Upgrading to P/S in a '60 GMC V-6

[jbgroby]

I want to upgrade to P/S on my truck. I have the frame exposed and have printed the Classic Trucks article on how to do it but I'm confused on a few things. http://www.classicperform.com/power6066.htm

I understand I need to purchase 1969-'87 2wd, Chevy truck power steering gearbox and pitman arm. But what type or model of pump do I look for. Also I will need to buy the frame plate that a lot of truck outfitters sell.


I have the oem unit but everyone tells me to upgrade to a more modern unit because after I get through buying new high pressur hoses and fittings it would have been cheaper to upgrade, I don't know what way to go, any thought on this? I have the 305 V-6 and will need to use the OEM brakets I have. I also have the upper and lower 2 groove pulley set so I'm OK on that end.

Has anybody who lives close by done this yet I'd love to get some one on one pointers. Maybe I can stop by your place?

Thanks
Jake

[Captainfab]

What I recommend for a power steering pump is get one that is close to the same year that the steering box is. This is mainly because of the style of fittings for the hoses. The early pumps and boxes used a double flare style fitting. Then around 1980-81 GM switched to an O-ring style fitting. The fitting on the pump can be changed and you can get adapters for the box, but it is just easier to stay with the same style on both the pump and the box. In your case it may be easier to use a very early pump ('69-'72)with the brackets you have. The later style pumps may not fit the brackets as well.

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

You're my lab rat on this one bud. I hope to do this soon but I'm sdtill young so I might just keep it for the heck of it.

[jbgroby]

O.K.

I figured out what the problem was, other than my stupidity. In the OEM shop manual they show the "old Style" power steering unit that incorporated a Power Cylinder Ram to move the Tie Rod. This was done away with in the early '60's becasue the Saginaw Power Gearbox was "invented" or adapted to be used on these trucks.

I could not for the life of me figure out how the rod/cycliner was used. I did not understand that it was done away with. I don't have those parts and will not want to use it any way!

In the 2 different articles writeen for Classic Trucks, neither one exlained about the older style, it just assumed that you did not have it.

With this explained I now understand that I need to buy or find a 1969-1987 2wd half-ton Chevy Truck Power Steering Box and matching year Pitman arm. This will attach directly to the Powere Steering Pump mounted on the V-6.

WHEW I'm glad that's over! I do a complete photo shoot and write up for our BB as well as Jolly's and others. .......Standby for News!

[padresag]

you may want the earlier style of pump that takes the woodruff key on the pulley so that your pulleys line up. the newer style pump with press on hub, the belt rides further forward
ron

[jbgroby]

With my pump, there were several space washers and a shim or two, so I may be OK. I'm going to mount the pump tonight just to see how she lines up. If all works well, I decided to have the pump checked and rebuilt if ness. The newere pumps do not have the neck in the same elipical style that was neat.

The hardest thing is deciding if I want to Junk Yard dive for the Sagainaw Steeerign Box or buy one new. The $145.00 for the gear box won't bother me, it's the $95.00 core charge for nothing that gets my goat.

Anybody got one they want to throw away? I'll trade you a good cigar!

[padresag]

if you use the pump that you showed in the pictures on Jolly's site that should be correct for your setup.
look at the s/box this way ; you are paying 235.00 for it. if they don;\'t have cores you can't get the rebuilds. just go to the scrap yard and see if you can get a clapped out one reasonable and use that for a core. or just look for a good used one and if it fails then you have a core
ron

[duallyjams]

I'm waiting to see the write up also.

[jbgroby]

For lunch today I drove by the new “Pull-A-Part” yard in Harvey, next to the Harvey Canal. It just opened after Katrina. First, I want to say this has got to be the neatest and best kept parts junk yard I’ve ever seen. All the cars and trucks are grouped together by brand. There are sections for GM, Ford, Dodge/Chrysler and import, etc. All are set up where you can easily get 2-3 people around them without fighting for space. All of them are at least 1-2 feet off the ground sitting safely on rims that won’t shift. The yard is white lime stone and CLEAN no oil or grease issues. Each vehicle had a white sticker in it that states the year of manufacture, so you won’t waste time looking at the wrong thing. They provide wheel barrows for you to haul your parts in, placement bins for your core exchanges. A counter work area so you can clean up your parts on site. A wash up area with both hot and cold water with degreaser for your hands. If you just want to look around, it will cost you $1.00 but you feel like a kid in a candy store.

The counter has several CPU’s that are touch screen driven and you can search for either the vehicle by year, really cool. The parts prices are listed on the main screen. A power steering gear box with Pitman arm is $39.99 or $45.00 with a warranty (even exchange if the parts breaks)

I went through the yard and found not one, but 5 Saginaw power boxes, for the years 72-86. Beginning in 1987, the gearbox was moved to the inside of the frame rail and reversed, so that’s why you must find a 1967-1986 box. 3 had the steering column still attached, 2 had the pumps still attached and 2 were standing all by themselves. Most of the trucks were missing the outer fender and well as the inner fender, so the gear boxes are right there in your face.

I’m taking off a half day tomorrow and will pull 2 of the boxes. I’m pulling another one for a friend who wants the upgrade also. That will leave 3. I can if truly needed will go back and pull more but I would like payment in advance, we can deal with the shipping later. A decent Cigar will also be needed.

Send me a PM
Jake

[jbgroby]

I also started a Webshots picture album on the switch over.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/571837084bSxNPf
_________________________

[jbgroby]

Hi all,

I went to the Pull-A-Part Yard today and got two Saginaw gear Boxes. One from a 1974 Chevy and one from a 1983 Chevy, both have the pitman arms intack. Total damage was only $66.00. I have a ton of pictures from the yard , but can't post them till Monday. YOu are not going to believe the condition of these type of parts yards.

