swap power steering help

[azsmokey]

I have a question that I hope someone might be able to answer. We swapped a 6.0l into our 72 K10 and most everything works great. The issue we are having relates to the power steering. We installed a new gearbox during the build and the power steering worked great on the donor vehicle prior to disassembly. During testing in the 72, the steering was next to impossible to move when the vehicle was at rest and generally ok while in motion, although requiring much more effort. The pump was inspected and is operating nominally. A local shop suggested an adjustable pressure valve which enabled the steering to function very well at rest, however now while in motion, the steering is very loose and apparently "over-powered." Has anyone had similar issues when completing the swap? Thanks for any help.

[crazy longhorn]

I cant offer too much here, but will ask a ? did you jack the front up, & bleed the system? Turn slowly, lock to lock & purge the air? I run an 84 Burb box on my longhorn (metric,variable ratio)...it has a little different feel, a little looser on the "feel", but no issues. When I swapped the 5.3 in, the power fitting screwed right into the LS pump. It does not feel any different, as far as steer, than it did , with the gen I pump? We should probably start another thread....so as not to step on the original post....but I do feel that it is all related? Let the rest of the crowd post in, & it maybe will help several guys? Longhorn

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by azsmokey

I have a question that I hope someone might be able to answer. We swapped a 6.0l into our 72 K10 and most everything works great. The issue we are having relates to the power steering. We installed a new gearbox during the build and the power steering worked great on the donor vehicle prior to disassembly. During testing in the 72, the steering was next to impossible to move when the vehicle was at rest and generally ok while in motion, although requiring much more effort. The pump was inspected and is operating nominally. A local shop suggested an adjustable pressure valve which enabled the steering to function very well at rest, however now while in motion, the steering is very loose and apparently "over-powered." Has anyone had similar issues when completing the swap? Thanks for any help.

Yes same with mine and added all the castor I could.

[Andy4639]

The valve fittings on the old pump and the late model pump should interchange with each other. You can use whichever one makes it feel right. I put the old valve in the new housing first then swapped it back to the newer valve. This was so that the new hoses I ordered would work.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

The valve fittings on the old pump and the late model pump should interchange with each other. You can use whichever one makes it feel right. I put the old valve in the new housing first then swapped it back to the newer valve. This was so that the new hoses I ordered would work.

Yes, I did that also.
I even added 5 shims to the valve, no change still "light" as compared to the other 3 trucks I drive

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Yes, I did that also.
I even added 5 shims to the valve, no change still "light" as compared to the other 3 trucks I drive

What do you mean light?

[solidaxel]

The steering feels "light" or loose, not as is a way of loose "parts"

[powerline84]

well in regards to the origional thread lol..i used the same stock hoses that amr88ss used from rock auto...just had to bend the pressure side a little to fit at the pump and swapped out the pump fittings and spring with the ones that Crazy longhorn gave me and boom! everything worked as advertised...thanks for the help guys and thanks again crazy longhorn...power steering problem sorted.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by powerline84

well in regards to the origional thread lol..i used the same stock hoses that amr88ss used from rock auto...just had to bend the pressure side a little to fit at the pump and swapped out the pump fittings and spring with the ones that Crazy longhorn gave me and boom! everything worked as advertised...thanks for the help guys and thanks again crazy longhorn...power steering problem sorted.

I love it , when a truck comes together....Longhorn

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by powerline84

well in regards to the origional thread lol..i used the same stock hoses that amr88ss used from rock auto...just had to bend the pressure side a little to fit at the pump and swapped out the pump fittings and spring with the ones that Crazy longhorn gave me and boom! everything worked as advertised...thanks for the help guys and thanks again crazy longhorn...power steering problem sorted.

Have you driven the truck yet?
Let me know if the power steering "feels" the same.
Thanks

[powerline84]

yeah it feels fine to me...its not different enough that i noticed

[solidaxel]

Thanks for the reply, I guess I will try another gear box.

[mcbassin]

Any of you guys have the proper part numbers for the lines from Rock auto? I ordered the low pressure side and it came in wrong. I didn't want go through the whole return thing again....

[Amr84ss]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Any of you guys have the proper part numbers for the lines from Rock auto? I ordered the low pressure side and it came in wrong. I didn't want go through the whole return thing again....

Originally Posted by Amr84ss

Looking at Rockautos page, I think the one you are looking for is the Edelman 70917. That one like the one in my photo up top. If it's like mine you will have to bend the tubing going to the back of the pump just a little to get it to thread on there.

I believe this is the correct number. As for your return you dont need a formed hose, just use the metal lines you have for the return and on the pump and put a hose with clamps on it.

[Andy4639]

I got to stop posting on this. Mine started leaking yesterday. Took it a part thinking I was going to rebuild the sector. Took the wheel off and started messing with it and found the low pressure side hose was split right behind the clamp. Couldn't see it with the clamp in place. New hose and rerouted it so it want have any pressure on it are rubbing against anything.

[franken]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Any of you guys have the proper part numbers for the lines from Rock auto? I ordered the low pressure side and it came in wrong. I didn't want go through the whole return thing again....

If you look at post 4 I think in this thread, the low pressure line is on the bottom running parallel to the steering shaft.

When you order a new one, you get just the steel stub of kine with a fitting on one end. You need to supply the hose and 2 clamps to connect to the pump.

When new the 2 lines crossed the frame at right angles to the frame and parallel to each other, and had a clamp holding them to the frame.

[powerline84]

Edelmann 70917 and edelmann 70629.....as mention earlier in the thread youll have to bend the pressure hose at the pump just a little for it to clear but these are the ones I ordered and they worked well.

[powerline84]

here is pics of my setup done.

[franken]

So you don't have inner fenders or plan to?
If you do, those hoses need fixed, or the inner fenders have to be cut.

[mcbassin]

That is similar to the setup I have now and my inner fender won't fit. That's why I was asking for correct part numbers.

[powerline84]

i dont run inner fenders....and if i do put them in i am gonna cut a lot of metal off of them

[littlevictories]

my truck (64-66) came with zero castor for use with manual boxes. they were farm vehicles not really ever meant for 75mph freeway blasts.
I did the "lower control arm mod" from the make it handle thread. basically you move the LCA forward .750" and this nets you around 7* of castor.
the road feel seems much improved.
I think the added castor adds a bit of resistance to the steering feel.
in a vehicle with any castor on a flat turn, one wheel is always pushing "uphill" so to speak.
The power assist still cuts out under 550 rpm though. I think the dorman replacement pulley is too big.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

That is similar to the setup I have now and my inner fender won't fit. That's why I was asking for correct part numbers.

I run an 84 Burb box on my 69 (metric box, o -ring fitting on the pressure hose). I opted , for the hoses that fit the 84 suburban & they fit a little differently than the original hoses? They tuck down/under the box, fit nice Altho, I do not run inners on the steel tilt clip...the hoses would fit the inners on your truck longhorn