[truckboy61]

I got a 66 elky I swapped the original 327 for a 454 which I placed the power steering pump from the 327 on the 454 on passenger side because of space issues. The big block sat lower and power steering bolted fine on passenger side with little issues. I had new hoses made to accommodate for the move which had at least doubled the length of the hoses ! now when I run motor and shut off motor fluid shoots out of the reservoir so I changed cap to a non vented cap. I was thinking the additional fluid that fills double or triple length hoses is causing the over flow however the is a tremendous amount of return pressure ? How can I make this work?

[truckboy61]

I was thinking of using a catch can type idea that will gravity feed back through pump neck since back pressure causes over flow at shut down? any ideas?

[truckboy61]

power steering is foamy foamy foamy

[enjenjo]

The length of the hoses will not make a difference. Are you sure you have the right fluid? Water contamination?

[truckboy61]

using the local auto parts store brand ? could drain and use a different brand?

[daoldbuick]

If the fluid shoots back to the reservior when motor is shut off, it sound like something is expanding under pressure. Could the new hoses be not high pressure rated? GM pump put out a lot of pressure. Just a thought.

[truckboy61]

I had the hoses made at a shop that specializes is hydraulic fittings and repair on big rigs and tractors ? the hoses are really stout ?

[68NovaSS]

Read the "Fluid Overflow" portion of this article, might help.

[truckboy61]

After creating a gravity feed reservoir to hold additional fluid, pump still squeals horribly ? I cannot figure anything except the additional hose length and larger diameter hose are creating a situation in which the pump cannot keep up enough volume ? As a reminder the pump is the older style Saginaw pump from the original 327 sbc however it is new so the pumps condition does not appear to be the issue ? I really need to figure this out ? Pump would not bolt onto driver side it sat to low on steering box so Im not sure what options I have ? Is there a high volume pump that will keep up ?

[enjenjo]

I'll repeat, the length of the hose does not make a difference. One foot hose, or 20 foot hose uses the same volume. The pressure line will hook to the fitting on the steering box closest to the front of the truck. The return line is the other fitting on the pump. Is it hooked up this way? Having the lines reversed will cause the pump to squeal.

[truckboy61]

lines are hooked up correct ? Do you think a high flow pump is going wrong direction?

[truckboy61]

Is there anyway to verify if PS pump is correct one at the time I purchased the pump I didn't has the original to compare it with on hand ? would there be more than one possible pump for a original 327 in a El Camino?

[enjenjo]

The squeal is caused by the pressure relief valve cycling. It can be caused by a plugged hose, an obstruction in the steering box, a frozen valve in the steering box, reversed lines, a steering box at the end of it's travel. There are seveal pumps possible, but mechanically they are all the same.

[CHEVYRODS]

If your lines are hooked up correctly and the pump rotation is right. your new hoses may be to large,on most power steering units even heavy trucks the power steering lines are small.Also did you bleed the system after installing to get all the air out.Have to do this on all our trucks with new pump installs whether belt driven or gear driven units. None of them have your setup though. I have units with double steering boxes right and left hand drive but all the pumps are mounted on the left side.And the reservoir on all are large compacity. Sounds like this is your problem which is the small capacity pump is having to work to hard to meet the pressure needed .There is no way you can fab it up closer to the box?

[truckboy61]

I think part of the issue is the return pressure is low and pump empties before return can keep up? Maybe a fuel pump could return enough to keep up? Problem is at idle fuel pump stays constant?