Power Steering Pump vents all fluid

[justavillain]

I have had a lot of work done on my Super Bee's 440 and one way or another the Federal power steering pump pulley was damaged (solid disk no spokes). It was replaced by a slightly wider one that I was told is actually OEM for the car. the replacement one is the 3 spoke design slightly wider. It fits the car the belt doesn't rub etc. However it likes to vent all of the fluid out every time I drive it. With the older pulley it never did that was on the pump never did that. I am thinking it is over driving the pump and causing issues. But at the same time I have no idea for sure.

There has been a lot of work done to the car and I remember having to fiddle with the spool valve for some reason not that long ago. I have been fighting loose steering for a while and rebuilt the coupler and working on the headers I think I ended up having to redo the alignment on the spool and it tracks fine, when the car has fluid on it it power steers fine, quite, works a treat. When it is done venting all the fluid while driving it squeals and I have to add more fluid. I can't say for sure where it is coming from as when I let it idle in the barn on stands it doesn't show it as foaming or venting out the cap or a line. Now that it is winter I can let it idle a little longer with a fan on and try and have the better 3/4 turn the wheel while I watch.

I thought initially it was sucking air. I pulled the lower pressure line off and replaced it with stronger hose and a constant pressure clamp, removed the high pressure line added some tape to the threads, and retightened it. The spool seems to be sealing well. But not sure how to actually check that part. I am not sure if there is an internal pressure leak that is causing it to eject it all or if that pulley is it. I know the cap is vented and maybe that is the source of the air leak? I might in my barn have the old pulley but not totally sure I can look after work and get some measurements.

I do have a back up used federal pump however it doesn't have a pulley either so I would end up replacing it with the one on the car.

The car is a mix of parts initially it was a 383 car and someone made it an A12 clone so I don't know if the pump is original to the 383 or if it was changed along the way. I do know that it has had a few engines in it but it was a factory power steering car. Any help on testing it or what to look at is appreciated!

 

[pnora]

Pumps are pumps. Once the system is cavitated severely it can be a bugger to get the air out. Add fluid when its cold. Let it sit over nite and see where the level is. If ok start the car and shut it off let it sit over nite. Next day check and add to level. Start car and turn just one way and back to center, shut off and watch the level. Eventually it will quit rising and burping air.

 

[justavillain]

you'd think with 15 years in firefighting and 10 of them as an equipment operator I would understand cavitating pumps....

I will try and let it gravity bleed, and then single side bleed for a few days and see what's up. Thanks

 

[R413]

Is the new pulley smaller or larger diameter than the old one?

Tape on the threads of the high pressure line does nothing, what seals the nut to the line? Nothing! The sealing of the (2000 psi) high pressure line is the flare on the end.

The power steering pump doesn't care the size of the engine, it just turns the pulley.

I've not had problems getting the air out of classic mopar PS pumps.

 

[493 Mike]

Is that pulley a press fit item? If so the pump could be damaged by pressing on the pulley without disassembly to support the main shaft. If the pump has a threaded hole the pulley could be drawn on with nut. Just can't remember what the Federal design was.
Mike

 

[justavillain]

I want to say the new pulley is slightly larger. I will check when I get home if I have the old pulley also. I believe the pump is a press on not screw on.

What I am thinking is the replacement pulley is for an AC car and mine was never an AC Car.

 

[justavillain]

A little update, the replacement federal pump has a 7-1/4 outside diameter pulley on it. The pump on the car has a 7” pulley. The one that was on it not long ago was 5”

And the smaller pulley should spin the pump faster not slower like the larger ones.

I went and topped it off but it was full from the last time it was out on the road. Tomorrow after work I’ll run it a little and see if I can burp the system.

Also the federal pump can be driven on with a threaded rod but I do not know if it was pressed on or a tool was used to thread it on. I will assume the worst and that it is pressed on.

 

[khryslerkid]

The fluid level should be just about the bottom of pumps filler neck. You're not over filling it?

 

[justavillain]

Initially I was but for the last few months I have not. When I open the lid I can see the pump clearly there is no fluid in it. And it starts to squeal. It’s slightly over full right now.

I don’t see any drips below the car near the pump and it’s been sitting for about 3 months now without starting and the level is full.

Tonight after work I’m going to start the car and roll the wheel over a few times and see if it drops the level again. Like it’s burping the air out. Then draw the excess fluid out with a clean syringe.