Power steering pump differences

[Steve Cole]

Does anyone know what the differences are between the late sixties and the late eighties pumps ? Not the cosmetics, I know the later pumps had metric threads and used O rings for sealing, but do the later pumps work any better? Are they smoother? Any advantage to running a later pump? I'm talking about pumps with reservoir attached. Thanks!!

[Tinkermc]

in 73 I think it was the ps pumps went to 3.5 turns lock to lock and b-4 that it was 4.5 so newer pumps seem like sports car handling.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

in 73 I think it was the ps pumps went to 3.5 turns lock to lock and b-4 that it was 4.5 so newer pumps seem like sports car handling.

That's the steering gear, not the pump.

[Steve Cole]

So then, are the pumps basically the same?

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

So then, are the pumps basically the same?

Yes. Mounting brackets and internal seals changed but pressures and flow volume are about the same.

[chewychevy67]

not sure exactly when the change was but the later pumps have a press on pulley shaft and the 60's era were mounted with a keyway and a nut.

[Sammy]

Pulley n bracket mounting could be a nightmare unless you switch to a complete setup. I have never tried it. But have in a complete serpentine. Noticed no difference in performance of the pump itself.

[hugger6933]

Except the press on and nut on shaft type[don't know what to call it but that don't sound right]there is very little diff. The shaft that has the nut is a tiny bit smaller so that a press on type pulley can't be used on that kind of pump. Jim

[hugger6933]

their whole thing is just to push fluid with pressure and do it for a long time

[ray_mcavoy]

I believe 1974 was the last year for the keyed shaft/pulley with a retainer nut.