What's the best aftermarket power steering pump?
#16
04-19-2015, 07:38 AM
Posting Guru
The question was what is best, and the Saginaw pump is the best.
Check the AGR pump carefully as it is likely a ported Saginaw pump. The AGR pump may be appropriate for a full hydraulic steering system, but doesn't add anything to regular power steering and/or Hydro-Boost.
You can debate the merits of any perceived brand loyalty while driving your quiet and more tractable truck down the highway or dirt track.
I would put a used pump on my vehicle long before I would put any rebuilt pump on it. Rebuilt pumps suck, and Cardone rebuilds suck harder than anything else. Plus, there's no reason to buy a rebuilt pump when new ones are so cheap. See this:
Amazon.com: ACDelco 20756715 GM Original Equipment Power Steering Pump: Automotive
It's even in a new can and has a second nipple for the Hydro-Boost return line.
The only unpleasant-ness going with this can is that neither return line nipple matches up nicely with the factory PS cooler line on the cross member, but it's also not the end of the world. If you want to install a PS fluid filter (and you should), you're going to have to change the return line routing anyway. If you put a separate PS fluid cooler in the system then the existing nipples work just fine as they are.
If a Hydro-Boost upgrade is planned, just don't waste your time screwing around and go straight to the Saginaw pump. It develops a higher pressure than the Ford pump and, in this case, pressure is king. The Hydro-Boost is a pressure multiplier so, if the upgrade is going to demonstrate its full benefits, you have to use the Saginaw PS pump. Note that this is exactly what Ford did when they put Hydro-Boost on those big cars back in the '70s and '80s.
Check the AGR pump carefully as it is likely a ported Saginaw pump. The AGR pump may be appropriate for a full hydraulic steering system, but doesn't add anything to regular power steering and/or Hydro-Boost.
You can debate the merits of any perceived brand loyalty while driving your quiet and more tractable truck down the highway or dirt track.
I would put a used pump on my vehicle long before I would put any rebuilt pump on it. Rebuilt pumps suck, and Cardone rebuilds suck harder than anything else. Plus, there's no reason to buy a rebuilt pump when new ones are so cheap. See this:
Amazon.com: ACDelco 20756715 GM Original Equipment Power Steering Pump: Automotive
It's even in a new can and has a second nipple for the Hydro-Boost return line.
The only unpleasant-ness going with this can is that neither return line nipple matches up nicely with the factory PS cooler line on the cross member, but it's also not the end of the world. If you want to install a PS fluid filter (and you should), you're going to have to change the return line routing anyway. If you put a separate PS fluid cooler in the system then the existing nipples work just fine as they are.
If a Hydro-Boost upgrade is planned, just don't waste your time screwing around and go straight to the Saginaw pump. It develops a higher pressure than the Ford pump and, in this case, pressure is king. The Hydro-Boost is a pressure multiplier so, if the upgrade is going to demonstrate its full benefits, you have to use the Saginaw PS pump. Note that this is exactly what Ford did when they put Hydro-Boost on those big cars back in the '70s and '80s.
#17
04-19-2015, 10:24 AM
Yes. Any of the "canned ham" Saginaw pumps all have the same mounting mechanics.
Note also that there have been a number of Saginaw applications that used a "remote reservoir".
Product Detail
(Please forgive me for linking to anything A-1/Cardone related.)
Regardless of the housing, though, extracting the pump from the can is generally a PITA, but you can move a new pump to any type of reservoir housing you prefer. Have a look through RockAuto's online catalog for power steering pumps and you will find dozens of slightly different reservoirs. The variations are usually related to reservoir orientation relative to the pump and single and dual return nipples in any number of different configurations.
Note also that there have been a number of Saginaw applications that used a "remote reservoir".
Product Detail
(Please forgive me for linking to anything A-1/Cardone related.)
Regardless of the housing, though, extracting the pump from the can is generally a PITA, but you can move a new pump to any type of reservoir housing you prefer. Have a look through RockAuto's online catalog for power steering pumps and you will find dozens of slightly different reservoirs. The variations are usually related to reservoir orientation relative to the pump and single and dual return nipples in any number of different configurations.
#18
04-19-2015, 10:41 AM
The Saginaw pump is the bomb.com. However, you cannot just buy one off the shelf for a Ford like you used to be able to do. The best bet for you is to find an E-350 van with a 460 and rob the Saginaw pump and brackets off of that. The last one I did, I found the pump on eBay and asked the seller to include the brackets. The whole thing was about $75 including shipping.
#19
04-19-2015, 10:53 AM
Yes you can.
The post you referenced was referring to a special pump that Cardone used to make. It was a Saginaw pump but has the Ford C2 pump mounting layout. That pump was a popular way to get a Saginaw pump without having to change out the Ford C2 pump bracket.
So long as your engine has the Ford bracket that was specifically for the Saginaw pump then you are not using an odd-ball pump and you can get a replacement Saginaw pump any where.
The post you referenced was referring to a special pump that Cardone used to make. It was a Saginaw pump but has the Ford C2 pump mounting layout. That pump was a popular way to get a Saginaw pump without having to change out the Ford C2 pump bracket.
So long as your engine has the Ford bracket that was specifically for the Saginaw pump then you are not using an odd-ball pump and you can get a replacement Saginaw pump any where.
#20
04-19-2015, 07:22 PM
I used E-series Saginaw pumps/serpentine brackets on 2 460 swaps into 79 Broncos. They are quieter (no whine) like the Ford pumps are famous for. Other than that tho, I haven't had any issues with Ford pumps, other than breaking off the return line nipple from the plastic reservoir. I have had a Saginaw break the shaft with NO indication other than no P/S. Apparently this is fairly common? Or so Ive since been told.
#21
04-19-2015, 07:38 PM
#22
04-20-2015, 07:32 PM
#23
05-25-2015, 03:26 PM
Posting Guru
#25
05-25-2015, 03:38 PM
Posting Guru
I got the brscket today. $5 and some fool already pulled it off the truck, took the pulley but left the bracket dangling by the PS lines. 3 bolts on the ps pump, it fell to the ground. Then I just impacted off the AC pump and a whopping 30 seconds of work and it was mine! it's nice when somebody tears apart the front end, takes out the radiator, takes out the intake manifolds, the heads, and so on so your job is easy
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