Jake

Main Site
http://www.pullapart.com/

Locations
http://www.pullapart.com/Locations/L...?locationId=14

Prices
http://www.pullapart.com/Pricing/Mai...c=14#pricelist

[Corts60]

Killer score Jake!

[Matt's k5]

hey i see you are installing power steering using a 67 pump and brackets i did the same with my 62 gmc my belt lines up but if you look at it from the top down the pump looks crooked but from th bottom up it is straight i have about 100 miles and a year ago since install works great i think it just looks that way i cannot get it to look straight but it works, i used the cpp kit worked great, i know they have one for 60-62 63-66 because the frame are differnt cpp was the only place had two options the funny thing is when i pulled my gear box from pic-a-part the truck was also a 74 and the same color there were a dozen there but picked the cleanest one if need any help or pics let me know it is more of a job on your back with the body still in place looks like you have plenty of room, later matt

[Tx Firefighter]

There is a guy parting out a truck on the 67-72 parts board right now that has the V6 and power steering pump and brackets on it still. Looks like good clean stuff too.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=343505

[jbgroby]

I put some more pictures on webshots on the change over. The REZ kit is a breeze to work with however those of us with the 60-62 GMC frames will need to buy longer 1/2" x 4 1/2" grade 5 or better bolts. Also you will need to slightly notch your frame for the upper bolts or simply put a weld a stuff to the upper hole. as per the first page of the instruction manual.

Jake

[duallyjams]

Where did you get the p/s bracket and pulleys?

[jbgroby]

From another 60-66 member about 2 years ago. I just located another bracket and Pump with pulley. If you need it I can let it go your way for exact cost. Contact me off BB at jbgroby@charter.net and maybe there something we can trade?

Jake

[jbgroby]

In the picture you will notice that the plate already comes with a stud welded in place this serves as one of the 4 studs/bolts that will hold on the new Saginaw Power Gear Box.

Also, you will notice that the lower right hole only partially lines up with the existing factory hole. You will need to drill out the hole to accept the new bolt, that comes from the inside of the frame.

On the top right corner, you will notice that the plate protrude past the frame, this is covered in the directions. You will need to either notch your frame in order to be able to put a bolt through both holes or you could simply put a stud through the hole and well it up a bit. I have not made up my mind which way I'm going yet. (I'm leaning towards welding a stud because there will be 3 other strong bolt locations for strength.)

If you notice there is one hole on the plate between the two bolts already in posistion. Using this hole as a guide, drill through the frame and incert a bolt from the inside of the frame.

When you are finished you should have 4 bolts sticking out so the Saginaw Unit can be bolted on the frame using lock nuts and washers. The 2 bolts which are in the pictures remain facing inward.

On the new Saginaw box you will need to drill out the lower front hole so it can slip over the 7/16" bolt protruding from the adaptor plate.

In the kit your were given 4 bushings, place one on each bolt and and then put on the gear box. And you are ready to go. Following the instr, for the rest of the modification on the steering column.

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

From another 60-66 member about 2 years ago. I just located another bracket and Pump with pulley. If you need it I can let it go your way for exact cost. Contact me off BB at jbgroby@charter.net and maybe there something we can trade?

Jake

email sent

[jbgroby]

OK Here is an update.

After looking, measuring, and dry fitting the REZ adaptor. I'm very uncomfortable "notching" the top of my frame in order to make the last upper right bolt fit. I contacted CPP and explained with pictures what I was concerned about, Mr. Mike in tech, got right back with me and explaing that their 60-62 kit was designed to fit the 60-62 chevy GMC frame, with the slightly different curved frame, with no frame modification. I'm ordering the kit today.

NOW I've already dropped $79.99 ($69.99 + $10.00 shipping) into the REZ kit, the kit will work fine for a 63-66 frame with no modification. However, they do not tell you in advance that you need to notch your frame. I can do it, I just choose not to.

So IF anybody wants/needs a complete REZ power steering adaptor plate kit. I'll let it go for $50.00+5.00 for shipping. First come, First Served. I hate losing money on the deal, but it will do me no good. and I hate cluterin gup the parts box. I also have a 67-85 Saginaw Power Steering gear box.

jbgroby@charter.net

I'm not too upset, just aggrevated I wasted a week on this issue.

[Corts60]

Well at least you'll have the proper kit on there now......

It'll give you a little better peace of mind.

[jbgroby]

If REZ understand that the modification need to notch the frame, they shoud be up front with it. Keeps folks from loseing shipping twice if returned, which I'm not going to do. I'm not mad at REZ just very pickey what I do the truck. Cutting the frame for no reason, seems silly. REZ shoud make a kit like CPP.

[Matt's k5]

I agree i would not cut my frame up either, the cpp kit was great only one bolt was to long had to trim about a 1/2 inch off to clear the radatior and the instructions were a little bit confusing if i remeber right i will take pics later today and post tonight later matt

mattbiggins@yahoo.com

[jbgroby]

Thanks Matt,

I appr. it. any tips you got I'll take. The more I think on the REZ kit deal the more frustrated I get. As I said before it not so much a issue of money, I know I'll sell the kit to someone, but it's the time wasted that craps me out. I actually spoke to the owner and explained what year I had. If he would have told me in advance I would have decided then. A lot of folks seem to give REZ high regaurd, but I suoopse they were the 63-66 trucks.

Jake

[Matt's k5]

here you go jbgroby Hope these pics help in the 3rd pic it shows a hole i drilled wrong bottom looking up so ignore that hole. here to help if you need any more pics or specs let me know later matt