I've finished the P.S. conversion on my 69 big block and thought I'd offer up a few details for those thinking of adding power steering. Borgeson doesn't offer a "kit" but will bundle up the 6 parts you need as a package. Pump, box, rag joint, pulley, hoses and alternator brackets. The bad news is there is not a clue of directions. While some parts/applications are intuitive others, particularly the brackets are, a puzzler. After a full afternoon of trying to figure what went where I called Borgeson and they scanned an assembly drawing for me. I NEVER would have figured it out. Why they don't tuck one in the parts box is beyond me. Another full afternoon was wasted trying to free the pit man arm. I finally cloned the puller illustrated in the shop manual. With it and an impact wrench the arm broke free. Most of the parts, though repro's, fit well. The exception was the alternator bracket belt tensioning slot. It was off by 3/16". I was able to widen the slot but I had to weld a piece on the bracket before widening or the widened slot would have broken out of the bracket. The mounting studs on the pump are actually 5/16-18 socket head set screws with a thin lock nut. They were too short to get adequate nuts on them to secure the pump in it's bracket. It took awhile before I realized I could back them out to increase their length. Again a simple instruction would have saved much time and hassle. The pulley alignments were a puzzler until I realized that with a couple of lathe made spacers, 1/2" and 9/16", I could get all the belts to line up. I'm not sure what is "correct" but my upper pulley has 3 grooves. The inner has a belt to the crank. The center groove i ran a belt that catches the crank and drives the inner groove on the pump. The alt. is driven by a belt from the outer pump pulley groove.
I did a test drive today. No leaks and the steering is responsive and near effortless. My wife will love it.
One thing I noticed that I haven't addressed yet it is looks like the second plug
on the left head is going to be a real problem to remove. I may have to fabricate a special wrench.
All in all Borgeson puts out a good product but like all repro stuff it will need a bit of massaging. When I called them for assistance they took the time to help.
I will say the project is not for the faint of heart or mechanically challenged. It is NOT a simple "bolt in" project. Without a lathe,welder and an assortment of air tools it would have been a whole lot more of a challenge. I can't imagine doing it without a lift.
Thanks for the help and advise you guys provided. It's appreciated...........Bob

 

I am hoping the small block will be an easier install.

 

I would never say It's an easy bolt in but it is a little easier on a small block car. Definitely a PITA with side pipes.

 

I'm certain I could do the job in maybe 1/3 the time now that I've done it. A few pages of instructions or clues would have helped a lot rather than a box of parts that made no intuitive sense what ever........................Bob

 

you're not alone. I also had to cut, widen, and weld my alternator bracket. there are special GM PS double-ended studs that screw into the back of the PS pump. Borgeson went cheap by substituting inadequate set screws and nuts. they shoulda just provided the correct fasteners, still easily available nowadays. I also had to replace the canned ham reservoir with the older style with the tilted filler neck. and then there's the ground strap across the rag joint.

old borgeson install thread

another borgeson install thread

BBC PS brackets

pump overboosting the steering assist...

 

I wasn't aware GM studs were available or that the set screws were adjustable. Like I said, no info sent with parts. I forgot to mention the filler cap hit the bracket bolt. I thinned the bolt head and used lock tite instead of a lock washer and the cap JUST clears the bolt. An off set filler would be a better fix.....Thanks....Bob

 

I had a few similar issues with my install but most of those came down to the main lower power steering bracket that originally came with my car was distorted. It had been welded/repaired in a couple of places and I just couldn't get the pulleys to line up. A new bracket solved that issue. I also created a minor pulley misalignment with the alternator when I swapped in a cs144 140 amp alt. Because I have heads that have raised exhaust ports, the rear power steering bracket could not bolt to the head/exhaust flange bolt. I welded on a bracket that goes from the outer edge of the alternator adjustment bracket to the head for additional support. So far, everything is working fine including the hydraboost. No leaks, steering is tight and responsive. I am happy with the results.

 

the PS reservoir with the tilted fill neck, actually more parts-correct than the "modern" canned ham, is still available. I think I got mine from Summit. at least with the tilted fill neck, you can get your hand in there to remove the cap no problem, but you still got to use a long skinny funnel for topping off. hopefully you got the PS pump with the keyway, and the correct corvette-only cast iron PS pulley (also readily available, aftermarket repop).

yeah, no info with the parts, but there's a ton of info on how to do the C3 BBC PS setup on these forums.

it's a blessing in disguise that all the parts to do PS with a BBC in a C3 are readily available, incredible. I did mine in the garage on jack stands, no real issue there. as long as you take the front wheels off, you got clearance to work, I mean, considering, the limitations and the confines of a porcupine-headed big block being resident in the engine compartment. I have cast-iron exhaust manifolds, if that makes a difference.

 

The pulley appears first quality, cast iron, keyed and a nice lite push fit on the pump. Seems to run nice and true. I've done a number of body off restorations on 50's cars and my 66 and my 69 Vettes so I'm very familiar with repro's and the fact that very few fit without some massaging and/or compromises. Some stuff out there is just plain junk. All in all I'm satisfied with Borgeson's parts and phone help. The guys here got me started in the right direction and gave some timely help. I do think Borgeson could do a better job of putting drawings and instructions in with the parts. My guess is someone with minimal skills/tools and expecting a bolt in type deal would really be disappointed...................Bob

 

I did this conversion a few years ago
it was fairly straight forward on my 73 SB

just a quick question though
has anyone installed a stabilizer shock in place of the old cylinder?