Hi all,
I have a 1982 F150 4x4 with a 351w. I stole a serpentine belt system, pulleys, and brackets off an 88 Thunderbird with a 302 a couple of years. I also bought a remanufactured P/S pump from the local parts store. Well earlier today I let my dad drive the truck. The steering had been excessively "whining" and would actually have hard spots. I would be driving down the road straight and go to turn and it would resist my turn. I noticed my belt is way too loose, the tension indicator shows its bad. I was getting around to replace it, but since its a classic and manly sits in the garage it was further on my to do list. As I was saying my dad was driving the truck and turned into the local sonic. The truck dies. Dad calls me and thinks the motor blew up. I get there and it won't turn over. The 351 is bored and stroked to about 410 and the factory starter has hell in the first place. I notice that the cap is halfway blown off the P/S unit and fluid is everywhere. I already picked up a remanufactured pump from AutoZone. The belt size is kinda unique so I have to grab the old one first and just match it up but It's getting replaced. I will inspect the hoses and everything. I was running just some cheap Napa P/S fluid.

Anyone have any advice?

What is the best fluid to use in these? I know many newer vehicles use ATF. I plan on flushing the system out and putting the best fluid in it that I can get at the local Auto parts store.

Anyone run P/S filters?

Sorry for the Novel and Thanks in advance - John

 

You are a little bit out there, and could have several problems that need to be checked out.
1. During the belt changeover, are all the pulley ratios correct? Or is the power steering pump turning too slow?
2. What power steering pump are you using? Does it match the truck's original power steering pump as far as pressure and output?

 

I was wondering about the gearing myself...
I looked up the parts at work (I work at Autozone) and bought the recommended replacement for the 351 in an 82 F150 (Which is the same model pump that just died). The truck originally had a 300 I6 in it, and according to the Autozone website the 351w and the I6 use the same P/S pump so i figure the pressure output should be correct. The pulley is from an 88 Thunderbird. I can compare the pulley diameters from the I6 P/S If i can find it. If It got tossed or I used it as a core I might not have the pulley, will just have to check.

It shouldn't matter if one is V-belt and the other is Serpentine right? The V-belt pulley diameter should match the Serpentine diameter right? This is one thing I did not think about when I rebuilt the truck. (it was my first time, I have learned much since).

The powersteering pump model number is 7050.

 

Now might be a good time to upgrade to a Saginaw power steering pump. I have not used one, but read they are MUCH MUCH better than the factory pumps. One of the companies (Cardone?) even makes a ******* Saginaw pump that bolts right in. You could google it, there are some conversions online.

 

The critical thing as far as the pulley ratios, will be the crankshaft pulley diameter vs the powersteering pump pulley diameter. I don't know if that has changed during the swap.

 

Well the crankshaft pulley and the P/S pulley came of the 88 Thunderbird.