Which power steering pump?

[RoadWarrior]

My old federal power steering pump is leaking pretty bad. It always had a small leak like every power steering pump of every old car I have ever owned but after all the work I did I think it got bumped or pushed on one to many times. I was trying to hold onto it because I was never sure if I wanted to keep power steering or go manual. Hauling *** down the highway in a straight line is a great, and I've had a few Power steering cars struggle because the steering was to sensitive.

Anyhow I was reading up and I've found a few articles about ditching the federal for a saginaw style pump. People have stated it has a lower psi so its not as touchy as a federal pump. I don't think my year ever had a saginaw, but its a hodgepodge of parts varying from 1967 to 1974 so I am sure I can get it to fit with the correct brackets and such.

Just curious if anyone on here can vouch for this theory, or maybe you've done it, or thought about it. The best I can see is they started using them in 1969 and some 318's had them. I should add I plan on a quicker ratio steering box but want to keep the power steering so my wife can cruise around and not fight the car on slow tight turns, or parking. Bonus if I can also cruise the highway in a straight line (hence the lower psi box).

 

[Kern Dog]

My old federal power steering pump is leaking pretty bad. It always had a small leak like every power steering pump of every old car I have ever owned but after all the work I did I think it got bumped or pushed on one to many times. I was trying to hold onto it because I was never sure if I wanted to keep power steering or go manual. Hauling *** down the highway in a straight line is a great, and I've had a few Power steering cars struggle because the steering was to sensitive.

Anyhow I was reading up and I've found a few articles about ditching the federal for a saginaw style pump. People have stated it has a lower psi so its not as touchy as a federal pump. I don't think my year ever had a saginaw, but its a hodgepodge of parts varying from 1967 to 1974 so I am sure I can get it to fit with the correct brackets and such.

Just curious if anyone on here can vouch for this theory, or maybe you've done it, or thought about it. The best I can see is they started using them in 1969 and some 318's had them. I should add I plan on a quicker ratio steering box but want to keep the power steering so my wife can cruise around and not fight the car on slow tight turns, or parking. Bonus if I can also cruise the highway in a straight line (hence the lower psi box).

It would help your case if we knew what car you had.
Some year models had oddball pulley and bracket combinations. Switching pumps might mean switching pulleys too. It is worth it though. The Saginaw is a better unit.

 

[PRND21]

I have a Saginaw pump on my 65. Stock lower pulley. You need a Saginaw pump bracket for whatever engine you have, probably a different belt. I had to change the fitting on the steering gear to a smaller one, the Saginaw return hose is smaller. Works great.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Sorry. I have a 1967 belvedere II with a 318. Left that crucial information out. I figured I would need a different bracket, and more then likely new hoses. I've been looking at them online and can see they are different than mine. But so far it sounds like a decent upgrade.

Where did you purchase from? I was looking at jim's then found them cheaper from firm feel. around $150 or so, requires core. Then I found some on classic industries for around $90, and they say no core required which is nice(yay, more discarded parts for my yard haha).

 

[Yatzee]

My old federal power steering pump is leaking pretty bad. It always had a small leak like every power steering pump of every old car I have ever owned but after all the work I did I think it got bumped or pushed on one to many times. I was trying to hold onto it because I was never sure if I wanted to keep power steering or go manual. Hauling *** down the highway in a straight line is a great, and I've had a few Power steering cars struggle because the steering was to sensitive.

Anyhow I was reading up and I've found a few articles about ditching the federal for a saginaw style pump. People have stated it has a lower psi so its not as touchy as a federal pump. I don't think my year ever had a saginaw, but its a hodgepodge of parts varying from 1967 to 1974 so I am sure I can get it to fit with the correct brackets and such.

Just curious if anyone on here can vouch for this theory, or maybe you've done it, or thought about it. The best I can see is they started using them in 1969 and some 318's had them. I should add I plan on a quicker ratio steering box but want to keep the power steering so my wife can cruise around and not fight the car on slow tight turns, or parking. Bonus if I can also cruise the highway in a straight line (hence the lower psi box).

Saginaw all the way! They're cheap ( $20 at the auto wreckers ) reliable, easy to mount with aftermarket brackets, sit low on the left on most big blocks, have a slew of pulleys available as well as kits to lower output pressure for better road feel and pretty much all of them mount the same way. The only pump that's cheap enough to experiment with for a multitude of applications. Can buy either the pump unit or can most anywhere and they're tough as nails even when abused.

 

[PRND21]

Pumps and brackets usually pretty easy to find at swap meets. Mancini, 440 Source, Bouchillon, etc have brackets, usually priced about the same. Maybe Summit with free shipping. I get pumps at swap meets and exchange them at Steer & Gear. Professional rebuild not a generic parts store rebuild. Firm Feel would be fine, I've just never dealt with them. If you find a used pump just make sure the pulley is straight. Pulleys held on by a nut is easier to deal with than the press on type. Remember pumps and reservoirs are two different parts when buying a pump.

 

[FU64RY]

Any body have pictures of both? Saginaw and federal?

 

[Kern Dog]

See, a small block and pre 1970 are the problem. The cast iron water pump and driver side water pump inlet makes for some unique bracketry/pulleys. There was a late 70s Saginaw setup that placed the pump up higher, above the centerline of the water pump. I have this setup on a non stock 72 Duster project. It required a mix and match of different pulleys and uses a 1970 and later (Approx) aluminum water pump setup.

 

[RoadWarrior]

I found a few different brackets, havn't researched which one I need yet. I'll probably just call when I order and ask some questions. I noticed most said 70 and up b body or something so I'll be doing some tinkering. Some come with the pulley, others are sold seperatly. And I am pretty sure all pulleys are held on with a nut, at least the ones I've been looking at.

Thanks for the advice!