powersteering filler cap
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Joined: Sep 2008
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powersteering filler cap
'75....ok gurus whats going on here? The lower alternator bracket which is cast metal (non-aluminum) covers the power-steering filler cap. It is directly above the cap so that you can't take off the filler cap! Is this another engineering marvel or did someone b4 me put on a bogus alternator mount? Whaaaaaaaz-zup? OK power-steering PUMP filler cap....
Last edited by smokengunz; Feb 19, 2012 at 08:42 AM. Reason: Someone will complain if I didnt say PUMP.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
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GM blunder. I actually read in a post a few days ago that someone here figured out a part number for a slightly longer power steering belt which relocates the pump just a bit out further so the cap is easier to get to. My old habit was loosening the alternator and just swinging it out of the way since I didn't have to get into the power steering very often at all. I've also seen guys without A/C just move the alternator to the passenger side using different brackets and belt.
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My 68 427/390 is the same way. Almost impossible to get off the cap and check the fluid. I figure if you fill it, bleed it and top it off you're all set if you don't have any leaks and it isn't whining. The only other way is to cut/shorten the dipstick to allow enough clearance to pull off the cap and just look into the reservoir.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Same on my 72 BB. Spent forever going through the AIM trying to figure out what was wrong with the belts/brackets, turned out that's just the way it is.
Slightly shorter belt (or is it longer? can't remember) and lots of cursing allows for checking once a year
Mooser
Slightly shorter belt (or is it longer? can't remember) and lots of cursing allows for checking once a year
Mooser
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,446
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From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
On my 78, I can actually get the power steering cap off just barely with some houdini contorsions without removing anything BUT I cannot use the dipstick to measure the fluid level since the extreme angle to get the cap off renders the reading useless. With that said, over the last 28 years, the number of times that I have had to check the fluid is so miminal, it has not been an issue-no leaks, thank the Lord. Last year, developed a pump shaft bushing leak, and rebuilt the OEM pump myself, filled it with fluid, let the system self bleed the air with the cap off, and no issues now for about 1.5 years. I don't take the cap off unless I have to!!!
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 103
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From: Sonoma Ca.
had the same problem on my 48 ford rat, sbc, short water pump, p.s. pump lower left front block, alt bracket left front head, try longer p.s. belt Napa # XL 25 7365, anywhere between add and closer to full with warm oil will work just fine.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 103
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From: Sonoma Ca.
napa guys say belts come in shorter or longer or of what you may be running now with a 1" min. or just loosen the belt and drop it off the pulley when checking the oil.
Last edited by anips; Feb 26, 2012 at 09:59 AM.
