Topic: Power steering - More problems 12/15/08

[rkellerjr]

I am specifically looking for picures of the power steering bracketry.  I have pics of the alternator shown below.  Can anyone help me out?  The engine is a '77 400 Pontiac (I think Lemans, not Firebird but I'm not sure it makes a difference).







Engine pic courtesy of fb_rider

[ta78w72]

So, FB Rider has an earlier 77?

[rkellerjr]

I don't know but the bracketry in that picture is the late model bracketry that matches the late model pulleys.  I have the late model pulleys but whoever put the engine together put early model brackets on it.  This causes the belts to be misaligned and I've had to put spacers in to compensate which puts a lot more stress on the bolts.

So, I'm looking for the late model brackets to match my late model pulleys.  Hitman has a late model alternator bracket as shown above so, I'm looking for the steering pump brackets.

[rkellerjr]

OK, here's the service manual pic of the '75 which looks right.  I'm in need of these brackets.

[turbota400]

I may have an extra power steering bracket.  The one i have is the one right behind the lower pump in you picture.  I don't know if I have the one on the front of the pump.  Give me about 30 min and I'll let you know what I have.

[rkellerjr]

The more I look at that picture the more I'm confused between the two setups and what I actually need.

[Hitman]

What I think you might be getting confused about is that you have a 1977 motor yet you are looking at the 1975 Service Manual.

[turbota400]

PM sent, Rich.

[rkellerjr]

Looks like I do not have the right power steering pump now    I talked with a friend today (Hammer of 78ta) and he believes it is a chevy pump.  The problem is that the bracket that hooks to the head has two flanges where bolts from the pump are suppose to go through.  The pump only has one and the "return line?" hits the inside flange and won't allow the front bracket to align with the alternator bracket.



The red arrow shows the flange and the green arrow shows the "return line" that hits that flange.  There is no bolt hold for that flange either.






This is the steering pump that looks like the right one...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=A1C&MfrPartNumber=206876&PartType=251&PTSet=A


Thoughts? ? ? ? ?

P.S.  Anyone want to buy a slightly used 1975 Trans Am?!

[ta78w72]

Just buy a new pump.  They're not that expensive and you'll know what you've got will be good.  Those brackets look right to me....but that pump is something out of a Mel Brooks movie.

[Clint s]

That pump is definatly not right.  The earlier pumps kind of look like that (early 70's), .  The bracket  looks like the right one as far as I can tell

[Eagle 1]

There is also a spacer that goes on that long bolt, behind the alternator.
I agree, thats the wrong pump.

[ta78w72]

Hey Eagle1....I know about that one spacer that goes with the alternator, but I also remember another spacer for the power steering pump....am I "spaced out" here?

[Grand73Am]

I believe that pump goes back to the 60's. I've got pumps from 67 that have that style of reservoir.

The rear bracket looks wrong too. I'll put up some pics in a minute.

[Grand73Am]

Here they are. This is for a standard alternator. You don't have the big 80 amp alternator do you, since that might make a difference?
The engine pic is my 75 Lemans, but I've looked it up in my pontiac parts catalog and the brackets are the same for F and A bodys. Can't tell much about your front bracket to tell if it's right. So, here are 3 pics, one with the all 3 brackets, including alternator plate(#499749), and the 2 pump brackets, a close-up of a rear bracket, and my engine pic.