6cyl Power Steering questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Desert Rat** · 11-09-2005, 11:36 PM

Hi everyone. I was hoping someone could inform me on exactly what years of 6cyl power steering pumps and brackets will work on our trucks. I picked up a 69 with a 250 with a rebuilt motor and plan to leave it this way for a while until funds are available. Any idea what years will work? other applications like Chevelle, Nova, Impala. I have never messed with a 6cyl before any suggestions? Im sure this will be a tough one to find a/c brackets will be even harder, atleast it has a 3.73 posi!

**passthebuck** · 11-10-2005, 12:19 AM

I got a pump/bracket setup off of a 79 impala & it fit fine. Get the pump/bracket, the dual groove waterpump pulley, the belts & the hoses. I installed a ps setup a week ago & the only hitch was that I had to redrill the holes in the pulley to a different pattern but this was no big deal because the pulley is located off of the pump shaft & the bolts merely hold it inplace. I think the big thing to avoid is the integrated-head sixes like the plague! you'll know them by fact that the intake & head are cast together as one piece. the carb looks like a twobarrel or something. the only thing they are good for is their hei distributors. no brackets work from them. as for AC, bracket setups are rare & since the compressor sits JUST above a points distributor, it will not work with an hei because they are too tall

shifty · 11-10-2005, 12:35 AM

weren't the integrated head inlines mostly a mexico-only deal? i guess you'd need to watch out for that in AZ, but i'm just curious for clarification's sake...

**passthebuck** · 11-10-2005, 12:54 AM

there are a pile of integrated head L6's around here. i've seen them mostly in trucks & vans.

shifty · 11-10-2005, 02:18 AM

Ok, so maybe it was a Canada/Mexico thing.

I dunno why I have Mexico stuck in my head. It's possible all the integrated head engines were just manufactured there, but distributed worldwide or something. I don't usually get stuff stuck in my head like that for no reason.

I just usually can't figure it out!

**Palf70Step** · 11-10-2005, 02:11 PM

Micah....as long as you get the stuff from a non integrated head 230/250, it doenot matter what vehicle it came from. The 292 I think the brackets are a bit different because of the differences in deck height. Most of your 250s installed after 79/80 time frame are the integrated heads. Shifty they were originally designed for Mexico (and made there) but integrated with US during the heavy Tree hugger years of the .80s

**Desert Rat** · 11-10-2005, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the response. The manjual steering box is junk and I hate to bolt a manual back on. I'm thinking 6cyl 4 spd, ps, pb, ac, tach, tilt. LOL.

Botietruck · 11-10-2005, 10:52 PM

A few pics of mine

**PICKMUP** · 11-11-2005, 12:15 AM

Watch the spacing on the grooves on the pulleys. Most later 73+ inline sixes had wider spacing between belts. Look for all pulleys having the same spacing as your current crank balancer (you need two grooves on the crank for ps). You can sometimes use all of the pulleys, incl crank, and make the later system work...if you change everything. Good luck. I need one too.

**Desert Rat** · 11-12-2005, 10:24 AM

I found one yesterday on a 77 Nova. I noticed the water pump pulley had more spacing, but I thought maybe I could change the pulley on the ps pump? I bought the pump and brackets for $20 and he wanted $25 for the water pump pulley. go figure? I don't have the extra cash to blow on a $25 pulley, but I suppose I will be going back for it next payday-LOL. I also bought a ps box for $25. I should have spent the $25 and put a manual box back on it for now from the first of 5 wrecking yards I went to. Bought 5 ralleys at $5 a piece.

**Desert Rat** · 11-12-2005, 10:27 AM

botietruck- that is one sweet 6cyl and frame! I hope I can find those A/C brackets! I'm sure someone here in Arizona with a 6 had air.

**Palf70Step** · 11-12-2005, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert Rat

botietruck- that is one sweet 6cyl and frame! I hope I can find those A/C brackets! I'm sure someone here in Arizona with a 6 had air.

His engine is beautiful, but just in case you didn't know the AC won't fit if you are running an HEI distributor.

Lgriffin · 11-12-2005, 11:06 AM

An early 74-76 HEI with the separate coil will fit.
Larry

**Palf70Step** · 11-12-2005, 11:11 AM

Cool. I did not know that.

**Desert Rat** · 11-12-2005, 12:23 PM

I will certainly relieve it of it's HEI to keep cool in the summer.

Botietruck · 11-12-2005, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the comments.

I switched my to the Pertronix system.

Americanrider · 11-12-2005, 02:14 PM

Good 6 cly info..... one of you guys should write up a post for the FAQ's.

