1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Adding Power Steering To 69 Cj5 With 283 Chevy Engine

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by eldoradojim, Aug 11, 2022.

  1. Aug 11, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    Hi, I am new to the forum, I have a 69 cj5 with an old 283 chevy engine, It has saginaw steering but i would like to have power steering..what is a good steering box to get , I would like to get one at a pick n pull, I have added double pulleys to the crank and water pump, but my alternator is on the drivers side and the power steering pump will have to be mounted there also, my alternator is mounted off the front of the exhaust manifold, looks like the belt for it will be in the way for the steering pump to mount, what have you guys done?? my old 72 chevy truck has a newer engine and has mounting holes in the head for the alternator and so the alternator is mounted up higher....im not sure how to go about doing this without changing heads or swapping in a different engine, I have a 305 i could put in there, but he 283 runs good....appreciate any help....
     
  2. Aug 12, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
  3. Aug 12, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    Does the 283 have the newer side motor mounts and are they being used? There are a lot of PS mounts made for using the left side front "motor" mount like Doug referenced, for both the older "ham" can pump and the newer Gen II pump, with or with out an integral reservoir. Speedway makes an alternator bracket for the short water pump that mounts it high on the right side utilizing a manifold bolt and a water pump bolt.
    https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Small-Block-Chevy-Upper-Alternator-Bracket-Plain,38957.html Those actually work pretty well.

    This kit is similar to what I have in my 3B.
    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaf-all48242
     
    eldoradojim likes this.
  4. Aug 12, 2022
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
  5. Aug 12, 2022
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Having fought working with an early 283 without any accessory mount holes in the heads, I feel your pain. Mine also did not have the side pad motor mounts, and used a front cradle. If you have side motor mounts you can mount the power steering pump low on driver side where the front cradle would be. I also used the high mount alternator mount duffer shows. Even though I now have a 350 with later heads, I ended up with pretty much a set up that would have worked without head accessory holes but I like the engine bay fit. But you do have to have side engine mounts and not the front cradle.
     
    Ol Fogie and eldoradojim like this.
  6. Aug 12, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    thanks for the suggestions and info, i appreciate it....
     
  7. Aug 12, 2022
    tom h

    tom h New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Buffalo NY
    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2006
    Messages:
    45
    Check out Allen Grove brackets , they have a great selection of brackets and pulleys, good luck with your work.
     
    eldoradojim likes this.
  8. Aug 12, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    thanks, how many turns of the wheel from stop to stop? i found one at a wrecking yard today that has only 2 3/4 turns...i didnt buy it yet , i was told before that i should get one that has 4 turns stop to stop....thats a good price on the one you used , thanks for the link,also, how would i know what year and model vehicle to look for to get a used 4 turn box? any ideas?
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2022
  9. Aug 12, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    Im getting rid of the front cradle mount, the engine has the side mount holes, im going with the side mounts, i like the high alternator mount, may have to get that..thanks
     
  10. Aug 12, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    thanks for the info, i like those options, didnt know they made them
     
  11. Aug 12, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    thanks, they have cool stuff,i may get the power steering bracket
     
  12. Aug 12, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    When it comes to all things SBC or LS, if you can think of what you need, chances are pretty good someone somewhere is making it.
     
    Lockman likes this.
  13. Aug 13, 2022
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    For a “slow” Saginaw box, look for a full size GM like an Impala, from the later ‘60- mid ‘70s preferably. These usually have 4 - 4.25 turns.
    -Donny
     
    Lockman likes this.
  14. Aug 13, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    FSJ’s (Full Size Jeeps) like Wagoneers, Cherokees, and Jeep Pu’s typically have the 4 turn boxes that work very well in CJ’s. I have a 2 3/4 turn box in my 59-5 and it is shall we say “twitchy” on the highway. No one drives it but me because it is so sensitive but I love it on the trails of the PNW. I don’t recommend it for most people. I used to race that Jeep so that’s one of the reasons it has one.
     
    Stakebed and eldoradojim like this.
  15. Aug 13, 2022
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    its about 4 turns.
     
    eldoradojim likes this.
  16. Aug 13, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    The C3 Saginaw box in my 3B is 3.5 turns lock to lock. It has been in there since 1975 and I still love it both on and off road. I think a lot of the problems with low numeric ratio boxes in old CJ's result from slack in the "system". If everything is tight, there isn't a lot of "twitch". If you are in herding mode, that's a really different outcome.
     
    eldoradojim and Lockman like this.
  17. Aug 13, 2022
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    Another question. Approximately what year is your 283? Do the heads have mounting bosses on the ends, or are they smooth?
    -Donny
     
  18. Aug 13, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    No slack in my system, mechanically steering and suspension is tight as is everything else on this Jeep. 3 1/2 turns is a good choice. 3 1/2 turns is a far cry from 2 3/4 turns.

    One other thing to think of is possibly drilling and tapping the mounting holes in the existing heads. Did a lot of them “back in the day”. Need to be careful about placement and depth but can be done.
     
    eldoradojim and Mcruff like this.
  19. Aug 15, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    One more question, the manual saginaw steering box that is on my jeep now has 3 mounting bolts,will a power steering box with the 3 mounting holes bolt right up? and will a box with the 4 mounting holes bolt right up also,and i could drill the 4th hole to bolt it?
     
  20. Aug 15, 2022
    eldoradojim

    eldoradojim Member

    El Dorado, Ca
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    it is a 58 283, no mounting holes in the heads, guys on here have given me plenty of info about brackets that will work with this old engine
     
New Posts