TC233

I am installing power steering. The present oil pan that comes with a 340 does not allow for Power Steering. But I hate to give up a Qt of coolant. So is there any modded pan that people have used to keep the same size pan but also installed PS?

Thanks for any help in advance.

raypilot65

I've read many threads on 5 Qt. vs 6 Qt. and power steering conversions and have not seen any mention of a modded pan. I guess anything is possible, but you might lose ground clearance. I don't see any problem going with 5 Qt. unless you drive your car hard or at high RPM's. You could add an oil cooler if you are concerned and want more volume.

TC233

Does the 5Qt have a windage tray like the 6qt? I can't seem to find a supplier with a smaller pan and windage tray?

gbvette62

Chevrolet never offered power steering with the 340 horse motor, but they did offer it on 70-72 solid lifter LT-1's.

Manual steering 70-72 LT-1's, used the same 5qt pan (6qt system), as the 63 340. When PS was specified on the LT-1, they just substituted the regular 4qt pan, for the 5qt one. If it worked for the LT-1, I don't see why it wouldn't be okay with your 340.

That I know of though, the 4qt pan, never used a baffle or windage tray.

JohnZ

The 5-quart (system) pan never had a windage tray or hinged baffles, and that's what you'll need to accommodate power steering; Keen Parts has an outstanding reproduction of that pan if you can't find an original.

GUSTO14

I installed the factory LT-1 windage tray on my '73 L-48 with the stock pan and power steering, with no problems.

Good luck... GUSTO

TC233

Doing a little research...... I wonder if this is something that fits "with the 6 qt"? There are two kits, standard PS and this High performance stating it works for the 63? http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1974.html

By the way Eklers has 20% off for Ekler members for next 2 days

gbvette62

No, The difference between the standard and high performance steering kits is the pump pulley.

Low horse applications (and 350hp air cars) used a stamped steel pulley, while the high horse cars got a cast iron pulley. That is the only difference in kits! The hi-po system they (and everyone else) sell, still won't clear the big pan.

larrywalk

Instead, keep the 6 quart SHP oil pan and convert to Borgeson (Jeep) power steering. This does not require any hydraulic power cylinder or damper.

Dan Hampton

What is the diameter of your crankshaft damper?

TC233

Harmonic Balancer? 8 inch

TC233

Hmm never knew Borgeson made one like that?
Is this the one you are referring too?
http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/catalo...ng-p-1524.html
I had heard others mention Borgeson but never realize that it was this compact. I think this will do exactly what I need. I will do more investigation. I know others like Borgeson, so it will be easy to find.

Thanks again, you may have just saved me money and problems with the 5 qt pan. I think Rokndad mentioned this to me at one point but I think I must have thought it was like the stock power steering.

larrywalk

That's it!

Dan Hampton

If you are using a OEM GM PS system, I think the 8" may interfere with the PS. The 250/300 damper is smaller, I think. Perhaps someone can confirm this. I had that problem on a 350 cid engine that I replaced on my '64.

MikeM

'66 SHP Chevy II's with the 8" balancer required a special PS pump mounting bracket to clear the pump! Corvette may be the same as both carlines used a similar PS system.

TC233

Yes I believe you are right. The intent is to get the standard brackets and then offset them with sleeved bolts the necessary distance. I get the engine back from the machine shop next week and will be doing a mock up on placement. It will be a bracketing nightmare because I will have Air as well.

MikeM

The SHP bracket for the big balancer needs clearance to the balancer outer ring. If I follow what you're saying, you're trying to space the bracket forward? If you are, that won't work if the Corvette bracket is same as Chevy II.

TC233

So you think that I will not be able to duplicate this with the 8 inch balancer in place because I do not have room or offset needed? I think this is with the small balancer.

MikeM

That doesn't look like an OEM pump bracket but I can't really tell. Picture is too dark.

It's unclear to me exactly what you're trying to do with what parts so I'll just have a seat.

TC233

Thats two of us!
I think I have managed to solve one problem with the help of the board. I will use the Borgeson PS and keep the 6qt Oil pan.
Then I need to fit a PS pump and Air Cond "bracketry".

I get the 327 back next week from the machine shop and then I have to get the three working together. Not particularly concerned if the brackets come from Timbuktu and are made out of rubber, as long as they work