**PICKMUP** · 11-12-2005, 11:35 PM

Hey Micah,
I got mine today from a Nova guy. It is the correct early small round can. You will probably need a double wp and a double alt pulley. If you get the same/correct set the alt belt is going to move to the outside and ps will run on the inside (where your alt is currently running). That little switch has fooled too many guys.
The assembly manual shows the setup, however poorly.
I will post pics of this setup before and after...got to blast & paint first.
It is identical to this one.

**PICKMUP** · 11-15-2005, 10:03 PM

Micah, how's it going?
Here is the before...
and here is the after. OK, I am not doing so good on the after...been a little busy detailing inside cab & under hood. Maybe later this week. Going to use the later variable/quick ratio box with the bigger stock steering wheel.
I think small wheels & quick ratio can be a little too much and a little radical. The stock ratio box seems to feel better with the small wheels.

moodybo · 11-15-2005, 11:41 PM

I installed a integral head power streering bracket on a non integral head last week. I will get some pictures of the work tommorow. It is not proffesional but it works!

Canadian72GMC · 11-16-2005, 09:12 AM

pictures would be great. I may have to do the same thing.

nvrforgotten52 · 01-13-2007, 08:48 PM

does anyone have anymore information on this stuff... its really hard to find brackets that will work on the L6...

ThatOneBlue67 · 01-14-2007, 04:02 AM

Man Iremember adding power steering onto my 250. I got so fed up of looking for a power steering pump bracket that my dad and I ended up making one out of aboutthree diferent types. It looked rediculous, but that belt never slipped. Same pump as what the guy up there is using too.

Those 'seperate coil' HEI distributors can be found on Chevy/Pontiac cars of the late seventies. I remember seeing one on a car called the Pontiac Ventura. You may even find A/C brackets on these engines that fit, but don't take my word for it. I sold the inline 6 and dropped in a V8. Hard to conform, but well worth it.

11-09-2005, 11:36 PM	#1
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	6cyl Power Steering questions Hi everyone. I was hoping someone could inform me on exactly what years of 6cyl power steering pumps and brackets will work on our trucks. I picked up a 69 with a 250 with a rebuilt motor and plan to leave it this way for a while until funds are available. Any idea what years will work? other applications like Chevelle, Nova, Impala. I have never messed with a 6cyl before any suggestions? Im sure this will be a tough one to find a/c brackets will be even harder, atleast it has a 3.73 posi!

11-10-2005, 12:19 AM	#2
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions I got a pump/bracket setup off of a 79 impala & it fit fine. Get the pump/bracket, the dual groove waterpump pulley, the belts & the hoses. I installed a ps setup a week ago & the only hitch was that I had to redrill the holes in the pulley to a different pattern but this was no big deal because the pulley is located off of the pump shaft & the bolts merely hold it inplace. I think the big thing to avoid is the integrated-head sixes like the plague! you'll know them by fact that the intake & head are cast together as one piece. the carb looks like a twobarrel or something. the only thing they are good for is their hei distributors. no brackets work from them. as for AC, bracket setups are rare & since the compressor sits JUST above a points distributor, it will not work with an hei because they are too tall __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car Last edited by passthebuck; 11-10-2005 at 12:26 AM.

11-10-2005, 12:35 AM	#3
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions weren't the integrated head inlines mostly a mexico-only deal? i guess you'd need to watch out for that in AZ, but i'm just curious for clarification's sake... __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

11-10-2005, 12:54 AM	#4
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions there are a pile of integrated head L6's around here. i've seen them mostly in trucks & vans. __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

11-10-2005, 02:18 AM	#5
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Ok, so maybe it was a Canada/Mexico thing. I dunno why I have Mexico stuck in my head. It's possible all the integrated head engines were just manufactured there, but distributed worldwide or something. I don't usually get stuff stuck in my head like that for no reason. I just usually can't figure it out! __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

11-10-2005, 02:11 PM	#6
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Micah....as long as you get the stuff from a non integrated head 230/250, it doenot matter what vehicle it came from. The 292 I think the brackets are a bit different because of the differences in deck height. Most of your 250s installed after 79/80 time frame are the integrated heads. Shifty they were originally designed for Mexico (and made there) but integrated with US during the heavy Tree hugger years of the .80s __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 11-10-2005 at 02:16 PM.

11-10-2005, 10:26 PM	#7
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Thanks for the response. The manjual steering box is junk and I hate to bolt a manual back on. I'm thinking 6cyl 4 spd, ps, pb, ac, tach, tilt. LOL.

11-10-2005, 10:52 PM	#8
Botietruck '71 chevy s.bed/s.side Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,571	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions A few pics of mine __________________ STILL PLAYS WITH CARS...AND TRUCKS!! Parents! Be good to your kids...they get to choose your nursing home! 250 I-6 with a 3 speed Saginaw and Borg Warner Overdrive...She's got overdrive!

