Thread: P. Steering pump for 56 Nomad

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OK, here's one for you sharpies. I'm trying to add vintage power steering to my 56 Nomad. It's the type that uses a ram on the tie rods instead of the 605 type that gets its power from the steering box. I know that the original pump was on the end of the generator. Since I'm now using an alternator I want to use a pump that runs off the front pulley.

I've been told that the pumps for the 605 type boxes put out too much pressure and will blow out the seals on the ram. Is there a pump around that will work with the old style P. S. or can I decrease the pressure of a late style Pump?

Thanks for any help...Nomad Mike

There are a few companies making a pressure reducer for power steering, most generally used on cars with MII suspension and a chevy power steering pump... Not sure it would lower the pressure enough for the old slave cylinder or not.... Might be worth a call to somebody's tech department to see how much it will reduce the pressure... I don't believe the old style Chevy pumps that ran off the generator put out a lot of pressure.....

Try an early model Corvette ('63 thru '67 - ?)- they ran a piston type power steering system. Earlier models may have also, just haven't seen a stock unit in so long I can remember.