Does this look/sound right?

[Chief Master Sergeant]

I am attempting to add power steering and bought the WH Pump Bracket. I fought all day yesterday with a pump that just won't work and during all this I realized the bottom bolt hole, used for the tension bracket won't line up. I took several pictures in an attempt to show you what I'm seeing. Perhaps I have this installed incorrectly or it's a problem with the bracket itself. Dirtdonk has been helping me through PMs, but I can't send him pictures that way. Perhaps Paul can see what I'm describing in these pics and offer some advice. In a couple of the pics you'll see that the bottom bolt is angled and resting on the bracket hole it's supposed to mate to. In the third picture you'll see that I haven't tightened the top bolt to block down. If I do, the main bracket cannot swivel down onto the bottom bracket. Even loose like this it's a tight fit. When it's pulled down, the gap at the top opens up even wider, which leads me to believe somethings not right with the bracket. Before someone asks, I did try to shim the bottom bolt of the water pump bracket, but even then, I cannot install the bolt for the tensioner.

 

[broncnaz]

Seems like its been a common issue with a lot of these brackets quite a few of them have been off a little. Not sure if people are sending them back or just modifing. I'd probably just open up the slot so the bolt fits properly.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Seems like its been a common issue with a lot of these brackets quite a few of them have been off a little. Not sure if people are sending them back or just modifing. I'd probably just open up the slot so the bolt fits properly.

Yeah, but I shouldn't have to do this. Not bashing the vendor at all, but expect the bracket to work as advertised. I know they stand by their products, so unless someone has an idea of how to make this work without serious modification I will contact them tomorrow. Does it look like it's installed correctly?

 

[broncnaz]

Yes it installed correctly. Not other way to really install it. and your right you shouldnt have to modify but there has been a lot of simliar issues with those brackets. basically its either wait for a new one and hope its correct or modify what you have and drive sooner. I dont know how many issues the vender has had wirth these brackets but there are several posts about issues on them so it may be in yours and future customers best interest to at least notify them of the issue even though they do frequent the board.
I was lucky my PS bracket fit perfect on the other hand the brake booster bracket I bought had to be modified so I could close my hood. Had I had a good example to check out I would have just built my own.

 

[Kyle.malone]

I just bought a belt to match. It did take a couple of trips to the parts store for buy and return, but it seems to work. The belt number I got was 7495XL.

 

[gr8scott]

I just bought a belt to match. It did take a couple of trips to the parts store for buy and return, but it seems to work. The belt number I got was 7495XL.

Hey Kyle,
Do you know the overall length of that belt? When I installed my WH quick ratio kit I needed a
longer-than-stock belt, NAPA had 9495XL which is the right length, but it doesn't fit
the pulleys right. Its too tall. I was wondering if 7495XL would "fit" the pulleys better. TIA, Scott

 

[Crawdad]

Chief,
I feel your pain! I finally put all the pieces together this past weekend. In fact I just made my 5th and final trip to 3 Advance Autos before I got the right belt. I'll be honest with ya, I started out like you installing the bracket. But I couldn't install the PS pump with pulley (PS motor was in the way). So I ended up bolting the pump onto the bracket. I installed PS pump/ bracket and the pulley didn't line up, about 3/8s off. So I took bracket/ pump off and cut off about 3/8s off long tube (pivot tube taht attaches to header). Re-installed bracket/ pump (this step was getting easier!!) and the bottom screw would not line up. So I backed up and unscrewed/ loosened the two water pump bolts and loosened the pivot screw. At that point I was able to line up that bottom screw. Once it was started I tightened all the other bolts. Put on the new belt and tightened it up. Sometime this week I plan to add PS fluid. I hope this may help you out some!

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Crawdad...did your bracket sit like I described mine sitting? If you don't mind me asking, what pump and what belt did you pick up? Part numbers handy? I'm confident WH will help me resolve this, as they always have. I was hoping it was something simple, but I just can't get this thing to work.

p.s. After re-reading your post, I understand what you're saying (Many beers tonight). I'll loosen all the bolts and try what you recommend tomorrow after work. Thanks! Still need those part numbers though.

 

[Crawdad]

Morning Chief,
Your set up looks the same as mine, only diff is the fact mine is on a 351W motor. I have that extra lil adaptor bracket on the header. But the set up is same. As far as part #s they should be the same even if they are different motors. What part #s do you need? I got the pulley and fitting from Napa for like $36. I do plan to get the PS in-line filter from Autozone. I will get you the part #s when I get off work today. I am also using a rebuilt dual-return Sagi pump that happenned to be one of Scrapman's.

