Bergman steering with Edelbrock Heads on SB 360

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ermarccio

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Hi,

I bought a complete power steering system from Bergman with Saginaw pump and brackets, but it doesn't work with Edelbrock heads. Anyone have a work around?

Thanks,
Eric
 
I can't see it because it's at the restoration shop. I'm being told that the fitting directly on the back of the Saginaw pump hits the head. I have a call into Bergman, but he's not in until tomorrow. Thought I'd see if we're doing something wrong or there's a work around.
 
ermarccio said:
Hi,

I bought a complete power steering system from Bergman with Saginaw pump and brackets, but it doesn't work with Edelbrock heads. Anyone have a work around?

Thanks,
Eric
Click to expand...
 
Hi Eric,

Here's a pic of a Saginaw power steering pump mounted to a small block with Edelbrock heads. No problem , get the brackets from Bouchellon Performance products.


DSCN5076.JPG
 
AAndrews said:
Hi Eric,

Here's a pic of a Saginaw power steering pump mounted to a small block with Edelbrock heads. No problem , get the brackets from Bouchellon Performance products.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Hopefully this picture will clear things up. If the issue is with the brackets, I'll reach out Bouchellon.
 
ermarccio said:
Thank you! Hopefully this picture will clear things up. If the issue is with the brackets, I'll reach out Bouchellon.
Click to expand...
No problem Eric. Also, check the alternator mounting hardware. It may not align up properly with the aluminum Eddie heads. I ran into this problem and again, Bouchellon had the fix.
 
The fitting on my pump hit the head too. All you have to do is grind about 1/4" off the corner of the head where it's hitting. Edelbrock does minimal machining on their heads. Square-back alternators usually hit somewhere on the passenger side head too, requiring some finagling. They know about it, but obviously won't spend a few extra minutes on their milling machines to fix it. So we get to.
 
Sounds like my issue is with the water pump design. I have a 68 Barracuda. It's originally a 318 car with a Federal pump. The Saginaw pump and bracketry aren't compatible with the current set up. I'll post a new question regarding using the Federal pump with the Borgeson unit. I've heard it's not ideal.
 
ermarccio said:
Sounds like my issue is with the water pump design. I have a 68 Barracuda. It's originally a 318 car with a Federal pump. The Saginaw pump and bracketry aren't compatible with the current set up. I'll post a new question regarding using the Federal pump with the Borgeson unit. I've heard it's not ideal.
Click to expand...

Easy fix again. Swap to the 70 and up water pump and then use the 70 and up bracketry.
 
AAndrews said:
Easy fix again. Swap to the 70 and up water pump and then use the 70 and up bracketry.
Click to expand...
Good idea, but I believe my factory radiator won't work with the different pump style. I'd like to use the Federal pump for original cosmetics, but I remember hearing the Borgeson unit likes the Saginaw better. Any one know how well the Federal pump works with the Borgeson?
 
ermarccio said:
Good idea, but I believe my factory radiator won't work with the different pump style. I'd like to use the Federal pump for original cosmetics, but I remember hearing the Borgeson unit likes the Saginaw better. Any one know how well the Federal pump works with the Borgeson?
Click to expand...

You are correct on the radiator but, again, any rad shop can easily change the bottom outlet from the driver side to the passenger side. Also lets you see the timing marks on the balancer a lot easier.
 
I have the Borgeson power steering unit, Edelbrock heads, and Saginaw pump on my 340. No issues at all. I went with a full pulley setup from CVF racing and all the brackets fit perfectly.
 
I converted my '70 Duster to Saginaw pump from a Federal and found the pressure fitting had minimal clearance to the K-frame... turns out the factory didn't install Saginaw pumps on V-8 A-bodies until 1973 when they went to the spool-type motor mounts. I was able to make it work with a really tight-bent hard line I made myself.

I didn't have any issues with clearance to the cylinder head though and I'm running Edelbrock heads on my 5.9L Magnum.
 
What he is not telling you is he wants to retain the cast iron water pump. The real issue is my alum heads contact my steering pump. All my brackets are factory style repro. The edelbrock heads hang over the block causing alt bracket issues too.
I spoke to the shop who is sending pictures.
It's a pre 70 car. I suggest the later style parts.
 
MopaR&D said:
I converted my '70 Duster to Saginaw pump from a Federal and found the pressure fitting had minimal clearance to the K-frame... turns out the factory didn't install Saginaw pumps on V-8 A-bodies until 1973 when they went to the spool-type motor mounts. I was able to make it work with a really tight-bent hard line I made myself.

I didn't have any issues with clearance to the cylinder head though and I'm running Edelbrock heads on my 5.9L Magnum.
Click to expand...
This is not true. 67-9s had Saginaws in some cases. I sell the repro bracket.
For guys with saginaws from 70-2, I have a banjo fitting that solves the clearance issue on the pressure side.
 
I just realized the reason I don't have clearance issues with the return fitting on my pump is I got it out of a late 1980s Ramcharger SUV, the return fitting comes around to the bottom of the reservoir and points forward instead of upwards from the back like on the car pumps.

@GMachineDartGT I was very close to getting that banjo fitting from you but luckily managed to get enough clearance for my pressure line.
 
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