beefing up power steering

[solomaxhd]

I have seen on websites selling a gm style power steering that works better for bigger tires. I would like to know what GM vehicle that had the same pump in it that the websites are selling. I realize that i'll need the different bracket and pulley but i think the ford lines will work the same. any ideas would be great, thanks.

 

[Broncobill78]

Can't help with and suggestions for stuff from Brand-X but have you considered upgrading to a Saginaw pump from an E-series van or F-250/350 (as well as late 70's LTD's & Country Squire wagons) ?

 

[solomaxhd]

that would be a good possibility, do the pumps out the econlines and/or the ltd's work in the same bracket that the brocno pump does?

 

[Broncobill78]

Well, yes & no. Unfortunately Ford is a little different from Brand-X in this regard. Accessory brackets don't generally swap between different engine families/displacements without modification. If you have a 302 and can find a van or other donor with a 302 or 351W then it's a bolt-in, unfortunately most of the Sag pumps I've seen have been on 351M/400/429/460 engines. The first time I swapped a Saginaw pump I put it onto a 351M in a 78' Bronco and I was able to find a 78' Country Squire wagon that had a 400 so it was a no-brainer. If you can't find a matching donor engine from the same family then you can usually elongate or redrill some of the holes in the bracket and make it work & sometimes you can get away with swapping the saginaw pump onto the Ford pump bracket, you just have to be able to pull the pulley off & press it back on (it's not always that simple but sometimes you can get away with it). I think some of the early 70's F100's & 150's with 302's also used this pump. If you have one or more large wrecking yards nearby then I'd take some time & wander about. Chances are you'll be able to find something that works, either way you go it'll probably be easier to look for a proper donor or modify something sourced from a Ford than it will be to try & make GM parts work. One from a Ford will be setup to work with your existing hoses & I think James Duff used to sell a bracket for exactly this swap.

I know your truck is an Early Bronco but to get an idea of what's involved in mofifying something from a Ford donor here's a good write-up on doing this with a 78'/79':

http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/article/...l.jsp?id=198388

 

[S_bolt19]

Are you wanting both pump & box? If you need the box, do the 4x4x2 conversion. It is stronger than the original EB box and West Coast Broncos sells the kit, they also have an explanation on how to do a junkyard build for it on their website.

 

[Seabronc]

Just a comment: After doing a Saginaw conversion on my FSB, it steers easier than my wife's Mazda. In fact easier than most vehicles I have driven, maybe too easy, it takes a light touch on the road which makes for a relaxing trip rather than hanging on to the steering wheel for dear life while your hands cramp up. Since I didn't have a bracket from a 80 - 86 E series van, I fabricated mine by joining the 78 bracket that came with the pump with the one on my truck, ( a little cutting and welding) plus making a bolt spacer. http://www.supermotors.net/registry/212/51037-4

Good luck,

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A lot of manufacturers used the Saganaw pump, but it is definately easier if you can get the bracket that matches your engine. In that case it is almost a drop in. /