Talk to me about power steering pumps

[Yooper74]

74 with a noisy power steering pump that probably needs a rebuild. Trying to decide if I want to save it our just get a new one. I have no need for anything to extreme. I'll be running 33-34" tires and it'll be a highway cruiser.

I rebuilt and changed the turns ratio on my steering box. Almost feel bad hooking up the old pump to it since it looks so nice.

 

[bigmuddy]

The saginaw pump is best for really any application which would require a new bracket.
Second is the Explorer pump if you have the serpentine system?

The stock pumps were usually whiny and noisy even with stock tires IMO.

 

[garberz]

Your old pump will likely contaminate your new box. A Saginaw style pump is a simple and great upgrade over the stock pump. An inline filter is good insurance too.

Mark

 

[Yooper74]

actually never thought about the contamination possibility. Don't want that to happen. Good point.

 

[tirewater]

If you don't mind using a non stock pump, then definitely go with the Saginaw. I'm trying to keep my engine bay looking mostly stock, and have suffered through several Thompson style new and rebuilt pumps in recent years. This is on a vehicle that only gets a few hundred miles a year.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Wouldn't call a saginaw non-stock. Ford used them in a lot of vehicles. Just not the Bronco.

 

[toddz69]

Wouldn't call a saginaw non-stock. Ford used them in a lot of vehicles. Just not the Bronco.

Very true - and for seemingly random reasons. For example, they used Saginaw pumps in the vans for many years while using Thompson and C-II pumps in the pickups. Why???? Also used them in many full-size cars in the 70s.

Todd Z.

 

[nvrstuk]

Very true - and for seemingly random reasons. For example, they used Saginaw pumps in the vans for many years while using Thompson and C-II pumps in the pickups. Why???? Also used them in many full-size cars in the 70s.

Todd Z.

Why? Because it's FORD... I am often amazed at what strange and different things Ford engineers did on production vehicles.... no ryhme or reason

 

[1970 Palmer]

Why? Because it's FORD... I am often amazed at what strange and different things Ford engineers did on production vehicles.... no ryhme or reason

In any corporation I think the front line engineers only make a small percentage of the choices.

It's really the "bean counters" and the "inventory logistics' guys" that make most of the final choices.

Just my guess

John