Ok guys, I've searched through all of the old posts and I've checked out David Pozzi's website but I still wanted to get some opinions and some clarification. I currently have a 1968 with manual steering. I am looking to convert to power steering by using a remanufactured 3rd gen box. I've included a parts list. Can anyone tell me if I'm missing anything or if there may be a better/cheaper source for the parts?

Cardone #276550 Reman 3rd gen steering box $152 (Rock auto)

Lee conversion kit (Rag Joint, hose adapters) $65

Moog 6582 PS pitman Arm $51 (Rock Auto)

PS Pump(Cardone #206086) 1968 $75 -or- PS Pump(Cardone #207926) 1992 $50


PS Pressure hose(AC Delco# 36p15070) $20

PS Return Line ??

PS Brackets ??

PS Pump Pulley ??

PS Crankshaft Pulley ??

Does anyone have any good sources for the brackets and pulleys? Also, I noticed that a third gen pump is less expensive that the first gen pump. Can I use a third Gen pump? If so, what do I need for lines in order for it to work? Does the fact that I have a short water pump change anything as far as brackets or pulleys? I do have aftermarket heads with accessory holes.


Thanks for your help.

You can get repro brackets from Rick's or Classic Industries.
Most rebuilt pumps don't come with an outlet fitting, I don't know if they come with a pressure valve either.

The squarish shaped reservoirs should work, but I can't say for sure. The concern is for alternator belt clearance.

If you use a later post 74 pump without a nut on the shaft, the shaft is larger and older pulleys won't fit.

I'd try to stay with a pre 74 pump with the nut and a male outlet fitting is proper for a 68. If you wind up with a female pressure outlet, there is a hose number on my page that will work with that.

Anyone with a long water pump can use a Sweet PS pump with remote reservoir or many of the later pumps, plus Speedway Motors sells a simple flat steel bracket for PS pumps, I'm not sure it would work on a short water pump though.

I strongly recomend the Z/28 style deep groove crank and water pump pulleys sold by GM they are on my page. After 69, all pulleys are deep groove. the old shallow groove pulleys are a PAIN.

The return line is standard stuff, any parts store will have it.

There is a 90 degree tube that goes on the box's return fitting that you'll need, rockauto lists it.

Think hard about which pump. You need the Lee adapters to use american flared 68 hoses on a metric box, and these hoses will be the right length for the car and have the right fitting to attach to the original pump.

The lee adapters are lil alluminum things that press into the box fittings, and change the seat from an inverted flare to a standard flare. You are still left with trying to screw amaerican thread fittings into metric tapped holes.

If you use a late model pump, then you can also use late model metric hoses, if you can find the right length, and you will not need the lee adapters.

When I did mine, screwing the new american thread hoses into the new metric thread box was SCARY. I wrecked the threads on the new pressure hose fitting (on a sunday!), and ended up cutting it off, flaring the one from my old hose on, and pulling the box and starting the fittings with the box out of the car so I could be sure to get them straight.

I bought these Weatherhead fittings from Napa, #1446: 3/8" is 5/8 18 - 16x1.5 and Weatherhead #1447: 3/8" is 5/8 18 - 18x1.5 which have metric threads that screw into the ports on the box then your american threaded hoses fit into the adapters. Works well. I also bought the Motormite 31011 rag joint from Rock auto, its for a 79 camaro. I used a Tuff stuff pump (http://www.srbymichael.com/manufacturers/tuffstuff/tuff_pump.shtml) and a Powercraft pressure hose #70973 and a standard return hose from Napa #NPS71202.

Mike
Mike

Powercraft hoses #"s 70979 and 70551 will perfect for an original type setup. I got my gear box from a 75 omega and the pump is OE type replacement from Schucks. The hoses worked perfect with no adapters. I am not sure if the pressure line will work with a 3rd gen box. Ask to see a powercraft hose catalog (or any other), in the back it will give discriptions of all their hoses. I think my pressure line was actually used for a mid 70's international scout or something.

Cheers!!