temporarily plugging a power steering pump - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mtdave2 · 08-12-2021, 01:19 PM

I have my project engine (2018 l96 out of an express van) set up on a run stand. I would like to find an easy way to allow me to run the motor without bypassing the pump. can the pump outlets just be plugged, fluid added, and ran? or does it have to circulate? can the lines be plumbed together if so?

LS short box · 08-12-2021, 04:44 PM

My .02 is to loop them. I think as long as the pump is turning it's putting out some level of pressure. Maybe a -6 90 degree out the pressure side looped to the return nipple?

Davidf · 08-13-2021, 09:02 AM

Sounds like a bad idea to me. By looping you will be pressurizing the return side of the pump which normally does not see high pressures.

**Grumpy old man** · 08-13-2021, 09:43 AM

How long do you plan on running it ? Just pull the belt .

mtdave2 · 08-13-2021, 10:34 AM

I would just rather plug it.. can anyone think of why not?

the engine will run for a while..dont want to mess with the belt

**clay68c10** · 08-13-2021, 12:47 PM

I'd just loop it back into the lid. It may make a mess since it's wide open and those vane pumps can move a lot of fluid when there's no restriction to the pressure.
I would zip tie it and also have a rag to keep the opening covered since it could be "splashy" in there.

LS short box · 08-13-2021, 04:36 PM

Another thought would be get a steering box that could be temporary and plumb the lines like normal. A used box even it leaks a bit.

v30crewcab · 08-13-2021, 10:08 PM

loop it. thats exactly how it flows when you're not turning the ps box.

indymachinist · 08-15-2021, 09:09 PM

You can not just plug the outlet. Do. Not. Do. That.

Either feed the outlet back into the return port, or run the engine with the belt off.

mtdave2 · 10-04-2021, 11:56 AM

just a follow-up on this.. i have started the motor and connecting the hoses together works just fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCxUIWmWNQA

kev2809 · 10-05-2021, 05:56 PM

that thing is so quiet sounds nice

**A1971Blazer** · 10-06-2021, 01:22 PM

I looped the pressure side back into the return and filled it with fluid....worked fine.
I'm using braided PS high pressure hose and stainless -AN fittings
2002 LS1

Bocephus69 · 10-10-2021, 02:19 PM

MT dave, what power steering pump did you use? The van's come with a remote mounted reservoir, correct?

mtdave2 · 10-13-2021, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bocephus69

MT dave, what power steering pump did you use? The van's come with a remote mounted reservoir, correct?

nope the motor came with it right out of the van.

08-12-2021, 01:19 PM	#1
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	temporarily plugging a power steering pump I have my project engine (2018 l96 out of an express van) set up on a run stand. I would like to find an easy way to allow me to run the motor without bypassing the pump. can the pump outlets just be plugged, fluid added, and ran? or does it have to circulate? can the lines be plumbed together if so? __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

08-12-2021, 04:44 PM	#2
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 2,136	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump My .02 is to loop them. I think as long as the pump is turning it's putting out some level of pressure. Maybe a -6 90 degree out the pressure side looped to the return nipple?

08-13-2021, 09:02 AM	#3
Davidf Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Austin Posts: 749	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump Sounds like a bad idea to me. By looping you will be pressurizing the return side of the pump which normally does not see high pressures.

08-13-2021, 09:43 AM	#4
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump How long do you plan on running it ? Just pull the belt . __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

08-13-2021, 10:34 AM	#5
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump I would just rather plug it.. can anyone think of why not? the engine will run for a while..dont want to mess with the belt __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

08-13-2021, 12:47 PM	#6
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,991	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump I'd just loop it back into the lid. It may make a mess since it's wide open and those vane pumps can move a lot of fluid when there's no restriction to the pressure. I would zip tie it and also have a rag to keep the opening covered since it could be "splashy" in there. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

08-13-2021, 04:36 PM	#7
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 2,136	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump Another thought would be get a steering box that could be temporary and plumb the lines like normal. A used box even it leaks a bit.

08-13-2021, 10:08 PM	#8
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 982	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump loop it. thats exactly how it flows when you're not turning the ps box. __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

08-15-2021, 09:09 PM	#9
indymachinist Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Indanapolis, IN Posts: 603	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump You can not just plug the outlet. Do. Not. Do. That. Either feed the outlet back into the return port, or run the engine with the belt off. __________________ -Curt My 1968 Chevy shortbed stepside build

10-04-2021, 11:56 AM	#10
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump just a follow-up on this.. i have started the motor and connecting the hoses together works just fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCxUIWmWNQA __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

10-05-2021, 05:56 PM	#11
kev2809 low n' slo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: rosenberg, texas Posts: 5,178	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump that thing is so quiet sounds nice __________________ 67 1/2 ton Suburban - Project DRGNWGN. Build thread -_--_--_ _________ _--_-_ -/____\|__\|__\__ ,.,,,.,.,,.,\|_O _______ O_]

10-06-2021, 01:22 PM	#12
A1971Blazer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 2,199	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump I looped the pressure side back into the return and filled it with fluid....worked fine. I'm using braided PS high pressure hose and stainless -AN fittings 2002 LS1 __________________ 1967 C10 Step side 1968 C10 Step side 1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer .............

10-10-2021, 02:19 PM	#13
Bocephus69 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: ND Posts: 58	Re: temporarily plugging a power steering pump MT dave, what power steering pump did you use? The van's come with a remote mounted reservoir, correct? __________________ 69 C10 fleetside long bed - 6.0/4l80E in progress



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.