PS Pump help
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
PS Pump help
is there a ps pump from another gm vehicle that will bolt in place and work on my 71 C3? I would think they were used in many applications. Surely GM did not make this pump design exclusive to the Corvette? I need one...anyone have any ideas?
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 9
From: Auburn, WA
Originally Posted by Jclgodale3
is there a ps pump from another gm vehicle that will bolt in place and work on my 71 C3? I would think they were used in many applications. Surely GM did not make this pump design exclusive to the Corvette? I need one...anyone have any ideas?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,475
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
i'm sorry i don't have one of those parts interchanger books, but my PS pump was leaking on my 79 and autozone didn't have a rebuilt one, the rebuild kit was 10.99, the other day i looked and they had the pump orderable online for about $51.99. you might try there.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Okemos MI
I believe there are some pumps that will work. I say that because I got a rebuilt pump from NAPA for my application and the low pressure hose fitting was at a different angle (no problem) I paid under $50. 
I have found out from this forum that NAPA has many parts for C3 with much more reasonable prices than the catalogues. I check at NAPA first.
John
I have found out from this forum that NAPA has many parts for C3 with much more reasonable prices than the catalogues. I check at NAPA first.
John
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
I just got one from checker auto parts. cost $53 and looks exactly like the original. I just kept my original pump instead of the $10 core.
I will rebuild mine some day, but for 63 dollars and have a rebuilt pump ready to go is well worth it.
I still need to get the send/return hoses too.
I will rebuild mine some day, but for 63 dollars and have a rebuilt pump ready to go is well worth it.
I still need to get the send/return hoses too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
This paper may be a big help to you. http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/PumpPartsR&R07JN02.doc
The Corvette steering system was designed as a relatively low pressure system (950 to 1100 psi maximum pressure). This is compared to many current GM systems that operate in the 1500 psi range. Particularly the power steering hoses are only validated for 1100 psi and will most likely leak if subjected to higher pressures.
So it is very important that you remove the discharge fitting on the back side of your original pump and also pull out the flow control plunger that is spring loaded behind the fitting. This plunger controls the maximum pressure that the pump will produce.
You want to use the fitting and plunger from your original pump and replace the fitting and plunger that come with any new pump that you might purchase. Be sure to replace the o-rings on the original discharge fitting with new ones that come with the new pump.
Good luck
The Corvette steering system was designed as a relatively low pressure system (950 to 1100 psi maximum pressure). This is compared to many current GM systems that operate in the 1500 psi range. Particularly the power steering hoses are only validated for 1100 psi and will most likely leak if subjected to higher pressures.
So it is very important that you remove the discharge fitting on the back side of your original pump and also pull out the flow control plunger that is spring loaded behind the fitting. This plunger controls the maximum pressure that the pump will produce.
You want to use the fitting and plunger from your original pump and replace the fitting and plunger that come with any new pump that you might purchase. Be sure to replace the o-rings on the original discharge fitting with new ones that come with the new pump.
Good luck
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Race Director
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Jclgodale3
is there a ps pump from another gm vehicle that will bolt in place and work on my 71 C3? I would think they were used in many applications. Surely GM did not make this pump design exclusive to the Corvette? I need one...anyone have any ideas?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
This paper may be a big help to you. http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/PumpPartsR&R07JN02.doc
The Corvette steering system was designed as a relatively low pressure system (950 to 1100 psi maximum pressure). This is compared to many current GM systems that operate in the 1500 psi range. Particularly the power steering hoses are only validated for 1100 psi and will most likely leak if subjected to higher pressures.
So it is very important that you remove the discharge fitting on the back side of your original pump and also pull out the flow control plunger that is spring loaded behind the fitting. This plunger controls the maximum pressure that the pump will produce.
You want to use the fitting and plunger from your original pump and replace the fitting and plunger that come with any new pump that you might purchase. Be sure to replace the o-rings on the original discharge fitting with new ones that come with the new pump.
Good luck
The Corvette steering system was designed as a relatively low pressure system (950 to 1100 psi maximum pressure). This is compared to many current GM systems that operate in the 1500 psi range. Particularly the power steering hoses are only validated for 1100 psi and will most likely leak if subjected to higher pressures.
So it is very important that you remove the discharge fitting on the back side of your original pump and also pull out the flow control plunger that is spring loaded behind the fitting. This plunger controls the maximum pressure that the pump will produce.
You want to use the fitting and plunger from your original pump and replace the fitting and plunger that come with any new pump that you might purchase. Be sure to replace the o-rings on the original discharge fitting with new ones that come with the new pump.
Good luck
I read your article at corvettefaq.com. Great article and very informative. Unfortunately, the pump that came on my 71 was not original. It actually had something like 83 Buick V6 written in salvage yard paint pen on the back. It worked fine but I screwed up the tank removing the engine. Originality is not a concern at this point but "functionality" is. That is why I need to know "what" pump is interchangable that will bolt right up to my original brackets and do the job as this other Buick V6 pump did...thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Originally Posted by Jclgodale3
is there a ps pump from another gm vehicle that will bolt in place and work on my 71 C3? I would think they were used in many applications. Surely GM did not make this pump design exclusive to the Corvette? I need one...anyone have any ideas?
The pump is not the problem the tank is what is special to your car.
You can get a Delco rebuilt pump without the tank and swap your tank to it. The drain lines are usually what varies from pump to pump.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
All of the Saginaw P-pump housings are machined the same and therefore will bolt up to your brackets. However, the sheetmetal reservoirs are very different. They have different return spouts and different fill neck angles.
JIM
JIM
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
All of the Saginaw P-pump housings are machined the same and therefore will bolt up to your brackets. However, the sheetmetal reservoirs are very different. They have different return spouts and different fill neck angles.
JIM
JIM
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,124
Likes: 3,927
From: Connecticut, USA
I just looked in the Corvette parts interchange manual:68-82 and it only lists #7808286 as late 69 -73 PS pump. Doesn't list any cross over to another chevy pump. Maybe a local vette shop could help, or try Brian Bair?
Gary
Gary