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AR15.COM
12/2/2009 7:58:02 AM EDT
A friend and I are rebuilding a 1980 chevy small block 350 and we are putting it into a 1985 chevy suburban that had a big block in it.

Is it possible to use the powersteering pump (3 wheel) from the big block on the small block (2 wheel)?

The only issue we see is the high pressure hose. if we wanted to use the small block pump.

Is there an adapter or high pressure conversion hose that lets you use a small block pump on a vehicle that was set up for a big block?

The big block hose is bigger than the small block therefore nothing is fitting on the column or the back of the pump.

Any suggestions
12/2/2009 10:41:51 AM EDT
[#1]
It should bolt right up, the only thing that may stand in your way is the aignment of the pulleys depending on the water pumps.

The small block is just the small version of a big block (so to say).

The accessory holes are pretty much the same.
12/2/2009 12:06:53 PM EDT
[#2]
the pulleys line up using either big or small pump however the bracket for the big block pump doesnt have a way to adjust the belt tension.

the small block pump high pressure line does not fit in the steering column connection, it is a bit to small and doesnt seal properly

is there a pressure line that converts a big block set up to a small block pump?
12/2/2009 7:33:11 PM EDT
[#3]
Speedway Motors may have the adapter.  They will also have hose kits and fittings.  

If you can, post pictures so I can get a good handle on your situation.  I am a street rod builder.
12/3/2009 4:27:37 AM EDT
[#4]
We actually fixed it last night by swapping the pulleys. We took the pulley and the bracket off of the small block and put it on the big block pump. Since those were the key part for it all to line up we just went out and bought the pulley tool and did it that way. The two high pressure hoses were so different from one another that we actually had to show the guys at the parts store because they didnt believe us. They kept telling us that they were interchangable blah blah blah. So we juat bought the tool ($50) got back to my friends home and fixed it in 5 mins.

I will take and post pics tonight when we work on it again.
12/3/2009 5:24:12 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
We actually fixed it last night by swapping the pulleys. We took the pulley and the bracket off of the small block and put it on the big block pump. Since those were the key part for it all to line up we just went out and bought the pulley tool and did it that way. The two high pressure hoses were so different from one another that we actually had to show the guys at the parts store because they didnt believe us. They kept telling us that they were interchangable blah blah blah. So we juat bought the tool ($50) got back to my friends home and fixed it in 5 mins.

I will take and post pics tonight when we work on it again.


For future reference, earlier years of pumps had a bolt on pulley with a keyway that doesn't require a $50 tool to install. Same pump with two housing styles available, different shaft. Anything I build has one of these on it.

12/3/2009 7:40:37 AM EDT
[#6]
thanks for the info I will let my buddy know about the bolt pulley since he is plannng on doing a older pickup here pretty soon.

We were using the pumps that came with both engines, we really didnt want to spend to much on this truck as it is going to be a beater/hunting truck for now. It will get more work done later when $$ is available for it. But I guess he just decided to buy the tool so it is an easy fix for later projects when the issue comes up.

It was his vehicle and his project to spend money on I am just there to learn some basics so someday I can work on my own projects. I like learning and he is willing to show me.

He is going to teach me how to completely rebuild a big block, the one that came with the vehicle is in pretty bad shape and has to be rebuilt. A good winter project in a heated garage.
12/4/2009 10:32:44 AM EDT
[#7]
Another FYI after I bent the shit out of a ps pump pulley is that most parts houses have the tool and will pull it for free.  
12/5/2009 3:39:36 AM EDT
[#8]
yeah, in the early 80's, they went from a regular flared line to a Saginaw o-ring fitting


FYI, all you need to do is swap the pressure valve fitting to convert the pump