The Supercar Registry - 1969 Chevy Big Block P/S Pump Difference

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Chevrolet service info strongly warns against mixing conventional parts with variable ratio.

“The pump used on vehicles with variable ratio power steering provides increased fluid flow at higher pressure than the conventional pump. Consequently, the conventional pump and the pump used with the variable ratio system are not interchangeable. A new pump outlet hose is required on variable ratio power steering equipped cars.”

-1969 New Product Training Program Booklet

“Internally, the only physical difference between the variable ratio system and a conventional system is the rack and sector gears. However, higher power steering pump pressures are required so it was necessary to strengthen the steering linkage accordingly. The relay rod is now a larger diameter, and constructed of higher strength steel. The same is true for the pitman arm. Because of the substantially higher loads imposed on the steering linkage, variable ratio steering gears should not be installed on any past model cars.”

-1969 Product Review

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbentley (Post 1539542)

Purely comes down to do you want the engine to look like the engine came in the car originally? Or do you just want to do an engine swap? The power steering or any other component, for that matter, don’t know or care what they are in or which water pump used. But if you are going for a specific factory belongs there look, then stay with what is correct. Newer style brackets generally do have better adjusting for tension setups.

I should have prefaced my previous comments with the following: I was specifically speaking of only brackets as a means to adjust tension on belt. Not, piecing together a power steering system with mismatched components. Thanks

The power steering pump off a Cadillac looks a lot like the BB pump, but the inlet faces forward, fwiw.

Thanks Warren (and Bill)!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt S (Post 1539619)

The power steering pump off a Cadillac looks a lot like the BB pump, but the inlet faces forward, fwiw.

Thanks Warren (and Bill)!

Like this I believe.

and yes, thanks Warren & Bill, very helpful.
Anthony

Similar reservoir, taller tower. Caddy pumps I have seen in the past faced aft, as did the Chevy line-up. I might be missing something though.

OK, was just going by the above... I have no idea what it originally came off of but it fit nicely on my square body BB - the taller tower was helpful in that application, and yes, that is noticeable... it's listed for sale here too FYI everyone.

Cheers, and always nice to share information!
Anthony

Thanks for the info …. That’s is some very nice detailed information on the pumps … We’re there specific power steering boxes that the pumps were paired with on the solid lifter engines…Seems like on the 69 Novas most 396 375hp that I have ever ran across had manual steering…