Hello and Help with power steering pump

[boughtnotbuilt]

My son got a deal on a '71 GMC 2500 camper special 2 wheel drive. The center tie rod was badly bent and it had sat for years so he picked it up for the same price DMV was offering to crush it.

The truck is a bit of a bastard, at some point an 80's 350 was drop in it and we really don't know much about the engine or transmission and we don't know what engine was in it originally.

The first thing we did was to convert it to fuel injection with a Holley Sniper EFI. That was a challenge, but it worked, and I can post our experience up here if that would be of use.

One of the results of the original problem with the steering is that the steering box was damaged - but still functioning, and the power steering pump is failing. Both are straight forward, but I'm really confused by the mounting bracket the power steering pump is mounted in. It has a long arm that goes from the back of the pump up to the to the block at the motor mount. I'm assuming that this is all part of the '80's motor setup, but it could also be '71 stuff (as the owner put '71 stuff on this 80's motor, like the original carburetor). Looking online, I can't find one like it. Everything I'm finding has a much shorter arm. This power steering mount bracket is a total pain in the ass. The bolt into the block at the motor mount is very difficult to access so we are stuck pulling the steering pump out.

I'm hoping someone here can recommend a better pump bracket for our setup and we can just cut this thing out. I tried to take some pictures, but it's so hard to get to where it is, none of them were of much use.

We are also going to replace the steering box, so any recommendations on that would be helpful at all.

[bigmac73]

maybe i am confused but if the old brackets worked before they should go back in with no issues, are you sure you have to the correct pump/reservoir set up should a Saginaw P style with a press on pulley (5/8) shaft diameter i think.

the only difference in a SBC chevy from last 60's to early 80's was either a long or short water pump.

if i am incorrect somebody please correct me...

[boughtnotbuilt]

My problem is I can't get the bracket out. It appears I have to lift the engine and motor mounts a little just to get at the one bolt on the bracket. That can't be right. So, I'm assuming I'm getting how it's supposed to work.

[bigmac73]

if i remember right, the last time i did this was i removed the pump assembly out of the bracket, the front bracket unbolts to the back bracket and I think there is a pivot bolt . I am going to run out to the garage and take a pic as i have my front clip off right now. one second

[boughtnotbuilt]

That would be great. I have to have to take the front clip off or jack the engine up just to take the dang power steering out.

[bigmac73]

okay i pulled out the two bracket bolts under the water pump and removed the front pivot bolt under the pulley, that will allow the front bracket to come off and remove the assembly after you do the hoses and the nuts on the back side of the pump

I never removed the motor mount bracket bolts

give it a try and see if it works

[bigmac73]

no need to remove the clip or jack up the engine, at least my bracket is a two piece

[bigmac73]

after you remove the two bolts from the next to the balancer and the one bottom of the pulley you might have to give it a wack to drop the front bracket

[Grumpy old man]

You have to remove the 3rd bolt from the back below the 2 mounting bolts to split the bracket, No need to mess with the engine mount .

[bigmac73]

oops I forgot about that one ...

[boughtnotbuilt]

Thanks guys, huge help. We'll go back out and try again.

[bigmac73]

Any luck?

[boughtnotbuilt]

Not yet, he needs it drivable for a couple of days right now. He says the horrible whining has stopped. He thinks that's good news. He doesn't realize it's probably the final sign of imminent death. Ah, to be 17 and still have hope.