Pump It Down....EASY

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I didn't read all the posts (a lot), so someone might have said it already but, I used a copper washer from a brake caliper hose to caliper fitting washer on mine. It's a perfect fit. Some may like a lighter or firmer feel, so you'll have to make washer adjustments, (thickness) but works great & it was free cause' I had the washers lying around.
It is time consuming doing this mod, but well worth it.
 
Does someone actually have a picture of WHERE the shims install in a Federal pump? Thank you drive through.
 
Just to add info, I pulled my 73 Challenger Saginaw pump out for a rebuild and found 3 washers measuring .072.
The car was always a little loosey goosey but no problems.
I have added .030 as a test with a locally built firm feel chuck.
It's not back up and running yet but i am sure of improvement.
One change I made before rebuild was to install a tuff wheel with a smaller diameter.

This made a noticeable difference in feel because of decreased radius.
 
Since Jeff started this thread, I found and clicked on Del's link to Rick's article. As stated perfection is not required but he recommended adding .062. I started with a brake washer as well, ground and filed a bit. Tomorrow I'll install and test if the monsoons quit. I don’t know what is in the 68, but both these pumps had the same skinny shim.

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I thought that my pump was the problem.

I put a pressure tester on my Federal and found that the pump only put out 3 or 4 hundred pounds while turning the wheels. When I dead headed it, I got 750lbs. My steering had "pinky" steering mode, which was terrible.

We have a guy here in Ontario that "firm feels" steering boxes and is 3rd generation doing it. Don't shoot the messenger, but he scoffed at the idea of "pumping it down". I had him build my box and it is freaking amazing. My steering feels like assisted manual at all times (can palm the wheel in a parking lot), and the car handles beautifully down the road.......LOL, best of all, it was $395 CDN, and a 2 day turn around.
 
I thought that my pump was the problem.

I put a pressure tester on my Federal and found that the pump only put out 3 or 4 hundred pounds while turning the wheels. When I dead headed it, I got 750lbs. My steering had "pinky" steering mode, which was terrible.

We have a guy here in Ontario that "firm feels" steering boxes and is 3rd generation doing it. Don't shoot the messenger, but he scoffed at the idea of "pumping it down". I had him build my box and it is freaking amazing. My steering feels like assisted manual at all times (can palm the wheel in a parking lot), and the car handles beautifully down the road.......LOL, best of all, it was $395 CDN, and a 2 day turn around.

Who is the guy?
 
I pulled the 68 valve and it had a slightly larger shim. My combo ended up at .093. I put them on the spare valve I had. It feels tighter sitting still in the shop. Too muddy. But I tried to place the skinniest shim onto the 68 original valve and it would not tighten. Must be some variables in production out there. Meh, no worries.

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Just to add to this thread, I just picked up my Duster from the shop. I had them install a Borgeson power steering unit. My car now drives very similar to a modern car. I also had them install the Borgeson power reducing valve as well to take the pressure down to about 900lbs (three shims) which is what was recommened for A body cars. I might even take it down a bit more but I'll give it a while before I decide. Anyway, this was a nice upgrade to the handling of the car! No more play in the wheel and much easier to handle at slow speeds!
What is the Borgeson power reducing valve if you’re still around? Got the box, and have the hissing everyone complains about. Maybe this would help.
 
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