I am putting a 235 into a 46 Chevy P/U and due to the folks driving it will need to add power steering. I have a gen/power steering pump set up off of a 58 car. Will bolt up and look great on the 235. Here's the question. Does that '58 p/s pump have enough pressure and flow to run a Saginaw p/s box from a 1986 P/U? Or is there a clean and reliable way to neatly add p/s and an alternator to the 235? I want to maintain simplicity and really like the gen/ power steering combo unit as it will look like it belongs there. The 46 p/u is retaining the straight axle and will be used as a truck when completed. Interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Much as I dig the nostalgia kick I don't think I would do it that way. I'm pretty sure I have seen a conversion to put modern flat belt on your motor with modern alternator and PS pump.That would be a better more reliable setup, bearing in mind the truck will be driven by people with disabilities. Then there are new type electric power steering conversions that go in the steering column. That might be the simplest solution of all. Then you would only need a heavy duty alternator to complet the ensemble.
Those early pumps moved a slave cylinder, not an integral steering box. My Nomad, when the pump shelled itself and I had no power steering, steered almost as easily as it did with power. My guess is that the integral boxes need a lot more pressure than the slave cylinder, but that is just a guess.
Thank you all for the replies to this point. Rusty: I hear ya but have yet to see a set of brackets I like and while I am handy with the TIG torch and mill not really liking what I have come up with myself. I have considered using electric if it can be disguised. Will look into that. OJ. Gen is a 12v. I am converting the truck from 6v. Arkie. You nailed it and is why I am asking the question. I like the simplicity of the combo gen / PS unit and will look "periodish" under the hood. Truck doesn't get driven with the hood off but really want to maintain this as much as a sorta original looking truck as possible that pays homage to what it is. Plans are for 2 single barrels on an Offy intake with Fenton headers backed w a T-5 and drive the hell out of it. Thanks again fellas
I'm new on this forum, new '58 Apache owner as well, and am also researching the power steering solution. One solution I have found is using this bracket from Performance Online - https://www.performanceonline.com/P...tor-Bracket-Kit-Chevy-216-and-235-6-Cylinder/. And this power steering conversion kit from Cl***ic Performance - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clp-cpp5559pskoc/overview/. HotRod magazine has a good step by step in replacing the steering box - http://www.hotrod.com/articles/power-steering-for-straight-axles/. I'm looking the 12 volt generator/power steering setup too. Didn't consider that the pump wouldn't supply enough pressure to the 400 Series power steering box. So I guess I'm sharing my research and still considering both power steering pump options, and following this post to watch for any other feedback. Thanks to everyone. Keith
One more thing to consider. Most of the PS/generator setups I have seen, used dual belts because a single belt was not enough to handle the load. If that is the case with your unit you will need a dual drive pulley on the engine and suitable belts. They come as a matched pair, you can't just buy 2 the same size. On the pressure question. The pressure is regulated by a valve in the steering box. The only concern of the pump itself is the capacity or volume. I don't think it would be a problem but you would need to compare the pressure and volume of the 2 systems to be sure.
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