Steering box.

[Rt Jam]

Are you willing to grind an old steering box?

My return line fitting from the power steering reservoir is very close to a rib on my steering box. I want to grind the rib or boss off for clearance.
Before I do I just want to confirm there is nothing under there like an oil passage or something. It's a low mileage quick ratio box. I'd rather check on a throw away steering box before grinding and potentially ruining it.

 

[86 Salon]

Just carefully bend the line up a little. That line won't move after it's installed so as long as it's not touching the box, it should be ok. I actually just enlarged your picture and it looks like the line is bent down and kinked. I would just replace that line and put the proper bend in it.

 

[DSPbuilt]

They make aluminum reservoirs for those. Might be a better option. You can essentially put the return anywhere you need.

 

[Rt Jam]

The nipple sticking out of the Holley power steering reservoir is a hard plastic. Bending will probably break it.

I took the reservoir off to pursue the remote reservoir idea. There is no threads, just a shallow cavity that is waiting for a short barb on the reservoir, the orange o ring seals it.
Not sure what I can reliably stick in there and expect it to stay. Probably doable by fabricating a bracket or something but the fact is, not easily. I think I am back to clearancing the rib on the steering box.

Who has a scrap box we can grind down? I will pay you.

 

[64nailhead]

You could put a fitting in place of the plastic elbow. But it would require cutting off the original and most likely void the warranty.

That’s the same style piece of plastic as found in factory truck manifolds. I’ve put NPT fittings in place of many of the manifold nipples.

 

[86 Salon]

When I replied to your post, I was looking at the steel line in the gear. I didn't see the plastic nipple in the reservoir! I guess I should have put my glasses on! I see no reason not to grind that rib a little for clearance, but it looks like the line may still hit the rest of the gear unless you install an angle fitting on the hose. I does look like the short steel line in the steering gear is kinked and should be replaced.

 

[DSPbuilt]

it even already has another fitting location on the bottom…

JEGS 60731: Type II GM Power Steering Pump Reservoir [Fabricated Aluminum, Clear Anodized] - JEGS

Get the Best Performance with JEGS Type II GM Power Steering Pump Reservoir [Fabricated Aluminum, Clear Anodized] 60731 parts at JEGS. Shop Now at the Guaranteed Lowest Price!

www.jegs.com