V-Belt Power Steering Pump Brackets

[1986K15Jimmy]

Hey all, I’m having trouble figuring out what’s going on here with the power steering pump pulley. It’s a V-Belt system w/ AC from a 305 that i’m swapping over to a 350 I just rebuilt, and I stupidly didn’t take any pictures before removing the brackets. I have what looks to be an eighth to a quarter inch or so gap between the ac bracket and the power steering bracket.

I do know I’m missing a curved piece on the bottom backside of the pump which might just solve my problem, but it was misplaced and I can’t find it right now. But I was hoping a fresh set of eyes could guide me in the right direction when I get back on it in the morning, as I’ve been at it for 12 hours and it’s 5:30AM.

Thank you

 

[75gmck25]

GM used slightly different belt arrangements over the years, so the setup on my ‘75 is similar to yours, but not identical. Mine had the big A6 compressor, so some of the brackets were really substantial.

I have two suggestions.

Option 1 - slightly loosen up the bolts on all the brackets so you get a little play, and then put the bolt back in where you see that space. Then tighten that bolt first to close the space, tighten all the other bolts again, and check the belt alignment. If belt alignment is good, then call it done. Sometimes there is just enough play in everything to make it hard to reassemble.
Option 2 - check PS belt alignment and verify it is good. Add a couple of washers to fill in the current gap between brackets, tighten the bolt and call it a day. As long as the belt aligns and it’s all tight, everything will be fine.

Where are you located in Minnesota?

 

[1986K15Jimmy]

GM used slightly different belt arrangements over the years, so the setup on my ‘75 is similar to yours, but not identical. Mine had the big A6 compressor, so some of the brackets were really substantial.

I have two suggestions.

Option 1 - slightly loosen up the bolts on all the brackets so you get a little play, and then put the bolt back in where you see that space. Then tighten that bolt first to close the space, tighten all the other bolts again, and check the belt alignment. If belt alignment is good, then call it done. Sometimes there is just enough play in everything to make it hard to reassemble.
Option 2 - check PS belt alignment and verify it is good. Add a couple of washers to fill in the current gap between brackets, tighten the bolt and call it a day. As long as the belt aligns and it’s all tight, everything will be fine.

Where are you located in Minnesota?

i’ll try the belt alignment check first, and see if it’s good. Either the guy I bought of from took out the AC, or the original owner did, but the compressor wasn’t there, so I’m not sure what other, if any brackets are missing from that.

I do know that there was one that connected to the bottom accessory bolt behind the pump, and it curved up to where the stud on the back is, but I can’t for the life of me find a picture of it, or find where I placed it. Is that one super important, or can I run without, until I eventually do find it?

I’m from the mankato area

 

[1986K15Jimmy]

i’ll try the belt alignment check first, and see if it’s good. Either the guy I bought of from took out the AC, or the original owner did, but the compressor wasn’t there, so I’m not sure what other, if any brackets are missing from that.

I do know that there was one that connected to the bottom accessory bolt behind the pump, and it curved up to where the stud on the back is, but I can’t for the life of me find a picture of it, or find where I placed it. Is that one super important, or can I run without, until I eventually do find it?

I’m from the mankato area

I figured it out. I was able to find a picture and it looks instead of a regular bolt in the power steering pump bracket, I needed a stud with a nut which I luckily saved. It looks like the nut is the right thickness to straighten everything out.

Thank you for the advice