Pump It Down....EASY

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Someone should explain to me how a car suddenly will steer straight and true by simply lowering the pump pressure.
The play causing a car to wonder is always somewhere in the wheel alignment, steeringbox, steering joint, balljoints, bearingplay and/or idler-arm bushing.

imo, lowering the pump's oil pressure would even increase play in the steeringbox. Try driving around without the v-belt on the pump and see how much more play there is in the steeringwheel.
 
BigBlockMopar said:
Someone should explain to me how a car suddenly will steer straight and true by simply lowering the pump pressure.
The play causing a car to wonder is always somewhere in the wheel alignment, steeringbox, steering joint, balljoints, bearingplay and/or idler-arm bushing.

imo, lowering the pump's oil pressure would even increase play in the steeringbox. Try driving around without the v-belt on the pump and see how much more play there is in the steeringwheel.
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It's not the play but the over-assist that the early Mopars have. Mine goes straight down the road but if you turn the wheel the slightest amount it will go that direction too easily. Too much pressure- too much assist. No road feel. GM had variable ratio steering boxes where Mopar didn't until later. Those boxes had more neutral position road feel than a standard box. The 60's Mopars had over assisted power brakes also.
 
toolmanmike said:
It's not the play but the over-assist that the early Mopars have. Mine goes straight down the road but if you turn the wheel the slightest amount it will go that direction too easily. Too much pressure- too much assist. No road feel. GM had variable ratio steering boxes where Mopar didn't until later. Those boxes had more neutral position road feel than a standard box. The 60's Mopars had over assisted power brakes also.
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I have a Federal pump on my '72 swinger, Do you have to remove the pulley to get to the pressure valve or can you get to it by removing the back of pump?
 
You don't have to remove the pulley, Just take a screw driver and pry the tank off the pump you will see the pressure valve take it out, mine only had one washer on it and I added two more from an old pump, My steering gear was already tight so if yours is loose you might to tighten it up.

Jeff
 
jeffnmo said:
You don't have to remove the pulley, Just take a screw driver and pry the tank off the pump you will see the pressure valve take it out, mine only had one washer on it and I added two more from an old pump, My steering gear was already tight so if yours is loose you might to tighten it up.

Jeff
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Thanks for the info, Will Modify!
 
jeffnmo said:
You don't have to remove the pulley, Just take a screw driver and pry the tank off the pump you will see the pressure valve take it out, mine only had one washer on it and I added two more from an old pump, My steering gear was already tight so if yours is loose you might to tighten it up.

Jeff
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How did you get the valve out of the pump? I removed the snap ring and it won't come out. Tried grabbing the "button" on top with pliers, beating on the pump with plastic hammer like FSM suggests....nuthin.
 
I pushed down on it several times and it finally popped out enough to grab, Hope this helps.

Jeff
 
Well ssg did you get it out? I have the same issue, it says it aint coming out! I bought a new pump for orieleys took it apart and it has three washers on it. should I still add some? I was gonna take em off the old pump but cant get the valve out!
 
Spray some wd-40 on it and push on it real quick a few times it should pop out enough to grab it, there're might be a ridge preventing from coming out. One I had popped right out and the other one I had to mess with for a while but it did come out, keep messin' with it you'll get and love the results.

Jeff
 
reddishdsb said:
Well ssg did you get it out? I have the same issue, it says it aint coming out! I bought a new pump for orieleys took it apart and it has three washers on it. should I still add some? I was gonna take em off the old pump but cant get the valve out!
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Negative. Gave up and put it back together so I can drive it. I'll attack it again over the winter.
 
Mine finally came out, two days of working with it and wd40 what a pain. added two washers will let you know how it drives once i get the rearend back in it. doing the 8.8 410 lsd swap also.
 
67autocross said:
I think Bergman Auto sells the spacers for under $20 for those who can't make some themselves.
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I just checked their website and $17 is not bad for those who want to just buy the shims, but $16 shipping on a $17 part seems like someone is taking crazy pills to me....:realcrazy: lol
 
MrJLR said:
While I'm waiting for some parts to get my engine back in, it was the perfect opportunity to do the "Pump It Down " modification to my power steering pump.

Already off the engine made it easier but still easy while in the car.

In the vise
View attachment 1714945013

Valve assembly out...
View attachment 1714945014

Stem disassembled

View attachment 1714945015

Little. 016 shim....
View attachment 1714945016

I'm lucky to work in a machine shop. ...made up some washers...
View attachment 1714945018

Stacked together. ...
View attachment 1714945020

Then just reassemble. ....
Honestly. ...it's easier than falling down drunk!

Jeff
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What pump is this one pictured? Mine on the 67 cuda I'd different.. Is mine a federal then? And it doesn't seem to have that valve piece on it, only in and out lines. I have a housing on the gear box that looks like there may be a valve in..?

1486239018277-310193025.jpg


1486239060480798361680.jpg
 
Not sure but i think the saginaw pump core listed for a slant sux has the pump pressure dialed down already. If so just buy a remanned pump core for a slanty.

I think i read somewhere that the stock pump pressures were around 1600 psi. Thats pretty frigging high. No wonder its got a floaty boaty feel.
 
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Not sure but i dont think you can put a saginaw pump in place of the federal pump using the saginaw pump brackets. Something about the pump hitting somewhere on the earlier K frame or something.
 
What about Retro-Fitting a Modern power steering pump? I saw a Article about it in my Mopar book.
 
jeffnmo said:
You don't have to remove the pulley, Just take a screw driver and pry the tank off the pump you will see the pressure valve take it out, mine only had one washer on it and I added two more from an old pump, My steering gear was already tight so if yours is loose you might to tighten it up.

Jeff
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Is the the valve body in the inside of the federal pump?

1486838107357433539108.jpg
 
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