1955-57 POWER STEERING PUMP AND 500 SERIES POWER STEERING BOX INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE COMMENCING ANY WORK
 
PARTS NEEDED

500 Series Power Steering Box - Part #5000

Power Steering Pump w/double Pulley - Part #22MM

Power Steering Pump Bracket - Part #8MM, 9MM or 9MMA

Power Steering Hose Kit - Part #605HK

Kit for Modifying Original Steering Column - Part #OSCKIT

Harmonic (Crankshaft) Double Pulley - Part #14415CP

OR YOU CAN PURCHASE THE COMPLETE KITS

For Stock Steering Column - Kit #PSK-S

With IDIDIT Column or Floor Shift Tilt Column - See the "SUSPENSION & STEERING" section of our online catalogue for pricing and details.

 

 
 

The power steering pump bracket  doubles as the left front motor mount bracket if the engine is front-mounted (Part #8MM).  If the engine is side mounted, the bracket is used for the power steering pump only (Part #9MM or #9MMA)

To remove the original front engine mounting bracket, first remove the 3/8" nut, flat washer and rubber grommet.

   

           Photo #1(a)                 Photo #1(b)

The engine must be supported on the driver's side using a floor back or engine hoist.  Raise the driver's side of the engine so that there is no load on the left front engine mount.  Remove the two 3/8" x 1" bolts and lock washer and the angle mount.

  

           Photo #2(a)                Photo #2(b)
The new power steering bracket bolts to the front of the engine with two 3/8" x 1 1/4" bolts and lock washers supplied with the bracket.  This bracket fits short water pump small block Chevys only.

Photo #3
Once the bracket is bolted to the front of the engine, lower the engine back onto the mount.  Using the original nut, install the existing motor mount rubber grommet and large flat washer.

 

              Photo #4(a)              Photo #4(b)
The power steering pump (Part #22MM) mounts to the bracket using a 3/8" x 1" bolt and lock washer on the front and a 3/8" nut, lock washer and flat washer on the rear stud of the power steering pump.

 

           Photo #5(a)                  Photo #5(b)
The power steering pump adjusting arm bolts to the top of the water pump using the original bolt.  The slotted end of the adjusting arm attaches to the upper rear stud on the back of the power steering pump with a 3/8" flat washer, lock washer and nut supplied with the bracket.

Photo #6
The double groove power steering pump pulley has a slotted keyway and is held to the pump with a 3/4" nut supplied with the power steering pump.

Photo #7
If your engine has a harmonic balance with the lower crankshaft pulley riveted on, it must be replaced with a balancer that will accept bolt-on crankshaft double groove pulleys (Part #14415CP).

 (Call us for the balancer - used only).

Photo #8
The first groove (closest to the time cover) on the crankshaft pulley (Part #14415CP) drives the water pump and generator or alternator belt.  The second groove drives the water pump and air conditioning compressor.  The third groove pulley drives the power steering pump.  The pulleys are held to the harmonic balancer with three 3/8" fine thread bolts.

 

             Photo #9(a)                   Photo #9(b)
The forward groove on the power steering pump pulley lines up with the third groove on the crankshaft pulley.  If air conditioning is not installed, the third groove pulley on the crankshaft is not required.  The power steering belt may be installed on the rear groove of the power steering pump pulley and the forward groove on the crankshaft pulley.

Photo #10
The pressure port on the rear of the power steering pump is a 3/8" female inverted flare fitting.  A brass adaptor is included with the power steering hoses (Part #605HK).  The brass fitting allows the female end of the pressure hose to connect to the power steering pump.

Photo #11
The 500 Series Power Steering Box (Part #5000)bolts to the frame using the grade 8 bolts supplied with the box.  The input shaft is the same size and location as the 605 box and uses the same pressure and return hoses as an inverted flare type 605 steering box (Part #605HK).

 

        Photo #12(a)                     Photo #12(b)
The male end of the pressure hose has a 3/8" inverted flare and screws into the larger of the 2 ports on the steering box.

Photo #13
The return hose connects to the barbed nipple on the back of the power steering pump with a hose clamp and the smaller port on the power steering box.

 

         Photo #14(a)                   Photo #14(b)
When installing a 500 Series Power Steering Box (Part #5000), the original non-power steering linkage must be used.  The original pitman arm fits directly onto the 500 Series Box sector shaft.

Photo #15
A steering flex coupler (rag joint) must be used between the steering box and the steering column.  If the stock steering column is used, it must be shortened to accommodate the rag joint. A column conversion kit will need to be used to convert your column (Kit Part #OSCKIT).

SEE "1955-57 STOCK STEERING COLUMN MODIFICATION WITH 500 SERIES POWER STEERING BOX" INSTRUCTIONS FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MODIFY YOUR STEERING COLUMN.

IF INSTALLING AN IDIDIT TILT COLUMN, A DIFFERENT RAG JOINT MUST BE USED DEPENDING ON THE COLUMN INSTALLED.   SEE THE "STEERING & SUSPENSION" SECTION OF OUR ONLINE CATALOGUE FOR DETAILS AND PRICING.

Photo #16

Once everything is installed, fill the power steering pump with the power steering fluid.  Jack up the front end so that both front wheels are off the ground.  Start the engine and turn the wheels from left to right stop a couple of times.  Shut the engine off and refill the power steering pump.  Start engine again and turn wheels stop to stop again.  Follow above procedure until steering system is completely full of oil and all air has been bled out of the system. 

Make sure all the belts are running true and there are no fluid leaks.

The front end will need to be realigned.  We have found the below specifications work best with the 500 Series Power Steering Box:

 

Driver Side

Passenger Side

Caster:

2-1/2 to 3-1/2 degrees positive

2-1/2 to 3-1/2 degrees positive

Camber:

0-degrees

1/4-degree negative

Toe In:

1/8" to 3/16"

 

NOTE:  IF THE DESIRED CASTER NOTED ABOVE CANNOT BE ACHIEVED WHEN DOING THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT, A SET OF UPPER CONTROL ARM OFFSET SHAFTS (PART #975) MUST BE INSTALLED.  THESE SHAFTS WILL GIVE YOU AN EXTRA 2 DEGREES OF CASTER.  

OR YOU MAY USE A SET OF TUBULAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS (PART #14MM or #5557TCA-U) WHICH WILL GIVE YOU AN EXTRA 5 DEGREES OF CASTER.
With your new 500 Series Power Steering and the proper alignment specifications, your Classic will drive like a dream!

PLEASE NOTE:  WARRANTY ON THE 500 SERIES POWER STEERING BOX IS VOIDED IF A USED POWER STEERING PUMP IS USED.

Classic Bowtie Connection is providing these instructions for your information only.  We strongly recommend that the work be done by a professional welder/machinist and licenced mechanic only.  This task should not be undertaken by the inexperienced hobbyist. 

Safety is the prime concern, and we accept no liability due to improper workmanship or installation