OK Guy's, I have a problem with my power steering on my 76' F250. I've asked this question on the other forums, but got some dumb and stupid answers. So I'm going to ask my fellow Ford Enthusiasts. I have been trying to figure out what is going on. And it has stumped me so for. before I had my engine rebuilt the power steering worked great. very little noise and can turn the truck with one finger.

New engine and new power steering pump with new lines and cooler. Same old gear box. I flushed the system out with one gallon of Type F fluid. Which the Ford pro's say the pumps are designed for. I put the new pump on, filled the reservior with fluid. Unhooked the return line from the pump. Cranked the truck with the coil unhooked until Got clean fluid with no air bubbles. Installed the return line. Jacked the front up so the wheels are off the ground. Cranked the truck and turned the wheels back and fourth. No power assist. After talking to some people. They suggested to take the return line off and check for pressure. I did and found to have very little pressure. So I took the pump back and got another one. Put it on and the same thing happened. I'm a little bent out of shape now. So I took the pump off and took it apart and found the relief valve stuck in the bypass position. So I go back to the parts house and get the third pump. Put it on and go through the same flush out procedure. Crank the truck and get the distinctive sound from the pump that the old FORD's make. My hopes are up until I try the steering. No power assist. So I take the return line off and find that there is plenty of pressure coming out while the engine is running.
Add new fluid (have used 2 gallons by now) Hook the line up and have driven the truck for three days with the pump howling and no power assist. So I gave up not knowing anything about the gearbox inerworkings. Took the power steering belt off and been driving the truck for about two weeks now. Remember it worked great with the old pump. Which was traded in for the new one.

No power steering, but it sure is nice and quiet. The truck runs as quiet as the 2001 SuperCrew.
So I'm at a lost until I find someone who can help. If you know of someone please let me know. And thanks for reading my long post.

w5kgt@hotmail.com
w5kgt@w5kgt.com

 

All three pumps came from O'Reily, I'm going to try NAPA next.

 

I did this conversion on my 77 a while back. Get a NAPA part # 20-6244 pump. It is a Saginaw pump. You'll also need a part # 1563 Pressure Hose Fitting Adapter. Should work in your existing p/s pump bracket.

I have been pleased with the results. No noise and good power steering operation.

 

Any hydraulic system such as this has to have both pressure AND flow (at the same time). That pump may be able to make pressure when dead-ended, but not be able to make any flow to speak of in an open loop. I'm guessing you still have a substandard pump.
Do you still have the original one you took off that worked?

 

My assessment is that it has to be your pump. With todays, ***** rebuilts, I would try a new pump. It will cost a little more, but I have found a lot less headaches with new units

Hope it helps!