power steering not working after swap?

[jmdemon55]

i swapped out my manual box for a 70 power box. found a pump from what is supposed to be from a 71? got everything hooked up but still no power steering? got the pump used from ebay as well as the box used from ebay. 2 different purchases. the pressure hose has the "larger" threaded fitting into the box correct? kinda stumped why its not working. thinking maybe the pump is no good? has anyone ever heard of the gearbox being bad as far getting power? i filled the resevoir and with the wheels jacked up turned it slowly lock to lock and the fluid went down. refilled to proper level but still nothin. the hose doesnt surge no "noise" when you hold it against the lock? pulled the hoses and drained the fluid, it was very dirty for being just filled with new fluid, blew thru the lines and the box nothing seems plugged up. hooked it all back up refilled and turned lock to lock still the same. any suggestions? thanks, Jay

[brianthelion02]

Sounds like a bad pump to me. Usually they will whine till the air bubbles are out of the fluid.

[Classic Heartbeat]

You did start the engine right...lol Just kidding! I would have to agree. Probably a bad pump. At least if you are not hearing it wine. They do that untill all the air is worked out of the systom. WES

[jmdemon55]

lol yes i did start the engine! lol i thought o shoot i didnt put " with the engine running " after i posted. i found an old style pump in my parts bucket and i am going to try to do a bracket swap and give it another go. seems like everything we do on this truck is a "do over" ???? guess practice makes perfect!?!?!? thanks guys for the quick replys!!

[Copperman]

I just completed the same swap last month. Yes, the larger thread is the pressure line.

As most have said its probably the pump. But it seems to me that if your fluid is going down after filling something must be helping that fluid along. Cranking it up and going lock to lock right off the bat might be a little aggressive for bleeding the lines. Regardless if you get a new pump or not, id follow the service manuals instructions for bleeding.

1. Fill the pump til the stick shows full and wait a few minutes. Recheck and top off.
2. Start the engine for only a few seconds then turn off. Check and refill.
3. Follow #2 until the level stays full.
4. Then, follow this procedure with the wheels jacked up turning lock to lock. Check and refill until it stays full.
5. Then repeat with the vehicle on the ground.

Seems like a lot but it will ensure you don't have any air in the system.

Im not saying thats your problem, but it could be. Either way its a better procedure for bleeding.

Good luck, this conversion is awesome. Its funny to get excited about power steering in 2012 but I got sick to death yanking my steering wheel around in parking lots!

[Sammy]

More than likely bad pump but there is some important stuff behind the pressure fitting on the gear box fitting. It has a small screen too I think, they get stopped up and can prevent the circulation of the fluid. Easy to blow out with some compressed air for piece of mind before you throw more coin at it.

[shawno72]

Great info Copperman!!

[GASoline71]

If you have another pump and don't want to do a bracket swap... you can remove the pump from the reservoir and install it in the reservoir of the one you want to use. You can get a reseal kit for the pump and reservoir from any auto parts store.

I have been using the same pump reservoirs in all my SBC's that originally came with the engines. Just swap the pumps only.

Gary

[jmdemon55]

thanks for all the info everyone! i swapped over the brackets from a big block chevelle pump i had. everything swapped over just fine except the fitting for the pressure line. they were 2 different styles. i ran back home and found some other hoses i had and everything fit quite nicely. (Love my Chevrolets!) did the bleeding method listed above and low and behold the old truck has power steering!!! i think my dad was starting to doubt me as he asked where is that old manual box you took off? i laughed and told him just let me give this a go, you will thank me later. its good to see the old man smile once in awhile. thanks again everyone! Jay

[shawno72]

[Copperman]

Originally Posted by jmdemon55

low and behold the old truck has power steering!!!

Awesome! Congrats.