Hi all - putting my 1970 small block back together and am realizing I don't have the correct power steering pump adjustment bracket, so I ordered the correct one. This is the bracket that has three mounting points - 2 are in the front of the block (with the lower power steering bracket) and the third is supposed to connect with the bolt that attaches the engine mount. I have two questions....

First - when holding this bracket in place...say I hold the two mounting holes up against the front of the block...then that third mounting point is probably ~1" away from the engine mount bolt location? I think it could possibly work, but I would obviously have to put a lot of force to pull it where it needs to go - has anyone else experience this? Or is this bracket (purchased new from a Corvette parts store that starts with E) just not a good one and made off by that much? Should it just fall into place? It's pretty heavy steel, so seems weird that it is normal for the installer to have to fight it that much?

Second - assuming I get that third bolt to line up (probably start with that one...has anyone installed this bracket with the engine in the car? I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to get a wrench or socket or anything on that bolt with the engine mount and this bracket now in the way? Please tell me that the only way to install this bracket is by pulling the motor out (after I just put it in!)?!?!?!

Thanks - look forward to your comments!

 

I've yet to see any bracket that far off, the odd time maybe need a little flex but usually they should just line up. Any sign that it's bent?

Anyway, here's a bump for ya
M

 

I just finished the same install the other day. I bought a used bracket off of eBay ant found it to be about an inch off and behind the front motor mount bolt. I tweaked it a little bit and was able to get it to line up pretty good. I started the bolts in the front of the block, left them loose, then caught the motor mount bolt. Mine was pretty easy because I am working on a bare chassis where everything is super accessible. I imagine it is harder I imagine it is harder with everything in the way. I would tackle it from underneath though iI would tackle it from underneath though if so.

 

Thanks for the comments. I don't have much in the way yet...The motor and transmission are in...obviously I have front suspension in as well. But I don't have radiator or fan or belts installed yet. So you are saying you were able to get the motor mount bolt installed with that bracket (the third mounting point of the bracket)? How did you get a wrench in there? I assume you were not able to get a socket on the bolt?

 

I have always hated that stupid bracket. I mean almost 50 years of hate.
It is some GM "universal" we can adapt it to any vehicle, but we will look the other way on the new Vette.

 

I have moroso solid motor mounts. That may make access easier than stock mounts. I was able to get in there with a ratcheting box end wrench.

 

I mounted the bracket to the front of the block with the lower power steering bracket. This photo shows how far off that third mounting spot is. Is this reasonable? Do I have a bad bracket?

 

Here are pictures if I mount the third location at the motor mount, you can see how far off the two holes at the front of the block are off...

 

I would try bending it. I went looking for pictures I might have and only found this one. When I installed PS on my 68 everything bolted up nicely. Take a peek:

 

It's off quite a bit. Repop?

 

Sorry... What does repop mean?

 

The thickness of your motor mount when attached to the engine should line those holes up if the motor mount is put on first the mount second looks like you’re trying to line it up to the block

 

Reproduction. Also known as re poop.

 

So, I purchased a second bracket from the same supplier hoping that maybe the first one was just "bad." The second one is the same. I then ordered a complete kit (lower P/S pump bracket with the adjustment bracket in question) from a different supplier hoping that maybe that would fit better. It fits the same. The holes just don't line up. I don't understand how these can be this far off. Really not sure how I'm going to get this to work short of having someone cut the end of the bracket back and elongate the holes so that it fits? Just shouldn't be this hard. Anyone else have this experience, or solution ideas? I hate to just keep buying more brackets...but I don't know how anyone could get these brackets installed. I keep looking at the AIM to see if I'm missing a part somewhere - but I don't see one. I keep looking for evidence of different brackets for L46 motor - but don't see that either. I just don't get it.

 

I'm sorry - I'm not following you. Can you try to clarify for me?

 

This was the answer. I'm still really surprised that these brackets are that far off...but I will be returning the two extra that I bought and move on.

It is also helpful to know that you really need to install the P/S pump into the lower bracket and put all of that in as a unit as well...really difficult to put the pump into the bracket with the bracket in the car...maybe impossible.

 

I am having the identical issue. Bracket is about an inch away. How did you bend it?

 

 

Isn't the gap filled by the motor mount?

 

Not an inch worth unless I’m missing something