[Neophyte]

The 91 350 SBC TBI motor I bought a few months ago also came with a power steering pump but the steering box in the car where I'm gonna use the motor is still a normal manual steering box. I don't however want to remove the pump from the motor as it will mean that I must try and get a shorter serpentine belt. Can I somehow safely run with the pump disconnected without damage? I'm on the lookout for a power steering box so I will want to use it at some stage. Can the pump be run dry or will I have to install a fluid reservoir and "loop" the "input" and "output" pipes?

[astroracer]

Don't run the pump dry... It'll burn up and cause more headaches then getting a shorter belt. Looping the system into a resevoir isn't safe either because of the high output side pressure. You would be farther ahead to get a power box and put it on while changing motors.
Mark

[Neophyte]

Thanks Mark,

I plan to try have the car finished by Feb/March so hipefully I can find a power box soon enough.