It’s not uncommon for people to want to add power steering to a vehicle that didn’t originally have it. Itemized below are the key pieces of equipment you will need to convert to power steering.  Part #’s will depend on your specific application.

  • Steering Gear
  • Pitman arm
  • Coupler
  • Steering Pump w/ reservoir
  • Pump Brackets
  • Hydraulic Lines/Hoses
  • Pump & Crankshaft pulley

Notes:

Waterpump differences dictate what style power steering pump brackets should be used.  Dates are pre-69 small block and pre-69 big block.  69 – 76 small block, 77+ small block.  69+ big block.

GM uses the saginaw style steering gear and pump.  These items are pretty much standard amongst GM models.

Gotchas on the steering pump are how the pulley is attached.  Some are keyed and some are retained with a nut.  The pulley will dictate which style pump you want.

Steering gears will often reference 3 or 4 bolt holes.  They interchange… if you have a 4 bolt gear – only 3 of the bolt holes will be used.  The 4th hole will be left open since most cars only use 3 bolts to secure the gear to the frame.

Subtle differences on the steering gear are the output shaft where the rag joint attaches – 2 sizes are typically used:  3/4″ and 13/16″.  Flair fittings in the steering gear are standardized, until ~1980 when the fitting begins using an O-ring and the threads are metric.

 

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