Power steering support.

[Proud83ElCaminoOwner]

Hello everyone! I just got done rebuilding a 305 for my 1983 Chevy El Camino. The engine is back in the car and I need help figuring out the power steering bracket This is what I have so far but I am open to suggestions. I am not putting A/C back on for the time being and without the vertical bracket for it, the P/S pump has back and forth movement. And I am also putting on headers. So I was thinking that maybe I either get some tube type spacers for behind the old vertical bracket and then get some nuts and all threads and make it work or maybe bend up some 1/4" plate steel and bolt it between the old horizontal A/C bracket I have spacing it and the pump bracket. If anyone has any input and advice and even pictures, that would be great. Thanks!

 

[Longroof79]

Welcome aboard! Why not take a picture of the brackets that you have and we'll help you identify them, and where they go.
Running headers, you'll need a long exhaust stud (in place of a header bolt) and spacer to help support the upright bracket.

 

[Proud83ElCaminoOwner]

Thanks for the reply! So this is what I have so far.

 

[Longroof79]

You have the proper brackets. I see you already have the horizontal brace/ bracket bolted on. The bracket in pic #2 usually bolts onto the exhaust manifold...in your case headers, and onto the horizontal brace. In pic#2, you'll notice an adjustment slot. That slot is where the power steering pump also bolts to..where your finger points to. Using headers, you will need to add a longer stud to the left side exhaust threaded hole...and also a spacer. This will compensate for the thicker stock exhaust manifold. You won't need to use both holes on the bracket, just the left side one.
I can take some pics tomorrow if that will help make it clearer for you.
This is all fresh in my mind because I was recently assembling these brackets for my power steering pump and A/C compressor. My upright bracket is a little different than yours...it's longer.

 

[Proud83ElCaminoOwner]

I understand what you are saying. I will take you up on your offer for pictures so that I can have a visual. Also how long should the spacer be? And should it be just big enough for the stud to fit in it or give it more width to but up against the bracket?

 

[Longroof79]

Here's a link to the thread regarding A/C brackets. I think you'll find some of the pics helpful. I'll try to get one or two more for you sometime today.

https://gbodyforum.com/threads/r4-a-c-compressor-bracket-configuration.56010/

 

[Longroof79]

Here's two more pictures. The spacer is approx. 1.25" and the stud is 2 3/8" off the header flange...probably 2.5" length overall. You probably have to factor in the extra 1/4" that's threaded into the head. My spacer was an old bronze valve guide that fit perfectly...only that I had to shorten it a bit. You'll also notice on the bracket that one of the mounting ears were cut off...that's how I got it from my friend. That shouldn't present any problem whatsoever.

 

[Proud83ElCaminoOwner]

Sorry for the delay in response. Thank you very much for the response and the pictures! They helped a lot. I mocked up some of it and I am confident in the set up. But now I have in what is in my mind another problem. The instructions on the headers said to use the sock manifolds for the break in. But now I have nowhere for the dipstick. The engine is a 76-79 305 and the dip stick is on the driver side in the block. And the heads are the original 83 heads to the 83 block in my 83 El Camino along with the exhaust manifolds. Right now I have the dipstick hole plugged. But is there a difference between 83 heads and exhaust manifolds compared to the 76-79 heads and exhaust manifolds?