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Anybody know how to reduce the pressure in a GM power steering pump to work with a Late (1979 up) Mustang rack ? The pump is an early style with the keyway and bolt.  
Thanks, Rick Harris

First I want to say THANK YOU !!! for the advice I got with my many Questions about Mustang  II power steering.  
I just finished up my 36 Dodge power steering. I just got it aligned yester day and now it drives great except it feels like the pump still has too much pressure. I have the front alignment set at caster positive 6.1 degree left and 6.7 degree right. Camber .2 degree left and .3 degree right, and the toe -.1 degree.  The guy that aligned it said the different left and right was for the crown on the road.    
Now for the power steering pump I have a early style GM pump (with keyway and nut) that I have shorten the pressure spring to lower the pressure. I was told by FATMAN FAB cutting a 1/3 off the spring would lower the pressure to 600 to 700 psi and that is what the rack needed.  
Has any body done this ?  Is there a better way ?  
I have seen that Heidt's has an adjustable power steering valve. Has anybody used this and is it worth buying ?  
I love the Speedway Motors # 617-4820 AN  6 Fittings for power steering.
That made it real easy to run the #6 A/C hoses. I just wish I could find an 3/8" inverted flare to a #6 fitting.  
Thanks for your GREAT advice,  
Rick Harris

I have a '75 or '76 power rack that is good. Can I use it with a GM pump ?
I have been told that I can lower the pressure of the pump by cutting about 1/3 off the pressure spring. It has about 3 1/3 turns form lock to lock with flair fittings. If not I will get a rack from a '79 up MUstang.
Thanks for all the info.
Rick Harris

I want to use an old style rebuilt small block Chevy '68 type power steering pump with reservoir. I have the '68 brackets and the crank pulley for the short water pump. Will this pump work well with a '79 up Mustang rack ? Do I have to cut the pressure spring to lower the pressure of the pump to work properly ?  
I have all the info about the hoses.
Thanks for all your help !
Rick Harris

Nope!  Don' touch a thing.  I put an older Chevelle pump on my '34 which has an '89 Mustang rack.  It works fine.  The only hitch is the fittings.  I had to buy both Ford and Chevy hoses and swap the ends.  There is a company on the net called "Gotta Show" or something like that that sells the hoses already made up.  Good Luck!

One question on the hoses, Do they come out at a 90 degree angle ?  
There is not a lot of room between the bottom of the pump and the part of the rack that has the fittings holes.
I will use the Chevy pump.  
THANKS FOR THE INFO !!!  
Rick Harris

I want to use an old style rebuilt small block Chevy '68 type power steering pump with reservoir. I have the '68 brackets and the crank pulley for the short water pump. Will this pump work well with a '79 up Mustang rack ? Do I have to cut the pressure spring to lower the pressure of the pump to work properly ?
I have all the info about the hoses.
Thanks for all your help !
Rick Harris

Do you use the standard old style power streering pump with the reservoir ?
Is there any modifications that should be done to the pump or it work fine with the late mustang rack ?
I have a SBC with the short water pump. I also have the power steering  pully and bracket from a 68 Chevy. Is this what you use ?
Thanks for the great info !  
Rick Harris

Not sure if this is directed to me, but I'll answer anyway.

I use a Type ll GM pump, that's the one with a separate reservior.  I got the pump from Auto Zone and the reservior from a street rod parts store.  My rack came from Flaming River and is a '74-'78 Mll design.  It is overly sensitive unless the pressure of the GM pump is reduced.  There's a way to cut the spring and add a washer to the pump flow control valve to lower the pressure, but I bought a modified valve that does the job nicely.  It's very easy to change the valve if the pump is accessible.  The modified valve came from Parr's automotive in Oklahoma City.  BTW, the early Mll racks are 16 inches between the centers of the mounting holes.  I'm told that later Mll and T-bird racks that are 15 1/2 inches between the mounting hole centers are fine with unmodified GM pumps.

Be sure to flush the hoses before installing them.  (I didn't and had a ton of problems until i got the crud out of the system).

THANKS !
Rick Harris

Do you use the standard old style power streering pump with the reservoir ?
Is there any modifications that should be done to the pump or it work fine with the late mustang rack ?
I have a SBC with the short water pump. I also have the power steering  pully and bracket from a 68 Chevy. Is this what you use ?
Thanks for the great info !  
Rick Harris

Nope, they wear evenly. I've used this setting on several cars lately. Negative leans in at the top by the way.

One more question , Is there a pressure hose that will fit the GM pump to the Mustang II rack ?
Thanks Rick Harris.

one degree negative camber, 1/16" toe in, 4 to 6 degrees caster

Thanks for the info !
Rick Harris

I have finally decided to go with power steering. I know to use the 79 up Mustang rack with a GM pump. What I would like to know is what alignment spec to use for safe highway speed driving. My 36 Dodge weights 3100 # with 1660 # on the front wheels.  
Thanks, Rick Harris

THANKS for the great info ! I think I will get one.
Rick Harris

Anybody bought one of these ? If so did it work ? Where did you buy it and how much did you pay ?
I have a lot of dull drill bits.
Thanks , Rick Harris


i

Hey guys anybody got any idea's on where to find a hard  tonneau cover for my 85 Elky SS. I did find one at OPG a nice product but alittle pricey for me (995.00) maybe even if I could find a good used one would work.
I've seen the soft ones before and of course allot cheaper but most were a piece of crap.  Got any advice?  Thanks, Johnny

Check out  www.honestcharley.com
They have about everything for an El Camino.
Thanks, Rick Harris.

My REAL Hot Rod has fenders !
Try to find a 36 Dodge model , or any thing for a 36 Dodge.
If it ain't a Ford or Chevy Forget about it !
Thanks
Rick Harris,

Just a thought - have you considered rebuilding the stock springs? They're made for the car after all. Take them off, take them apart, shine 'em up with a sander, and round the spring ends a bit so they don't dig in to each other. New bushings and you're done. You could even put teflon sheet in between the leaves. A spring shop might have to do some of it for you.  
Some folks might not like the idea of using a 70 year old spring, but you get to examine the springs pretty close for defects in the process while you're sanding, and you know they'll fit!  
Ralph

Ralph , I have considered  rebuilding the spring and have found them on the internet for sale. There is one reason I don't want to rebuild is there are no rubber bushing. The front and rear have a medal sleeve that screws into the spring and over the shackle. I want a smoother ride with steel on steel I don't see that happening. The Caravan springs have a rubber bushing about 3" diameter and the stock springs have a diameter of about 1 1/2" to 2". I also hope that a wider spring will ride better.
Thanks for the suggestion
Rick Harris