No power steering below 1k rpm - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dillon79scotts · 11-04-2011, 12:10 AM

I swapped a 5.3l lm7 into my 79 chevy 4x4 as known by now.

Well the problem im running into is a lose power steering it feels like at idle or anywhere below like 1k to 1200 rpm.

Its still got the original 5.3l saginaw pump mounted to the accessory bracket.
only thing i can think of its because its on 38.5 tires.... but my friend has a stock 350, with his stock power steering turning 38's just fine even at 700 rpm idle...

mine will turn about a 1/4 turn on the wheel, just enough to get the truck to stand up a little and it wont do anything, unless brought up to higher RPM.

COULD THIS PUMP BE WORN OUT? OR HAS SOMEONE ELSE RAN INTO THIS PROBLEM?

POSSIBLY A SMALLER PULLEY?

Dillon79scotts · 11-10-2011, 01:56 AM

anyone?

BR3W CITY · 11-10-2011, 02:40 PM

Check your fluid level first, and see if there is any "foaming" to start. Jack up the front end, start the truck and move the steering lock to lock. Check the fluid level, top of and do that again a few times. This was the air is 100% out of the system, and its easier to guage with the front off the ground.

Although I didn't have this problem, I've heard of an issue with whats called a "T handle" , a little restrictor with a spring that is actually in the BOX not the pump. They can be changed out to help feel. Below is a link of saginaw pumps, applications and ratio.
www.chevelles.com/techref/shea_3.html

Lastly, the impeller on your ps pump could be dying. Like a water pump that doesn't move enough water at idle, a ps pump can work in a similar manner.

Dillon79scotts · 11-10-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Check your fluid level first, and see if there is any "foaming" to start. Jack up the front end, start the truck and move the steering lock to lock. Check the fluid level, top of and do that again a few times. This was the air is 100% out of the system, and its easier to guage with the front off the ground.

Although I didn't have this problem, I've heard of an issue with whats called a "T handle" , a little restrictor with a spring that is actually in the BOX not the pump. They can be changed out to help feel. Below is a link of saginaw pumps, applications and ratio.
www.chevelles.com/techref/shea_3.html

Lastly, the impeller on your ps pump could be dying. Like a water pump that doesn't move enough water at idle, a ps pump can work in a similar manner.

thats what i was thinking. the pump did run dry for few minutes when i first fired up the engine. i didnt have lines set up, so maybe i burnt it up?

i will jack it up again and do that whole procedure once more. the fluid level was about 3/4 way up. and didnt see any foam.

Dillon79scotts · 11-10-2011, 07:55 PM

its just weird how a stock small block, with stock steering can turn 37s at idle with almost no effort. same truck, same everything as mine.

i will look for a kink, but i dont think there is any restriction

BR3W CITY · 11-10-2011, 10:32 PM

I don't have rims anywhere that big, but look at it this way.

I had an sbc with god knows what pump, but I think it was from 71-72...and a matching steering box.

When I switched over to the lq4, and kept the same 70's box, there was almost NO difference in function.

Dillon79scotts · 11-10-2011, 11:52 PM

yeah, and i wouldnt think there would be

68GMCCustom · 11-12-2011, 10:45 PM

I'm running a new pump for an LSx truck motor and the 67-72 ps box. Only mod was to the pump side of the high pressure hose with a flare-to-oring fitting adapter I got from Speedway Mine went dry when I 1st started it too, but only for a few seconds.... not minutes.

85burb · 11-13-2011, 01:33 AM

I would try a new pump. They are cheap. I have a lq4 with 33s and it turns way easyer then old 350s pump. Almost no effort.

Dillon79scotts · 11-13-2011, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85burb

I would try a new pump. They are cheap. I have a lq4 with 33s and it turns way easyer then old 350s pump. Almost no effort.

will a SBC pump fit in the same spot? or is there something different between them besides pulley of course

85burb · 11-13-2011, 10:51 AM

I think the bodys maybe different but the actal pump may fit in the ls body. They are 39 bucks at autostore for new pump so i never even tryed.

