Manual to power steering conversion? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

berghandler · 01-21-2022, 07:18 PM

I am attempting to convert a 1972 C10 2wd from manual to power steering. I have so far replaced the crankshaft pulley from a single sheeve to a triple sheeve pulley. I have ordered and assembled an after market power steering pump bracket and a reman pump and a pulley for it.
The problem I'm having is when I assemble and mount the bracket to the mounting holes in the small block with the pump also installed into this bracket and then run the existing separate v belt back to the alternator it rubs on the lower bracket mounting bolt head of the after market bracket. There is no way that I can see where to get any more clearance for the Alternator v belt. I could possibly relocate the Alternator some but that would mean customizing it's mounting bracket. That might give the V belt a different angle and more clearance but not for sure.
So just wondering if anyone out there has done this type of conversion and has had this problem and would have any ideas.
Thanks

Accelo · 01-21-2022, 07:48 PM

Often the mistake is on the power steering pump pulley.
Is the pulley on the pump pressed on or does it have a nut that retains it?

A picture would help.

RustyPile · 01-21-2022, 08:39 PM

I'm doing this from memory, and at 78 years old, that memory is subject to be flawed. Seems I remember some models had a double pulley on the power steering pump. One belt for the pump and another for the alternator that also ran in the second groove of the pump pulley. Installation procedure was to install both belts but leave them loose. Tighten the pump pulley first.. Then tighten the alternator belt.

berghandler · 01-21-2022, 10:46 PM

The pump pulley is retained by a nut. I do have another 70 C10 with power steering on it to use as a blue print. However the 70 has a factory power steering pump bracket which is much different then my aftermarket one on the 72 C10. The aftermarket one was all I could find after months of searching so I went with it. The location of the pump is not exactly the same with the aftermarket bracket as it is on the 70 C10.

berghandler · 01-21-2022, 10:49 PM

The pump pulley I have is a single groove pulley.

Accelo · 01-22-2022, 02:54 AM

I have the 70 bracket you are looking for.
PM me if interested.
It is a real pain to install because of the motor mount bolt.
Cheers.

01-21-2022, 07:18 PM	#1
berghandler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FOnd du Lac, WI. Posts: 32	Manual to power steering conversion? I am attempting to convert a 1972 C10 2wd from manual to power steering. I have so far replaced the crankshaft pulley from a single sheeve to a triple sheeve pulley. I have ordered and assembled an after market power steering pump bracket and a reman pump and a pulley for it. The problem I'm having is when I assemble and mount the bracket to the mounting holes in the small block with the pump also installed into this bracket and then run the existing separate v belt back to the alternator it rubs on the lower bracket mounting bolt head of the after market bracket. There is no way that I can see where to get any more clearance for the Alternator v belt. I could possibly relocate the Alternator some but that would mean customizing it's mounting bracket. That might give the V belt a different angle and more clearance but not for sure. So just wondering if anyone out there has done this type of conversion and has had this problem and would have any ideas. Thanks

01-21-2022, 07:48 PM	#2
Accelo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,157	Re: Manual to power steering conversion? Often the mistake is on the power steering pump pulley. Is the pulley on the pump pressed on or does it have a nut that retains it? A picture would help.

01-21-2022, 08:39 PM	#3
RustyPile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Elkhart, Texas Posts: 1,526	Re: Manual to power steering conversion? I'm doing this from memory, and at 78 years old, that memory is subject to be flawed. Seems I remember some models had a double pulley on the power steering pump. One belt for the pump and another for the alternator that also ran in the second groove of the pump pulley. Installation procedure was to install both belts but leave them loose. Tighten the pump pulley first.. Then tighten the alternator belt.

01-21-2022, 10:46 PM	#4
berghandler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FOnd du Lac, WI. Posts: 32	Re: Manual to power steering conversion? The pump pulley is retained by a nut. I do have another 70 C10 with power steering on it to use as a blue print. However the 70 has a factory power steering pump bracket which is much different then my aftermarket one on the 72 C10. The aftermarket one was all I could find after months of searching so I went with it. The location of the pump is not exactly the same with the aftermarket bracket as it is on the 70 C10.

01-21-2022, 10:49 PM	#5
berghandler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FOnd du Lac, WI. Posts: 32	Re: Manual to power steering conversion? The pump pulley I have is a single groove pulley.

01-22-2022, 02:54 AM	#6
Accelo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,157	Re: Manual to power steering conversion? I have the 70 bracket you are looking for. PM me if interested. It is a real pain to install because of the motor mount bolt. Cheers.



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