up lines since they have the metric fittings (at least the one I bought does). Unless you are doing a hydroboost conversion as well...

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by MidLifer

The 80 and up boxes also have the quicker turn ratio, but you'll need to fab up lines since they have the metric fittings (at least the one I bought does). Unless you are doing a hydroboost conversion as well...

I would extremely recommend a hydroboost swap, it's the best decision that you will ever make. The brakes work 10 times better after you are done with the swap compared to the factory manual or vacuum brakes

[ItWillBeSlow]

So an 80+ box requires custom hoses because of a metric fitting on the box end? They bolt right up otherwise?

CPP looks real nice but is out of the price range unfortunately

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by ItWillBeSlow

So an 80+ box requires custom hoses because of a metric fitting on the box end? They bolt right up otherwise?

CPP looks real nice but is out of the price range unfortunately

Yes that is all correct. They might even have standard line sizes for the early 80's, but I'm not sure

[ItWillBeSlow]

Can I use my factory pitman arm?

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by ItWillBeSlow

Can I use my factory pitman arm?

As long as it is a power steering arm, then yes. Manual steering arms have a different spline count

[MidLifer]

Here is a thread that talks about adapters you can use with the newer boxes and your existing lines:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=242458

[ItWillBeSlow]

Thanks for the help midlifer. More dumb questions...

If someone is installing from scratch like myself, would it not make sense to install an 80+ model pump as well to avoid having two different fittings?

The inserts looke nice, why are there 3 in a set? Small orifice for the pressure side, big orifice on return, whats the 3rd?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291526972968...AIT&rmvSB=true

(link provided by firstowner69 in that thread) Anyone used those? The company that made the first ones, Lee manufacturing, appears to be no longer around. The Weatherhead brand conversion fittings are $21 each at napa...

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by ItWillBeSlow

Thanks for the help midlifer. More dumb questions...

If someone is installing from scratch like myself, would it not make sense to install an 80+ model pump as well to avoid having two different fittings?

If you are installing from scratch, then you could just put the factory 80+ style fittings on the lines you make. Then if you don't have a powersteering pump, you could get a pump and all of the brackets off of the same truck that you get powersteering box. Correct me if i'm wrong, but i beleive the powersteering pump and brackets were the same between our trucks, clear up until they switch to 6 rib from v- belt beside the oring style fittings. Then you might as well get the lines of the same truck, that is if you get the rest of the powersteering off of it. The lines from any of these trucks should fit yours with very minor modifications.

[MidLifer]

I'm at the end of my expertise here. I haven't used those fittings myself. I bought the late 80s box to go along with the hydroboost I'm putting in my truck. Otherwise I would have kept the perfectly fine 67-72 box I had and kept $125 in my pocket between the box and the rag joint I had to buy (note that the shaft on the later box is a different size than the one in our trucks so you'll need a new rag joint as well).

Shouldn't cost you too much to have a hose shop make up lines for you or even put new ends on your existing ones if they are in good condition. Or take kehstr's advice and switch out the pump too.

Good luck with your swap!

[ItWillBeSlow]

One more question, I have a short water pump. What will this affect?

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by ItWillBeSlow

One more question, I have a short water pump. What will this affect?

that just affects the power steering pump and brackets you use to mount it

[MidLifer]

Are you adding ps to a truck that doesn't have it now? If so you need to be sure you get the right bracket for the pump so the pulley lines up. There are a lot of threads about this subject.

[ItWillBeSlow]

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Are you adding ps to a truck that doesn't have it now? If so you need to be sure you get the right bracket for the pump so the pulley lines up. There are a lot of threads about this subject.

Yes I am putting it on a manual steer truck.

I have read quite a few threads on the subject and it is difficult to filter the good and bad. Lots of mismatched parts from various trucks, years, manufacturers, etc. I am very surprised at how many different threads there are will little concise information.

I am probably going to try this bracket unless one of you guys sees a flaw with it. I am going to buy an ACdelco or Lares reman pump (for a 72) that I believe to be the same as an original Saginaw.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...60795/10002/-1

Pumps
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....031791&jsn=548
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....031791&jsn=547

At this point I just am not sure if my crank pulley has the correct number of grooves. I am assuming I only need 2, but I read on another bracket site that it usually requires a 3 groove pulley on the crank. Maybe the PS sits in the outer groove and the middle is left empty?

Sorry for the long thread and many questions. I really appreciate the help.

[MidLifer]

These guys may be able to help:

http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by ItWillBeSlow

At this point, I just am not sure if my crank pulley has the correct number of grooves. I am assuming I only need 2, but I read on another bracket site that it usually requires a 3 groove pulley on the crank. Maybe the PS sits in the outer groove and the middle is left empty?

Sorry for the long thread and many questions. I really appreciate the help.

I know that on a factory long water pump, the second pulley groove is for power steering, and the third is for AC, but I'm not completely sure on a short water pump. Now I'm out of my area of knowledge...