crazybird

I have a 87 2.8. I am having multiple problems out of my power steering unit. The bolts are all broken off and I am having problems getting someone to work on it. I would like to go on and convert it to manual steering. I am curious (and I think I search pretty thoroughly) if I can get a clockwise waterpump. If not, Can I get a AC delete pulley to reroute the belt. Id like to remove everything associated with the power steering. Is it unbearable to steer? the car is currently stranded and I could really use some insight. Thank you in advance. There has to be a way to short belt the car. Any input is welcomed.

crazybird

Can I get a water pump from an earlier year with the v belt set up and just replace the belt? is there an electric water pump?

ex-x-fire

You'll have to change the timing cover as well, it has different coolant passages b/c of the reverse rotation pump.
Can you go from the waterpump to the a/c? What you need to do is have some one hold the tensioner fully open, take a string or old belt (cut), route it, then measure after making marks. This should get you close. The parts stores should be able to figure out which belt by length.

crazybird

I am confused. I would love to get a clockwise pump. I dont mind getting a new timing cover as long as everything will fit. Can you give me more part specific information? thank you. I would love to have a belt around the water pump crank and alternater. I feel like I have seen a picture of this setup somewhere.

ex-x-fire

Like this

crazybird

yes sir, I knew that. I thought you were saying there was a clockwise pump that would fit with the addition of a different timing cover. I would love to shorten the belt as much as possible.

ex-x-fire

85 -86 2.8ls had the old v belt, clockwise pumps, getting everthing to line up is the problem.
Are you planning to change the gearbox as well? Because just unhooking the p/s pump is not going to make steer any easier. Changing out the timing cover is alot more work then getting the p/s to work. Have you tried to pull the p/s bracket bolts out that go through the pump? You'll need to either way, I'd get the p/s pump on a bench, remove the pulley, get those bolts out. You can rent a p/s pulley remover/installer at autozone. Have someone weld nuts over the stripped bolt heads.

Edwardgp

My vote is to get the power steering fixed the welded nut trick works good.

crazybird

i really and truly want to convert to manual. I have had great success with it in the past. Its a project car, not a daily driver. I would really love to juts run the alt water pump and crank on the belt. I have seen pictures of this done. I know there is a way.

beleneagle

Not to gang up on you, but it would be cheaper and easier just to fix/get another pump/bracket out of the local boneyard. If you do the shorter belt using the route that ex-x-fire provided, you will then need to find a manual box as a non working power box isn't safe! I got into a accident thinking it would be just fine. I wasn't able to steer out of the way in time as it takes to long to turn with a dead non powered box. I suppose a manual box out of a older Camaro/Nova would work, but in the end, your much better off just fixing the problem you got, rather than making more.

crazybird

"i really and truly want to convert to manual. I have had great success with it in the past. Its a project car, not a daily driver. I would really love to juts run the alt water pump and crank on the belt. I have seen pictures of this done. I know there is a way."

beleneagle

Then you will need to find a manual steering box out of a 2nd gen Camaro, or just order a rebuilt one and see if they'll take your power one as a core, not likely, but it doesn't cost anything to ask! Then just using the belt routing diagram that is on this thread, find the right length belt, and your good to go. Finding a box might be the hard part as drag racers everywhere use to put them on their drag cars for quicker times. They didn't need the power system stealing horsepower, and with a striped down car (for weight savings), they could get by with the manual box. That's what I would do, if I was going to go that route. Good luck with your project!

crazybird

Thanks man, I actually got the car home and it is safe. What I want to do is run just the water pump alt. and crank. I want a short belt. So I need a clockwise water pump. is there such a thing?

beleneagle

Mine has a clockwise pump as well, so just see if you can find a older 3rd gen, or S-10 like 82' to say 86' with a 2.8 and there's your set up. Don't forget that you'll need to drop the front of your pan to swap timing covers. Being that I'll be working on mine today if it doesn't rain (60% chance), I'll try to remember to take a photo or two. That's IF it doesn't let loose of all that wet stuff. One other thing, while I thinking that you could just use the v-belt brackets to get everything to line up and then use your your pulleys for the serpentine belt, the pulleys may or may not bolt up. Let me know how far apart the water pump pulley's bolt/studs are on yours, then I'll check mine to see if they are the same. Also, chances are that your alt is clocked differently than a V-belt one and wont work with the v-belt brackets, so you will need to get that as well and get the pulley changed. Lots of work! You might be able to use the brackets that you already have if there's not a lot of changes to the water pump when the changed them to spin backwards. You will have to check when you get the new cover and water pump on.....

crazybird

Yes this does sound like alot of work. LEt me dummy check.....
If I get the water pump off of a V belt car it will fit and will run clockwise. To do this I will also need the timing cover off of the same V belt car. As far as aligning the serp belt.....Is there a light or tool used to adjust alignment? or is it all in the eye *****?

ex-x-fire

It all in the accesory brackets & pulleys.
Yes, you'll need a timing cover too.

Killert

iTrader: (9)

I have a manual steering gear box I'd sell you for 60$ shipped. Its direct bolt in S10 unit.

crazybird

Is there anyway to check the alignments?

beleneagle

Yes, a straight edge! Or a piece of angle iron, etc. It's not that hard to do. That's gonna end up costing you way more than just fixing it you do know. But it will be different, so to each their own.

Edwardgp

Wow you want that manual steering bad!!

beleneagle

Me first! Umm (Hears crickets), sorry I got ahead of meself. It was in the grand scheme of things where I got lost. What were we doing?