[Pontiacmuscle]

Got the 455 in the '79 GP and bolted up. Does anyone know what brackets to use to get the stock powersteering pump to bolt up properly to the 455? Anyone else run into this? Thanks!

[engineer]

guess you confirmed that the 301 PS bracket holes are not there on the 455, because of the shorter head, so use PS bracket from 69-77 400 or 455 but check what happens to alt. and not sure if you have factory AC going in. Also assumed that the air pump is gone.

[Pontiacmuscle]

No A/C and the air pump is gone. Thanks for the tips; I'll pull the PS brackets off the 455 and see how that goes.

[shotgun]

I made a plate/adapter to use the stock pump.
Remember that the chassis is metric ,so your lines etc. are also. That's why I made the plate.
If you go with the "early" style bracket/pump you will need to have custom lines made with metric ends to screw into your steering box.

You might be able to get away with just cutting the low pressure side off the 79 pump and clamping it on the early pump.

I would be worry about doing it on the high side due to it's pressure.

I think I have the set up that was pulled off my 400 powered 79 GP. Even has a nice March aluminum pulley if you are interested.

[engineer]

metric to SAE PS hose adapters are available aftermarket, look like a ferrule for tube lines, no need to cut hoses or even get new hoses or such. Or connection on back of pump can be changed to metric instead, your call. This is no big deal.

[Pontiacmuscle]

Originally Posted by engineer

metric to SAE PS hose adapters are available aftermarket, look like a ferrule for tube lines, no need to cut hoses or even get new hoses or such. Or connection on back of pump can be changed to metric instead, your call. This is no big deal.

Engineer; do you know where I can find these fittings? What company would carry them? Or would any place that does hydraulic hoses carry them?
Thanks!

[engineer]

thought you were using the 79 metric pump with 79 steering box using the 455 brackets, so no need to change hoses. If you get an earlier SAE pump, then just change the fitting on the back of the SAE pump with the 79 one you already have. you can google power steering pumps to find adapters if you really need them if the above does not work out.

[scott w]

I put a 76 400 in a 80 Gp, used the brackets that were on the 400 and a power steering pump and lines from a 79-80 firebird and all worked, not sure if I used the pulley that was on the firebird, or the one that came on the motor?

[Pontiacmuscle]

Thanks Guys for the direction. Im trying to use what I have to see if I can get it right with what I have and if not I'll go from there.

[riceslayer]

hey yall, lee power steering makes metric adapters. also, just wanted to say i removed the ragjoint and replaced the entire lower shaft with a universal joint off of a cherokee, there is no slack and it steers great with a cop car metric box. lee also has a ragjoint /adapter for the metric input shaft and the flare adapter. the hose threads are close enough in size to seal the hose, the flare is what seals and not the actual threads.
as far as a pump, i like the old style with a keyed pulley as i have had many press pulleys sieze to the shaft. the pressure can be modified by taking the fitting off the pressure side of the pump and using guts from a newer car. brackets for 400/455 are used for proper alignment and tension.

[riceslayer]

also, the pitman arm is interchangeable if the car already has an 800/808 box, but if yours is a 605 stock get a wagon pitman arm or 800 arm to put the cop box on. 800/808 have a square top cover and 605 has a round cover with no bolts. return lines are picked from the boneyard because this is cheaper than another flare adapter and easily connects to your 3/8 return hose.