Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

[Edward J.]

Guys I brought a kit many years ago and am having a problem with pulley alignment , the kit was for a 63 /300hp.
so my question has any one does this on there car and know which pulleys I may need and belt length.

[Richard G.]

Re: Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

Did the kit include all the pulleys including the alternator pulley?

How about the 6 quart pan? Isn't it to large for the p/s cylinder to clear or was it the dampener cylinder that needed the room?

[Kent S.]

Re: Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

As mentioned you'll need to solve the oil pan issue (with a low horsepower pan). In addition, you will need a different pulley for the pump since the harmonic balancer on the 340 HP is much thicker than the 300 HP. I believe your vendor should be able to supply a pump with the correct pulley. I ran into this when I installed PS on a '63 that had a later ('68) 350 HP motor. The vendor could supply just the pulley but it would require pressing the old one off and new one on...just easier to trade pumps.

[Edward J.]

Re: Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

I looks like I will need a p/strg. pulley and crank pulley. I was thinking the 327/350 hp. p/strg. pulley and crank pulley?? I do have the oil pan and all hyd. parts, the pump is keyed so I won't need to press off or on.

[Kent S.]

Re: Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

If memory serves, that's the combination you need. I'd check my car, but I've since installed a '63 300 HP. motor and sold the old one. BTW - PS is one of the best things I've done to my '63.

[Richard G.]

Re: Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

Would love to see a picture of the finished product.

Dropping the P/S option on a modern Z06 would even be a consideration.
The early 60 were different times.
Don't forget to re-position the tie rods ends to the inner holes if it isn't there already.

You will like the new p/s. Like having a different car.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

Guys I brought a kit many years ago and am having a problem with pulley alignment , the kit was for a 63 /300hp.
so my question has any one does this on there car and know which pulleys I may need and belt length.

Ed------


You're proposing a conversion to an installation that was never available in PRODUCTION. Nevertheless, I think it can be done with stock parts. Most of the kit you have can be used except for the pulleys. Here's what I suggest:

First, your idler pulley will need to be eliminated and removed.

If your existing balancer pulley is a GM #3766987 you can continue to use it. If not, use pulley GM #3858533 which is still available from GM.

If your existing water pump pulley is a GM #3770245, you can continue to use it.

Change your alternator pulley to GM #3829387. It's GM-discontinued but available in reproduction.

Move your existing alternator driver belt (or, a new belt of the same length) from the forward water pump and balancer pulley groove to the rear groove.

Use power steering pump pulley GM #3834720. This is a "3 spoke" cast iron pulley of a single groove. It's GM-discontinued but available in reproduction.

Install power steering pump driver belt around the forward groove on the water pump and balancer pulleys and the power steering pump pulley. It will be adjusted at the power steering pump mounting bracket. I THINK the belt you need will be a 3/8 X 43-1/2".

[Joe L.]

Re: Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

Ed------


One more thing: while all 1963-74 Corvette power steering pumps do use a keyed shaft, the pulley-to-shaft interface is slightly tapered. You will find that removing a power steering pump pulley without a puller will be quite difficult, especially for a pulley that has been long-installed. The stamped steel power steering pump pulleys (which is probably what you have with the kit) have grooves on the center reinforcement for use with a puller. I do not recommend that stamped steel power steering pump pulleys be "hammered off" as there is too much chance of distorting the pulley.

[Edward J.]

Re: Power steering conversion help 63/327 /340hp

Joe, thanks for the info and I Will start looking for what I need.