['63GENIII]

Quick update because I hate when people ask questions, people reply and the OP doesn't post any kind of solution.
So I did replace the pump with an Oreilly's unit (bc the guy at Napa said that '97 C3500's did not come with Hydroboost) that has a lifetime warranty. I removed the old high pressure fitting, drilled the port to 5/32" and lengthened the spring on the pressure valve from 1-3/4 to 2-1/4. I saw these mods on another internet search and figured I'd try 'em. I re-installed everything and filled the reservoir with new fluid (I think that the first stuff I used was recycled trans fluid that I never recycled). I then started the engine, let it run for a minute then cycled the steering from lock to lock. The difference was amazing. At idle, the steering was faster and with less effort than before (which was awesome considering the 35" BFG's). With the old pump, the winch wouldn't even spin at idle. Now it can pull my 50 lb, 8 y.o. daughter up the driveway in high speed LOL. All in all, I think it may have been a combination of age and getting some garbage in the system that made the old pump take a powder. The new pump has surprisingly better performance than the old one.
As far as the Mile Marker hydro winch, I think I'm going to really like it. You can hear the pump load the engine when it runs, there's no heat, battery draw or duty cycle to worry about. Not getting rid of the 8274 yet but it's probably not going back on the front of the '63.
Thanks for all the help yet again. This is the best forum for shade trees like myself!