Dillon79scotts · 11-13-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85burb

I think the bodys maybe different but the actal pump may fit in the ls body. They are 39 bucks at autostore for new pump so i never even tryed.

i guess i could try just replacing the pump. would be easier. never have switched one out before tho

11-04-2011, 12:10 AM	#1
Dillon79scotts Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 115	No power steering below 1k rpm I swapped a 5.3l lm7 into my 79 chevy 4x4 as known by now. Well the problem im running into is a lose power steering it feels like at idle or anywhere below like 1k to 1200 rpm. Its still got the original 5.3l saginaw pump mounted to the accessory bracket. only thing i can think of its because its on 38.5 tires.... but my friend has a stock 350, with his stock power steering turning 38's just fine even at 700 rpm idle... mine will turn about a 1/4 turn on the wheel, just enough to get the truck to stand up a little and it wont do anything, unless brought up to higher RPM. COULD THIS PUMP BE WORN OUT? OR HAS SOMEONE ELSE RAN INTO THIS PROBLEM? POSSIBLY A SMALLER PULLEY?

11-10-2011, 01:56 AM	#2
Dillon79scotts Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 115	Re: No power steering below 1k rpm anyone? __________________ 1979 Chevy 1/2ton 4x4 Scottsdale 3/4 ton swap. 5.3l Lm7 LS swap Just a stock 5.3l till more money comes my way

11-10-2011, 02:40 PM	#3
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: No power steering below 1k rpm Check your fluid level first, and see if there is any "foaming" to start. Jack up the front end, start the truck and move the steering lock to lock. Check the fluid level, top of and do that again a few times. This was the air is 100% out of the system, and its easier to guage with the front off the ground. Although I didn't have this problem, I've heard of an issue with whats called a "T handle" , a little restrictor with a spring that is actually in the BOX not the pump. They can be changed out to help feel. Below is a link of saginaw pumps, applications and ratio. www.chevelles.com/techref/shea_3.html Lastly, the impeller on your ps pump could be dying. Like a water pump that doesn't move enough water at idle, a ps pump can work in a similar manner. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

11-10-2011, 07:55 PM	#5
Dillon79scotts Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 115	Re: No power steering below 1k rpm its just weird how a stock small block, with stock steering can turn 37s at idle with almost no effort. same truck, same everything as mine. i will look for a kink, but i dont think there is any restriction __________________ 1979 Chevy 1/2ton 4x4 Scottsdale 3/4 ton swap. 5.3l Lm7 LS swap Just a stock 5.3l till more money comes my way

11-10-2011, 10:32 PM	#6
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: No power steering below 1k rpm I don't have rims anywhere that big, but look at it this way. I had an sbc with god knows what pump, but I think it was from 71-72...and a matching steering box. When I switched over to the lq4, and kept the same 70's box, there was almost NO difference in function. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

11-10-2011, 11:52 PM	#7
Dillon79scotts Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 115	Re: No power steering below 1k rpm yeah, and i wouldnt think there would be __________________ 1979 Chevy 1/2ton 4x4 Scottsdale 3/4 ton swap. 5.3l Lm7 LS swap Just a stock 5.3l till more money comes my way

11-12-2011, 10:45 PM	#8
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: No power steering below 1k rpm I'm running a new pump for an LSx truck motor and the 67-72 ps box. Only mod was to the pump side of the high pressure hose with a flare-to-oring fitting adapter I got from Speedway Mine went dry when I 1st started it too, but only for a few seconds.... not minutes. __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

11-13-2011, 01:33 AM	#9
85burb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lindale,tx Posts: 2,373	Re: No power steering below 1k rpm I would try a new pump. They are cheap. I have a lq4 with 33s and it turns way easyer then old 350s pump. Almost no effort. __________________ 82 c10 5.3/4l60 84 c20 5.3/sm465 85 chevy k10 suburban LQ4/4l60 91 chevy c10 suburban Lsa 5.3/4l60 2017 Silverado whipple 5.3 1964 Vw beetle 1974 vw beetle

11-13-2011, 10:51 AM	#11
85burb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lindale,tx Posts: 2,373	Re: No power steering below 1k rpm I think the bodys maybe different but the actal pump may fit in the ls body. They are 39 bucks at autostore for new pump so i never even tryed. __________________ 82 c10 5.3/4l60 84 c20 5.3/sm465 85 chevy k10 suburban LQ4/4l60 91 chevy c10 suburban Lsa 5.3/4l60 2017 Silverado whipple 5.3 1964 Vw beetle 1974 vw beetle



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