Power Steering bracket spacer width...
 

Hey everybody!

So happy to be part of PY forums. I didn't see an introduction thread, so I feel kinda bad going right to a tech question without introducing myself. :(

I tried signing up for this forum awhile ago, but the "picture assembly" CAPTCHA wasn't working right for me. LOL

ANYWAY...

Car in question is a 1979 Trans Am 400/4-Speed; all original bracketry and pulleys.

My power steering pulley is crooked as heck and I'm getting belt-chirp above 3K RPM, and I think it's because the entire power steering pump assembly is crooked due to a spacer I'm missing on the rear adjustment bracket/plate. Also potentially contributing is that I have the same 15/32" width belts on the Alternator and PS drives, even though the PS pulley should be a bit wider. I have DAYCO 15485 and 17495 top-cog belts on order right now. But I still need to tackle this bracket spacer issue.

Here is a pic of the PS pump on my car mated to the lower corner of the rear adjustment bracket:
https://i.imgur.com/FFfE44d.jpg

As you can see, the bracket is fastened right against the hex nut on the threaded stud, and is missing the spacer that should be there according to the service manual diagram shown here (it's item #17 on the diagram):
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/22...g?v=1522904677

This missing spacer is obviously causing the entire PS pump to bow at a downward angle, which coincidentally is the same angle that my PS pulley is crooked toward, causing a pretty nasty belt misalignment. I understand that these spacers are often missing from these cars.

What I need to know is the correct LENGTH the spacer should be. ChicagoMuscleCarParts and AMK Products lists the spacers in their catalogs being 0.25" in length, but I need to know for sure. I have someone else telling me the spacer is 0.50" in length.

Can somebody verify the correct width of the spacer? I purchased a package of (5) 0.25" spacers with an outer diameter of 0.75" and inner diameter of 0.40"; if the proper length is .50", I can just stack two of them to make a half inch... but I still need to know what the spacer size SHOULD be.

Appreciate it!

The GM part number is listed as 537354.

.60" length.

Per the AMK specs:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1630953760

Thanks for your help, but that is the spacer for the FRONT mount plate. That spacer is on my car, so I have that one. (It's item #23 on the diagram)

I need the length of the spacer used on the REAR plate.

You said you needed number 17 on the diagram. Per the partsbook I'm referencing, number 17 IS listed as part number 537354...Number 23 was NLA even in 1976, therefore no part number listed!

That's what's irritating because this stuff is so inconsistent. I do know that the front plate spacer is longer than the rear plate one that I'm inquiring about.

I found in another thread that it's 0.25" so screw it, I'll just go with that. Lol

I'd also be confirming what your front spacer length is. The Parts listing mentions lots for front spacers, including #537354 for both 400 and 301, but nothing for the rear spacer.
The very similar 301 diagram refers to it as the rear spacer and is identical ID and OD but 1/4" long.

This is from the 67-76 parts book p/n 9782689. I would think it would be the same.

.25" thickness is correct for the rear SPACER.
Have many multiples original Pontiac V8 pumps & PS brackets & just looked at a '71 & a 77 with original brackets still attached.

Front & rear SPACERs & mtg PLATEs are the same for PS pump mounting on '71-79 traditional Pontiac engines with the 10 SI alt. The small spacers alone are also the same for '77-79 301's w 10SI alt.

Front & rear mtg PLATEs are the main difference between the 301 pump mounting, easy to swap.
Factory 80 amp (27SI) Alt/ PS setups, as well as later '80-81) 12 SI alt setups incorporate different PS mtg parts.

Perfect response; exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. And yes, my car is equipped a normal 10SI 63 amp alternator.

I got generic spacers from McMaster-Carr on order that are roughly the same dimensions as the rear one I've been asking about... but there may be a possibility I hit you up to sell me one of those 71-79 rear mounting plates for a 400ci, if you have a few on hand like you say. Depends on if mine is bent from the years of it being bolted down without a spacer. Is there a high likelihood of that? I like to think the thickness of the metal on the mounting plates makes them bend-proof, but you never know...