So, I've been working on the '63 Suburban. I finally stopped trying to
figure out how to get a stock-looking hose for the power steering, and
instead figured out what's available from industrial hose places and how
to make it work.

It works.

Well, the hose works.

This is a 1963 Chevy Suburban, with a Saginaw power steering box from a
69-72 1/2-ton. So it's the nice herky box, with 'merican threads on the
fittings. Pump is approximately the same vintage, but it's very much
'mystery meat'. I've shot my wad as far as hobby dollars for December
and part of January on this, so there's no buying parts until I save up a
bit.

I got the thing put together and fired up the engine (which is not a
trivial operation, given the gas in the tank). Since both the pump and
the box were bone dry, I expected some drama when the thing first ran --
and got some, with the power steering fluid foaming out of the pump and
generally resembling whipped cream.

But that's not why I'm writing. There are two troublesome things I've
noted, and that's why I'm asking:

Troublesome thing one is minor -- the thing makes excessive pump noise
when it's "powering". I assume that this is because the fluid is foamy,
but if it means a trashed pump I'd like to know.

Troublesome thing two is more, well, troublesome. Going to the left I
have power steering (and lots of pump noise). Going to the right the
steering effort is much higher, although perhaps not as much as fully
"not there" power steering.

I assume that either the steering box was bad from le yarde du junque
from which I picked it up, or that sitting dry in the truck for the last
five years has let some delicate little valve stick open or closed. I'm
wondering if continued efforts to free it up (by running the truck moving
the steering from lock to lock) are going to do any good, or if I should
just plan on pundling up a ton-o-cash for a new box.

--
Tim Wescott
Control system and signal processing consulting
www.wescottdesign.com