Removal of Power Steering

[nadnerb05]

Hi All,

My power steering pump is leaking and as the power steering is not hooked up to begin with I want to remove the power steering pump and route the belt from the crank around the water pump rather than the current, crank to power steering to water pump. Am I able to do this and if so should I utilize a tensioner? If this will cause problems or shouldn't be done any other suggestions as to how to route the belt after the removal of the power steering pump would be greatly appreciated.

The motor is a '71 302 out of a Torino.

Thanks for your help.

[FordTruck]

Just go to the auto parts shop and get a belt for a 302 without power steering.
My 302 in the 70 just goes water pump,alt,and crank and I've never had any problems but my 70 never had power steering

[nadnerb05]

Thanks Fordtruck. Yeah, I'd like to do this but my pulley on the water pump doesn't line up with the pulleys on the crank and alternator. Is there a space I can get?

[fordman]

they should line up. if they dont something is wrong. and its been changed. to get theright length belt wrap a rope around the area you want to put a belt on. cut the rope and measure it. go to the parts store and tell them the length of belt you want.

[fordman]

i was told that with no idler the engine is suppose to have and idler pulley if they dont line up. the idler takes the place of the power steering pump pulley.

[nadnerb05]

Yeah, I have been looking for an idler pulley online but they seem to all be for bypassing the A/C and I am unsure as to whether the bracket these kits offer will fit where the power steering is (I am nervous about dropping the bucks and then not having it fit). If I can find a minute or two I am going to take a look closer look at it this weekend. I'll let you know what I do. Thanks.

[rjewkes]

why not hook up the power steerin? with out it hooked up the power steering column/gearbox works harder than heck to turn the wheels and this cuases extra wear on the rag joint. its 35.00 dollars and some change to get both hoses and a new pump with reservior is only another 60. so for 95 bucks you keep powersteering, restore it to it's former glory have an easier time parking/steering from a dead stop. And less rag joint replacement.

or for 250+/- you can install a new/refurbed manual stearing gearbox and have to get the water pump to be turnable.