Power steering issue

[TN Mopar]

I'm having an issue with my power steering and am not sure where to go from here
This is in my 66 charger which has sat for over 20 years until recently when we started poutting her back together
The power steering pump was rebuilt with a kit from Rock Auto
The steering coupler was rebuilt with a kit
The problem is very stiff steering when I turn the wheel, if you keep turning it it gets very free and turns as normal until you quit turning it, then it gets stiff again until you start the process over again
I did speak with some one at Steer and Gear. He said it was an unusual problem and suggested it was the steering coupler binding until the pressure builds up to over come it
I am wondering if anyone else might have some ideas

 

[5.7 hemi]

Get the front tires off the ground and with the engine running, start turning the wheel lock to lock to get rid of any air bubbles.

 

[Don Frelier]

I'm not buying the coupler theory.
You flushed it thoroughly I hope...

 

[TN Mopar]

I'm not buying the coupler theory.
You flushed it thoroughly I hope...

I'm not sure either
and yes the pump was totally rebuilt with clean parts and the steering box had caps on both hose ends for all this time

 

[miller]

Don't know if it will help.
But on mine, where I put new seals on the gear box, and completely re-built the pump. Once it was all installed, I primed mine, by hand. No running the engine, fan belt off, filled the pump tank with fluid, and turned the pulley by hand. Primed the entire system like that, until all air was pushed out. Worked fine.