power steering bracket??

[71Rat]

I am going to have a problem soon. well once my truck is running. see i put headers on my engine and now need to figure out a way to mount the power steering pump. i got a little spacer with the headers and now i just need a bolt to hold down that bracket....... but the problem is when i have the manifolds on the engine the pump was on an angle and since the engine couldnt bring many RPMs i wasnt worried about the belt coming off... now since i built the engine i am worried the belt will fly off..... someone please help me so this weekend when i go home i can get the truck running with the power steering. Thanks for the help




Rat

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I am guessing that you have a big block and you are using the factory power steering support which is hitting the header on the left side.

One suggestion would be to use the early big block power steering pumps with bracket which mounts low and to the front of the block. 65-66 Impalas would be an example of the way the pumps are mounted.

Jim

[71Rat]

nope i am running just a basic 350 with some work done to it and headers.... but i have to figure out this problem by this weekend


Thanks

Rat

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Are you running a long water pump or a short water pump?

Jim

[COBALT]

At this point since you can't really order any special brackets, or buy anything online I'd start trying to fab up something yourself. Some of the auto parts stores have spacers and stuff, but I'd think about making a bracket out of some angle iron until you can order something that looks nice. You need to marry up the pump with the bosses on the water pump and/or driver's side head. If you have a bench grinder, a good drill with an array of drill bits up to 3/8", a torch, a vise, and a 5lb hammer you can make your own bracket....

Aside from that Summit Racing has chrome spacers you can cut to size, March Performance Pulleys & Brackets has some good brackets (only they're expensive as hell), and you can try Alan Grove Components. They have power steering setups for both short and long water pumps that are cheaper than March or Zoops.

[71Rat]

thanks for the help everyone.... i gotta find something to work by this weekend


Thanks
Rat

[jmanz69]

Pics of what is wrong would be good. You shouldn't have too much trouble with the headers since they don't stick any farther forward than your manifolds did. Your pics on the website don't show a good shot of when you had the manifolds on and the power steering pump. Maybe you have the wrong bracket. Mine bolts to the front of the block and then comes around to bolt to the engine mount on the driver side. Is yours like that?

[71Rat]

sorry i wish i had some better pictures to show you on how my pump was before.... even if i could bolt it together and take a shot would be good..... the major problem is i am away at school in pa 200 miles away from the truck in nj... i am going home this weekend to hopefully finish the truck up and then bring it back out with me... i have 2 brackets one connects from the pump to the water pump the other connects like what you said to the front of the head and to the front drivers side manifold bolt.... i have both brackets but for some reason it was never in line with the lower pulley on the crank



Thanks for the help

Rat

[krazy_texan]

what do you need power steering for.

[71Rat]

krazy_texan - Thats what i was thinking, then i looked at how wide my front tires were and realized how hard it was to drive our 32 pontiac without power steering and bias tires that were an 1/4 as wide as my fronts... kinda thinking of connecting the pressure and return line untill i figure out how to mount the bracket

Rat

[jmanz69]

I had my 69 without power steering. It had 255/70/15 tires. it wasn't bad to turn while you were driving, but in a parking lot it was a little more work. Still not bad. That's why these trucks have such huge steering wheels. You get great leverage. You could run without PS until you figure out the bracket. My bracket doesn't attach to the manifold, it attaches to the motor mount. I can sell you mine since I am going to use a Serpentine belt when it goes back together. My brackets are powder coated chrome. They are for a short water pump. If you're using a long pump they won't work.

[COBALT]

Uh.....Power Steering Rocks!

I'd rather fab a bracket then remove the pump, box and pitman arm.

[71Rat]

yeah i know power steering rocks but i just want to be able to drive the truck right now... i am young and will be willing to make it non power for a little while..... allows the engine to rev easier so i can go to the track and get better times.

Thanks for the help
Rat

[krazy_texan]

oh. come on i am runnign 265/70/16s all around with a 465 trans and the truck is a flatbed and i have no problem at all, but it might be that all you guys have gotten older and produced beer guts and just gotten LAZY, heheheheh,
lol

[71Rat]

i got 255/50/15s in the front and i am not worred that much about power steering. justm would be nice to have it hooked up


Rat