Power steering pump question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Power steering pump question
Hi everyone,
I installed my new power steering in my 1970. I currently have a 1972 alternator bracket installed so I can use Dynomax headers (1970 bracket attached to the factory exhaust manifolds...and wouldn't work.) My question is... Once the pump is installed into the pump bracket, the cap sits directly under the alternator bracket. I can't take the pump cap off... it hits the bottom of the bracket. No matter which way I slide the pump (side to side)... the cap hits the bracket and can't be removed. How the heck can I check the fluid? Do I have the wrong brackets for p/s? The pump is a 76> pump. Is the 1970 pump shorter to allow the cap to be removed? I was thinking of "clearancing" the alternator bracket by removing a "half moon" of metal... Any ideas folks? Thanks
Maybe someone could post pics of their 1972 with p/s????
Just to clarify... when I say the cap hits the bracket I mean the cap unscrews fine, but there is only about 2 inches of room to remove the cap. When I lift the cap up and out... it hits the bracket and can't be removed....
I installed my new power steering in my 1970. I currently have a 1972 alternator bracket installed so I can use Dynomax headers (1970 bracket attached to the factory exhaust manifolds...and wouldn't work.) My question is... Once the pump is installed into the pump bracket, the cap sits directly under the alternator bracket. I can't take the pump cap off... it hits the bottom of the bracket. No matter which way I slide the pump (side to side)... the cap hits the bracket and can't be removed. How the heck can I check the fluid? Do I have the wrong brackets for p/s? The pump is a 76> pump. Is the 1970 pump shorter to allow the cap to be removed? I was thinking of "clearancing" the alternator bracket by removing a "half moon" of metal... Any ideas folks? Thanks
Maybe someone could post pics of their 1972 with p/s????
Just to clarify... when I say the cap hits the bracket I mean the cap unscrews fine, but there is only about 2 inches of room to remove the cap. When I lift the cap up and out... it hits the bracket and can't be removed....
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Wouldn't it be simpler to just move the alternator to the passengers side?? Do you have air that is preventing that??
Stock my alternator buried the power steering pump so I move it. Other then lengthening the wires it was not a problem.
Another alternative is a aftermarket pump with a remote resovoir.
Stock my alternator buried the power steering pump so I move it. Other then lengthening the wires it was not a problem.
Another alternative is a aftermarket pump with a remote resovoir.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
Wouldn't it be simpler to just move the alternator to the passengers side?? Do you have air that is preventing that??
Stock my alternator buried the power steering pump so I move it. Other then lengthening the wires it was not a problem.
Another alternative is a aftermarket pump with a remote resovoir.
Stock my alternator buried the power steering pump so I move it. Other then lengthening the wires it was not a problem.
Another alternative is a aftermarket pump with a remote resovoir.
Unfortunately, I do have air conditioning. Do you think it would be bad if I just removed some material from the alt bracket? Would I weaken the bracket too much? I am thinking no b/c the only pressure on the bracket is the fan belt tension and the weight of the alternator ... which is really supported by the back side of the bracket that is bolted to the head in two places....
Aftermarket pump sounds good... but I would like to stay close to stock.. NOT NCRS of course, but clean install. How big is the remote resevoir?
Last edited by Mr.Gearhead; Jul 8, 2005 at 11:22 AM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 520
Likes: 5
From: Front Range
have you considered running a longer v-belt to the P/S pump so you can move it outward towards the frame, given there's enough clearance?
I had similar issues running an aftermarket March alt. bracket with a zoops adjustable P/S bracket.
if that doesn't work, then I'd say yeah, go ahead and notch the alt bracket if it looks like it won't affect the structural integrity.
good luck
tbw
I had similar issues running an aftermarket March alt. bracket with a zoops adjustable P/S bracket.
if that doesn't work, then I'd say yeah, go ahead and notch the alt bracket if it looks like it won't affect the structural integrity.
good luck
tbw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Yup - My 75 is the same too. Zero clearance.
In fact, when squeezing the cap under the alt bracket, I'm
sure the plastic part of the cap is flexing a bit to allow
removal/replacement. Hopefully, you won't have to take the cap
on and off too many times.
In fact, when squeezing the cap under the alt bracket, I'm
sure the plastic part of the cap is flexing a bit to allow
removal/replacement. Hopefully, you won't have to take the cap
on and off too many times.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
THANKS GUYS!
How do you check fluid if you cut the dipstick?
Great Pic with longer belt.. but my problem is with the bracket that is stationary. BUt this does give me an idea... maybe a longer P/S pump belt to move it out some??? hmmmm....
How did Chevy design something like this... it seems very easy to see this is a problem?
How do you check fluid if you cut the dipstick?
Great Pic with longer belt.. but my problem is with the bracket that is stationary. BUt this does give me an idea... maybe a longer P/S pump belt to move it out some??? hmmmm....
How did Chevy design something like this... it seems very easy to see this is a problem?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,696
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I've seen a cut dipstick work in two fairly clever ways depending on how bad the obstruction is. Matt's suggestion works in th worst cases:
[QUOTE=Matt Gruber]
i use a dip wire.
Also, you can cut the dipstick at the "Low, Add fluid" mark. This will get you a little more clearance, and if the level is below this, you need to add fluid in any case.
[QUOTE=Matt Gruber]
Originally Posted by rihwoods
i use a dip wire.