11-11-2005, 12:15 AM	#9
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,158	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Watch the spacing on the grooves on the pulleys. Most later 73+ inline sixes had wider spacing between belts. Look for all pulleys having the same spacing as your current crank balancer (you need two grooves on the crank for ps). You can sometimes use all of the pulleys, incl crank, and make the later system work...if you change everything. Good luck. I need one too.

11-12-2005, 10:24 AM	#10
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions I found one yesterday on a 77 Nova. I noticed the water pump pulley had more spacing, but I thought maybe I could change the pulley on the ps pump? I bought the pump and brackets for $20 and he wanted $25 for the water pump pulley. go figure? I don't have the extra cash to blow on a $25 pulley, but I suppose I will be going back for it next payday-LOL. I also bought a ps box for $25. I should have spent the $25 and put a manual box back on it for now from the first of 5 wrecking yards I went to. Bought 5 ralleys at $5 a piece.

11-12-2005, 10:27 AM	#11
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions botietruck- that is one sweet 6cyl and frame! I hope I can find those A/C brackets! I'm sure someone here in Arizona with a 6 had air.

11-12-2005, 11:06 AM	#13
Lgriffin Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oakdale, CA Posts: 101	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions An early 74-76 HEI with the separate coil will fit. Larry

11-12-2005, 11:11 AM	#14
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Cool. I did not know that. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-12-2005, 12:23 PM	#15
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions I will certainly relieve it of it's HEI to keep cool in the summer.

11-12-2005, 01:52 PM	#16
Botietruck '71 chevy s.bed/s.side Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,571	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Thanks for the comments. I switched my to the Pertronix system. __________________ STILL PLAYS WITH CARS...AND TRUCKS!! Parents! Be good to your kids...they get to choose your nursing home! 250 I-6 with a 3 speed Saginaw and Borg Warner Overdrive...She's got overdrive!



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11-12-2005, 02:14 PM	#17
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Good 6 cly info..... one of you guys should write up a post for the FAQ's.

11-12-2005, 11:35 PM	#18
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,158	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Hey Micah, I got mine today from a Nova guy. It is the correct early small round can. You will probably need a double wp and a double alt pulley. If you get the same/correct set the alt belt is going to move to the outside and ps will run on the inside (where your alt is currently running). That little switch has fooled too many guys. The assembly manual shows the setup, however poorly. I will post pics of this setup before and after...got to blast & paint first. It is identical to this one. Attached Images Last edited by PICKMUP; 11-12-2005 at 11:51 PM.

11-15-2005, 10:03 PM	#19
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,158	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Micah, how's it going? Here is the before... and here is the after. OK, I am not doing so good on the after...been a little busy detailing inside cab & under hood. Maybe later this week. Going to use the later variable/quick ratio box with the bigger stock steering wheel. I think small wheels & quick ratio can be a little too much and a little radical. The stock ratio box seems to feel better with the small wheels. Attached Images

11-15-2005, 11:41 PM	#20
moodybo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 261	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions I installed a integral head power streering bracket on a non integral head last week. I will get some pictures of the work tommorow. It is not proffesional but it works!

11-16-2005, 09:12 AM	#21
Canadian72GMC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north battleford, sk Posts: 30	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions pictures would be great. I may have to do the same thing.

01-13-2007, 08:48 PM	#22
nvrforgotten52 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Morro Bay C.A Posts: 179	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions does anyone have anymore information on this stuff... its really hard to find brackets that will work on the L6... __________________ '69 C10 SWB 350 edelbrock int/carb .420 .442 cam 700r4 70 lwb c10 work truck 250 I6 with two inch lift springs and a two inch bodylift and 33/12.5s

01-14-2007, 04:02 AM	#23
ThatOneBlue67 I survived Dead Man's Curve. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Nine-Five-687 Posts: 389	Re: 6cyl Power Steering questions Man Iremember adding power steering onto my 250. I got so fed up of looking for a power steering pump bracket that my dad and I ended up making one out of aboutthree diferent types. It looked rediculous, but that belt never slipped. Same pump as what the guy up there is using too. Those 'seperate coil' HEI distributors can be found on Chevy/Pontiac cars of the late seventies. I remember seeing one on a car called the Pontiac Ventura. You may even find A/C brackets on these engines that fit, but don't take my word for it. I sold the inline 6 and dropped in a V8. Hard to conform, but well worth it. __________________ "The people should not be afraid of their government. The government should be afraid of it's people." "The Hurricane" 1967 Chevrolet C10 350 Eight Cylinder, 700R4 BowtieOverdrive *Cherry Bomb...* Disturbing the Peace Since 1968.

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