Has anyone any experience with installing power steering on a 68 Vette small block? Also any recommendation on which kit to buy?
thanks

 

It's not difficult at all. Maybe a couple hours to install. If you call your order in you can get free shipping.
Dan
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1869

 

What does Non-hypo refer to?
thanks

 

HYPO pretty much means anything over stock HP.
Non-HYPO means you have stock HP

If you've done anything like a cam or heads to more HP out of your motor you have to go w/the HYPO version. Alls it is,is a different pulley.

 

Go to: http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/82239/

very good instruction, I am also planning to do this on the C3.

 

Anyone have experience with a kit? Does Vansteel make quality parts and stand by them?

 

ttt, man this board is busy. ;-)

 

I haven't used a kit but can assure you Van Steel will stand behind any problem from anything they sell. They are a quality outfit.
Gary

 

thanks, you don't work for them do you? ;-)

 

The only thing that I would add is this: I recommend that you fill the system with GM Power Steering Fluid. It is available at from GM dealerships. It is the only fluid that is specifically formulated to operate in the Saginaw power steering pump. It is the same fluid as the factory OEM fill.

That isn't to say that other fluid are necessarily bad. It just means that the GM fluid has been tested in thousands and thousands of laboratory tests and millions upon millions of vehicle test miles. There just isn't that type of test background with any of the other PS fluids.

 

thanks Jim, I'll remember that.

 

Jim, are you referring to the GM cold weather formula or std formula PS fluid from GM? The one w/ the barium additive?

I believe Texaco is the OE for the GM branded fluid.

Valvoline SynPower PS Fluid meets GM spec 9985010. 9985010 is the same GM spec that has been around since at least the early 70s for Saginaw pumps.

 

No I don't work for them, I do all my own work.Of course after 18" snow yesterday maybe I should head to FL and fill out an application
They would be one of only two places I would use though.

Gary

 

I have been retired for four years from Delphi Saginaw Steering (formerly Saginaw Steering Gear Div, GMC). Before I retired I worked in steering systems competitive analysis and before that I was at Saturn for the development and launch of the original Saturns.

Even before that (back in the 70s and early 80s) I was responsible for the Saginaw side of the GM power steering fluid. (That was before the need for the cold weather fluid.) I was around when the oil additive from the sperm whale was eliminated from the PS fluid however.)

Back in my time, there was only one approved supplier of power steering fluid - that was the Texaco Corporation. We not only approved the oil additives but we even followed where Texaco obtained their crude oil to make PS fluid.

Power steering fluid was sold under GM #1050017 for years and years. I see that now the GM part number is 89020661. I don't know why the fluid number was changed. I also don't know if there are any other suppliers that are approved to supply fluid to GM and Delphi Saginaw. The guy that took my place in the power steering area at Delphi hasn't been the most cooperative when it comes to helping retirees with technical information. I will try him early next week to see if I can get updated on PS fluid.

Through the years, Saginaw has continually tested their pumps, gears, and hoses with actual approved power steering fluid. That testing encompassed thousands and thousands of tests. All durability fleet testing was conducted with the approved fluid as well.

Some suppliers may say that they meet a GM specification, but unless they were approved as a supplier, their fluid never underwent the exacting material, component, and system testing that Saginaw conducts.

All of the above isn't to say that there might be other fluids (petroleum based as well as synthetics) that would perform as well. However, I am sure that they don't have the track record of testing that the approved GM power steering fluid has.

 

Thanks Jim!

I saw your location earlier so was kinda curious about that.

My concern is that they no longer make the Corvette Saginaw pumps... and that GM will no longer ensure it's fluids are optimal for Saginaw pumps like this specifically as they move on to 'bigger and better' things so to speak... I could be wrong, just a concern.

Also I never really understood the importance of the 866 vs 861 fluids for Saginaws though some swear the cold weather version is the way to go for all climates. Wasn't the cold weather version something they developed LONG after the C3 came and went...?

I've researched a number of namebrand PS fluids and the ONLY brand I've found that actually lists the GM saginaw spec is the one from Valvoline. There may be others but this is the only one that seems to list it or acknowledge it that I found I know engine oil makers are serious about the GM spec for newer Corvettes (synthetic) but I don't know if they take this spec seriously or not. You're right - the spec could just be a common minimum (it's a very old spec - at least 35 yrs) and what they do internally may very well exceed it.

AFAIK Texaco continues to be the OEM for PS fluids (and a few other lubes...)

I'm pretty comfortable using either of the GM fluids or the Valvoline fluid - but I think you just can't go wrong w/ the GM stuff. I guess someone 'might' get the Texaco brand fluid too but good luck finding it! PS Fluid has always been a mystery to me. Car makers seem to spec all kinds of stuff including:

ATF (generic)
ATF Type F
ATF Dexron(s)
ATF Mercon(s)
PS Fluid (generically bottled as such at parts stores)
Proprietary PS Fluids

Of all automotive fluids - this one has always been the biggest 'black box' mystery to me. Details and info abounds on motor oils, gear lubes, greases, transmissions etc... but PS always been the mystery juice!

thanks for sharing your insights!

 

Back when I originally had PS fluid responsibility, Texaco would not even tell us what exactly was in the fluid. We would test it and run IR scans to insure that they didn't change anything, but they wouldn't reveal the additives.

Well along came OHSA and all chemicals and fluids that were used in manufacturing plants had to have all the constituents revealed. So we eventually did find out all the magic that was in the fluid.

 

I have no experience with them. BUT I have never heard of a bad experience with them. They are forum supporting vendors and they are always scanning this forum for questions about their products. When I have the $$$ I am going to have them rebuild my ta's and pumpkin.