I have replaced power steering pumps on my car multiple times. I'm on my 3rd or maybe 4th pump. Granted, this is during a 15 year period with like 8K miles, but it's just one of those thorns in the flesh. They always seem to end up leaking. It's a federal pump. I've used recycled off a running car and I've used remanned. Does anyone make a nice aftermarket one that people have used? Searches didn't yield many results.
Aftermarket power steering pump?
- Thread starter jrc4y4
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cudamark
Well-Known Member
What year, model, and engine are you working on? Usually the Saginaw setup is more trouble free than the Federal/TRW style pumps. To convert, you would have to have all the brackets and hoses with the pump, and the correct pulley for your application. Sometimes those are made of unobtainium in some years/models/engines. There's always some aftermarket setups, but, they can be pretty pricey and many require other mods to get them to work.
A Saginaw pump is a great upgrade, however Swapping a Saginaw pump on 70-72 with the pump down low in stock position can be a real problem. The rear pressure line on the Saginaw pump can interfere with the biscuit style motor mount stand.
I believe that the 72 has the biscuit type mount rather than the spool type mount that is used in 73 up cars. The biscuit type mounts are much farther forward than the spool mounts. I swapped to the 70 up belt system with ac on my 69 and the ps pump was a nightmare. No room for the rear exit hose on the Saginaw pump.
charger426
Well-Known Member
Might be cheaper or at least easier to have FirmFeel rebuild your pump.
Are you using the right fluid?
not just for racks and pinions, HDK has used this pump from Speedway Motors on small blocks, big blocks and Hemi installs. The GM pressure is compatible with the late 60's 70's factory P/S pumps. I often add a adjustable valve to dial in the pressure for the best feel
Aluminum Power Steering Pumps w/ Reservoir
Heidts PS-101 Adjustable Power Steering Valve
BTW...HDK makes brackets in aluminum for small, big block and the 66-72 Stage II Hemi applications.
Aluminum Power Steering Pumps w/ Reservoir
Heidts PS-101 Adjustable Power Steering Valve
BTW...HDK makes brackets in aluminum for small, big block and the 66-72 Stage II Hemi applications.
Are there big differences in power steering fluid?
Jim Lusk
Well-Known Member
Very cool. Do you have brackets that work with the Bouchillon AC brackets for a big block?
no, Bouchillon mounts the A/C compressor where I put the P/S pump. With the HDK brackets, the compressor mounts under the P/S bracket, very similar to the small block set-up pictured above. As you are aware, not a lot of frontage space on the big block / Hemi. The big block would require relocating the battery to the trunk, small block fits with the battery tray in the engine bay.
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mostly they use atf non synthetic, there is also pentosin or hydraulic fluids they use. Check your manual.
The back of your pump looks close to the motor mount from what I can see in the picture. The Saginaw pump has the high pressure line exiting in the back and you need a few inches of clearance to make the setup work. I didn’t know this and didn’t figure it out until I tried to put a hose on it.
The picture below is what I had to do to get it to fit. Banjo fitting and a custom hose
Jim Lusk
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I'm not moving the battery for a whole lot of reasons and already have the AC compressor mounted, BUT my Saginaw mount uses the same pivot bolt as one of the AC bracket bolts.
mopardude318
Well-Known Member
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