I need to get with Scrapman and find out which return goes to the PS motor and which one I need to plug for later use. I'll hitcha back later this afternoon.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Thanks brother.

 

[Crawdad]

Did you do a dry fit on a bench to see if all the pieces actually fit together? The way that bottom bolt (adjustment bolt) is angled gives me the heebee geebees. I feel confident if you loosen those two water pump bolts out about 1/2", pull that bracket out a lil bit and then try and wiggle the adjustment bolt into the thread. Once you get that bolt in about a 1/2" you are home free.

This may actually be the first of your issues I'm afraid. Getting the pulley to match your crank will be fun. Hopefully yours will line up perfectly, mine was a pain.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

I managed to get the pump on the bracket and it was slightly off alignment. I think it was maybe 1/2 inch toward the cab. Hard to tell exactly how far off it is with the way the bracket contorts when you rotate the pump downward. Once I get the bracket situation taken care of I'll be able to see truly how bad the alignment is off.

 

[Crawdad]

I managed to get the pump on the bracket and it was slightly off alignment. I think it was maybe 1/2 inch toward the cab. Hard to tell exactly how far off it is with the way the bracket contorts when you rotate the pump downward. Once I get the bracket situation taken care of I'll be able to see truly how bad the alignment is off.

This may help you a little. I used one washer in b/ the PS pump and bracket on the rightside (behind pulley). And the bottom left bolt I used 4-5 washers (those washers varied in thickness). Like I said it was a lot easier putting all these pieces together on a bench than inside the engine compartment. My install would have been easier if I removed the radiator. But I didn't want to deal with those pesky tranny lines again.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

As expected, Wild Horses is sending out a new bracket today. I've never had a problem with them standing behind their products. Did you ever run down the part number for the belt you're using? I see you're using one of Scrapman's pumps. I may have to get one myself. Did you have to notch the bracket to use this pump?

 

[Crawdad]

As expected, Wild Horses is sending out a new bracket today. I've never had a problem with them standing behind their products. Did you ever run down the part number for the belt you're using? I see you're using one of Scrapman's pumps. I may have to get one myself. Did you have to notch the bracket to use this pump?

I haven't made it home yet! Trust me I wanna go home!!!! Its 2pm on the east coast so its prolly noon ur time. I have a notebook with all the part #s for ya when I get home. I did have to notch mine out on the mill to accept the bigger reservoir pump. I bought my PS pump from a fella who never used his PS pump. He said it was never installed and was rebuilt by Scrapman. I saw Scrapman selling rebuilt ones the other day for $85, dont know if that was for a single or double return. A lil more advice, sand off any rust on the pulley shaft and add a tiny bit of lube, makes it so much easier to slide on. You will notice I slid a sleeve over the pivot screw. I didn't like the fact that I have a 1/2" hole and putting 3/8" bolt thru. Call me anal but I like the way it fits snug. Here is a pic of the cut-out.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Great idea on sleeving the pivot bolt. What did you use? I know exactly what you mean. Seems like a lot of movement there.

 

[Crawdad]

I was able to get a sleeve made from aluminum, 1/2" tubing 0.028th thick. I'm slowly wallowing it out with a 29/64ths drill bit. It may be 4"-5" long. It was tuff to hold in place. Eventually I viced one end of the tube and slowly drilled out the other end till I was satisfied with depth. Go to http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187439&page=3 thread #32 for pic.

 

[Crawdad]

Hope this helps ya out Chief!

As requested:

Napa
PS Pressure Hose: NPS 71533 $23.99
Tube Connection/ Fitting: WH 1563 $13.29
PS Pump Pulley: NPS 73077 $22.49

AutoZoneDuralast PS Filter: Part # 2210 $12.99

Advance Auto:
Powercraft PS End Fitting: Part # 39135 $4.29
Top Cog Alt V-Belt: Part # 15405 apprx $15
Draw Rite PS V-Belt: Part # 45515 apprx $15

 

[bad 68]

This won't help Chief master sargent but it might help others. Toms Bronco sells thier own version of the Saginaw pump bracket and the kit comes with a belt. It fits PERFECT with no modifications and no trips to the parts store to buy/exchange belts. Wild Horses sold me a wornout power stearing gearbox for $700. I took it in the rear and they will never get a chance to screw me again.
Toms bracket is first quality. Just take a look online.