How To Upgrade Your G-Body Steering on the Cheap

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,992
113
Socialist NY
you should test the actual pressure the ps pump is putting out........or eat alot of this

Popeye-Wallpaper.jpg
It's sad that most people today don't even know who Popeye is besides chicken!
 
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Reactions: 2 users

ElJoemino

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Aug 8, 2017
35
4
8
you should test the actual pressure the ps pump is putting out........or eat alot of this

Popeye-Wallpaper.jpg
How would I go about testing the pressure besides unhooking the line and turning over motor and watching it spew out?
 

ElJoemino

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Aug 8, 2017
35
4
8
Not sure if this will help, but I'm doing an LS swap on my 85 SS and going thru steering suspension etc. The 5.3l power steering pump is for rack & pinion and I know they run at some different pressures etc. I already have an IROC steering box for the SS and going to go with a power steering pump & reservoir for a 3rd gen Camaro (AC Delco 36P1265). I have read that the valve, spring pressures are different compared to the 5.3l pumps. Problem is you can't just buy the valve & springs anymore. The reason I'm going this way is I have the same setup in my 85 IROC and the steering works great (245/50/16 tires). The 85 MCSS/El Camino power steering pump is a different part # (36P1254) than the Camaro. Different pump & valving/pressure.
Thanks for the info.. Will the AC Delco 36P1265 bolt up the same on camino?
Well I guess I should be clear on my pump. The last time I changed the p.s. pump it seemed to be working fine. Had to put 2 reman boxes in and 1 used (jeep) then the new jeep box. I wasn't having any problems with the steering with any of the boxes until the last. I always flushed the system and tires off the ground procedure. The only other thing I can mention is I always have a hard time getting all the air out. It takes forever.
Thanks again guys..
 

ostrich

Master Mechanic
Aug 27, 2012
310
313
63
Ontario, Canada
The pump should bolt up. The bolt pattern looks the same. I haven't done mine yet, but pretty confident with it. The 5.3l pump has the same bolt pattern.
 

ElJoemino

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Aug 8, 2017
35
4
8
The pump should bolt up. The bolt pattern looks the same. I haven't done mine yet, but pretty confident with it. The 5.3l pump has the same bolt pattern.
I will give it a try when I am able to buy one. Thanks a million.
Where is the best place to buy a new hood with the 2" cowl? I am trying to make it an SS replica. I am also wanting 2" lowering springs but it seems those are hard to find.. O and if anybody knows where I can get the outside part of the wiper motor (the delay and washer board) I would greatly appreciate it.
 

ElJoemino

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Aug 8, 2017
35
4
8
I have had the JGC steering box on for a while now and I am still having issues with the steering...I have had everything replaced under the front end and every time I get into a groove on the road it will pull me. I still have a little slack in the steering wheel. I have tried to tighten the box up but that only helped a very small amount. The car will also not straighten up on its own..If I have the wheel turned a small amount it will stay there.Big turns will bring it back toward center but never does it center. Like my 2000 4x4 Chevy truck.. I have previously backed off the adjustment screw/bolt and that wasn't the cause for it to stick. I guess that's a good term..lol..I have had it to a front end shop a few times and all is good. It still may be my box I guess. Does anyone else have this issue?
 

pontiacgp

blank
Mar 31, 2006
29,270
20,391
113
Kitchener, Ontario
I have had the JGC steering box on for a while now and I am still having issues with the steering...I have had everything replaced under the front end and every time I get into a groove on the road it will pull me. I still have a little slack in the steering wheel. I have tried to tighten the box up but that only helped a very small amount. The car will also not straighten up on its own..If I have the wheel turned a small amount it will stay there.Big turns will bring it back toward center but never does it center. Like my 2000 4x4 Chevy truck.. I have previously backed off the adjustment screw/bolt and that wasn't the cause for it to stick. I guess that's a good term..lol..I have had it to a front end shop a few times and all is good. It still may be my box I guess. Does anyone else have this issue?

if there is no slack in any of the front end components and you have slack in the box then you need to check the pressure the pump is putting out. The box has nothing to do with the wheel returning to center, that depends on your caster setting.
 
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Reactions: 1 user

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
13,046
24,216
113
Not sure if this will help, but I'm doing an LS swap on my 85 SS and going thru steering suspension etc. The 5.3l power steering pump is for rack & pinion and I know they run at some different pressures etc. I already have an IROC steering box for the SS and going to go with a power steering pump & reservoir for a 3rd gen Camaro (AC Delco 36P1265). I have read that the valve, spring pressures are different compared to the 5.3l pumps. Problem is you can't just buy the valve & springs anymore. The reason I'm going this way is I have the same setup in my 85 IROC and the steering works great (245/50/16 tires). The 85 MCSS/El Camino power steering pump is a different part # (36P1254) than the Camaro. Different pump & valving/pressure.
I'm getting to this point on my 85 Bonne project. Are you sure you have this right? If so, I'm good, but I think you have it backwards. Assuming that 5.3 came from a truck, they have boxes not racks. My donor 02 Firebird was a rack, and that is the pump I have. Will it work with a box or not?:wtf:
 

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