)
power steering pump
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 140
Likes: 19
power steering pump
Hello, looking for some input on a 1978 corvette fan belt system. Acording to the specs the inner pulley or pulley number 1 is for alternator, 2 for ac, and 3 for power steering....is that correct? Also, the PS pump is a saginaw i believe, threaded shaft, and it seems setting the pump all the way out to make belts look perfect is extremely close to front cross member, and it appear the altwlernator belt willnrub on PS pump housing...ive been trying to use puller number 2 for alternator(ac not on car) by shimming the Alt mounts out further. It would seem that using a smaller pulley on. PS pump would allow better clearance, and if possible offset the PS pulley to allow ALT to return to pulley 1...is it possible the pullry is wrong on the pump? I belive its original. The sure cure would likely just be a different offset on PS pump but it would also need to be slightly smaller...something doesnt seem right...
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 103
Likes: 5
From: Barnstble Mass.
The pic are of a 1979
After water pump replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 140
Likes: 19
I actually shimmed mine out two washers thick to make it ride on the pulley straighter. But in doing so if alternator runds on first pulley its going to rub on PS pump housing. Every single gm car or truck ive owned i had to make adjustments to get belts to run straight. Im thinking someone may have damaged/bent the PS pulley on mine. I had to straighten it slightly, but now im wondering if they bent it beofre i got it and had straigthened it the wrong way...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Sorry, but I think your method of determining 'alignment' may be off. If it is by "eyeball", the simple aspect of 'perspective' might be throwing you off. My suggestion is to remove the [unneeded] washers and see how it works. From your photos, I think it will be OK. If there is some kind of interference, see if shortening or lengthening the P/S belt a bit might solve that issue. With the correct belt, the P/S pump should be on the tight-side of center position. (A new belt will stretch a bit upon use; and that will require a re-tightening of the belt after a week or so. Then the adjustment should be near the center position.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 103
Likes: 5
From: Barnstble Mass.
The photos in question, are not of the OP. The photos, are from my 79, which I posted to confirm his question as to belt configuration (post#1). In regards to "Looks like it's sticking out 1/8" to far" there are no shims, it is an original set-up it may be camera angle making it look as such, have never had a problem. Just trying to clarify what's what here
Thanks Brian 79
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
The OP says he has a threaded shaft on the ps pump, 74 should have been the last year for that pump. Yours should look just like the pictures above.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 140
Likes: 19
Yes i believe the pump was changed, although i have the correct mounting hardware installed for my 78, maybe someone swapped pump and used original hardware. Im not 100 percent sure what has been done. Doesnt really make sence to have an early saginaw pump on a 78 does it?? I should mention also, car is a silver anniversary edition, so maybe they came with that style pump.
Last edited by san; Nov 12, 2017 at 10:28 AM.