Power steering gear box PSI difference?

[longboss351]

Hey guys,
I am new to this sight, very nice! I have a question, I have a 73 F250 crew cab with a 429CJ C6 203to a 205 long bed. I have converted it to power steering years ago. I used the 67-79 2 wd gear box. I have a Dana 60 in the front out of a 79, I put crossover steering over to the pasenger side nuckle and the 78-9 drop pitman arm. My problem is at iddle there is no power in the steering, evern rev it up and nothing. If I start to move the truck then I have power steering. I even tried the AGR"super pump" and the thing made so much noise it sounded like I had gear drive on the truck so I took it off and put a Napa pump on. " the AGR pump made no difference". I do have a 78-9 F250 4x4 gear box new to try next. Do any of you know if there is a difference in PSI on the 2 wd gear box over the 78-9 4x4 gear box? Do you think this would be the problem that a 2wd box doesent have the power that a 4wd would?? Oh ya I have 35s on it.
Thanks for any help, Chris AZ

[FORDification]

Did you have the Ford/Thompson 'pencil-neck' pump or the 'canned-ham' Saginaw pump?

[longboss351]

I have had both, now the 'canned-ham' Saginaw pump ? AGR# 847257 that style.

[averagef250]

The 2wd boxes kinda suck with big tires. You should have some power with the engine above idle though.

Sounds like you may have bad piston seals in the steering box.

Steering boxes are kinda like a mystery to a lot of people, but they're actually about the simplest thing you could ever tear into.

Pull the pitman arm and the sector cover, pull the sector right out. Pull the torsion valve off with the shaft and ballnut connected all in one piece. DON"T TAKE THE BALLNUT APART!!!!!! There's no reason to and if you do you'll turn a 5 minute job into a week job.

Inspect the piston seals and check the valve for crud. These boxes are entirely sealed with O-rings, you can take them apart and assemble them over and over without worry. The complete rebuild kit is like $20 for all new seals if you do need them.

When you put it back together preload the sector a tiny bit just to where it feels right and there's no slop. If you get some slop on the road, tighten in tiny increments until the slop is gone.

One tip, clean the lower end of the sector real well with scotchbrite or steel wool before you take it apart. The sector has to slide up through bushings and a seal to come out, if it's dinged up or rusty it'll scar up the bushings.

[longboss351]

Well thanks for the info, the box that is in it is about 6 months old and this is the 3 rd one in 3 years, just cheep Auto zone crap. I think I should just put the 4x4 box in and see what happens. Thanks again, Chris AZ

[fordman]

i dont think the 4x4 box will go on and or fit on a 2wd.

[longboss351]

Update! Ok I put a rebuilt 78-9 4x4 box in, the power steering is better but not 100%full power at idle. Any ideas why I don't have full power steering at idle? Do you guys with a 78-9 F250 have full power at idle? I am using the saginaw ham can style pump. Any help would be great! Thanks, Chris AZ

[My427stang]

What are the pulley diameters on both the pump and the crank? Ford had a few different pulley setups over the years

[longboss351]

If I remember right all?? all the pulleys are off a 79 460 but I did put a small pulley on the pump I would say a 5 or 6 inch. Even if I hold the rpm at 3k is still is not working to great. I have read about drilling the valve out a little in the back of the pump, or even take the spacers\ washers out to get more psi, what do you think? I did weigh the truck the other day, it is 7K. 429+C6+203to205to Gear vendor overdrive to a 2 piece drive shaft to D60. 4 door with 8 ft bed.
Thanks, Chris AZ