Power Steering Conversion in Progress...Help !!

[TLeBlanc]

I'm in the process of installing power steering on my 64. I won't get in to all the problems I've has so far at this time, but the issue I just ran up against is the pump/pulley assembly not properly aligning. It appears the bracket that bolts to the pump and attaches to the block is the culprit. Looks like it was welded together crooked. Anyone run into this problem before ?

Got the bracket from Corvette Central.

 

[Ken Anderson]

You may have the wrong crank pulley. Call CC and ask for Dave. He'll help you out.

 

[TLeBlanc]

I'll try that Ken, but I think the bracket is not correct. When all bolted up the power steering pulley is not even close to being parallel to the crank and Waterpump pulleys. I could get a belt mounted, but I am sure it would not stay on. I would take a picture, but have already removed everything. Will definitely give Dave a call to see what we can come up with. They have always been helpful and great to deal with.

 

[Subfixer]

If you have a 300 hp car with the original pulley setup, you need the add-on P/S crank pulley. (Adds a third groove to the crank pulley setup). This was the stock setup in 64.
If you have the SHP deep pulleys (365hp) setup, then you need the special cast iron P/S pulley that will align with the outer crank pulley groove.

 

[ctjackster]

if the PS pulley is throwing a line that is more than a little "non-parallel" to the main crank pulley line, you will need to work on the PS pump bracketry - mine was like that too, though not excessively so, but enough to cause me to do some bending & shimming to put my mind at ease - no desire to sling belts here either.

Check the AIM and shop manual to make sure you have all the parts of the set up too, including the all the washers shown:

note that the rear bracket attaches to the block with one bolt at back, and two in front - you can adjust the "parallel" factor by bending the rear tab (the one that the single rear bolt goes through) or you (maybe a little bit Bubba) might put a washer or two between the bracket and the block on that single rear bolt

 

[TLeBlanc]

Thanks Ctjackster & Subfixer. The car came with a crate 350 engine in it. The previous owner had also installed chrome pulleys alternator etc. I've got two groove pulleys on WP and Crank. I currently have a single groove and double groove PS Pulley. Looks like I'd have to add the third pulley to the Crank to use the single on the PS Pump. The Double Groove would work on the outer Crank groove, but the alignment issue prevents this.


I just went out and took some pics will post for everyone to look at. I am attempting to post now.

 

[TLeBlanc]

Here is a pic of the bracket with two threaded rods inserted, one through the bolt hole that goes into the eng block, and the other is where the pump bolts on to the bracket.

 

[TLeBlanc]

This is a pic of the pulley set up on the engine right now.

 

[Subfixer]

Mine looked like that too. I found that if you tighten all the bolts (with the belt on)except the pivot one on the back of the pump (the one where there is a "u" shaped slot for the rear pump stud), it should all straighten out. The rear adjusting slot has a lot of slop on it. Mine's pretty much straight now.

 

[TLeBlanc]

Thanks for the tip Subfixer. I'll give that a try.

 

[TLeBlanc]

Subfixer,

That was the ticket. I left everything loose at first and started by tightening the two bolts on the bracket to the front of the block, then the bolt to the block at the motor mount. From there I can see there is a gap at the adjustment bracket point on the back of the pump that I can add a washer to and should do the trick. Thanks again for the info !!