Hi all,

It's been a while since I posted here or checked in on responses. My latest task was replacing the high-pressure pwr. steering hose that blew before I tucked the old gal in for the winter. Pirtek was able to make me an exact hose, with the flow restrictor crimp in the middle of the hose and everything. They were able to reuse the old hard line and fittings as well. That is all good and gravy.

The new issue that I need guidance on is that I broke the male barb fitting attached to the pwr. steering reservoir off trying to wiggle a new 3/8 hose on and off a few times. Pictures are here.

Could this be welded back on? How can I get this fixed without replacing the whole damn unit?

Thanks all.

 

Mike,
You will have to take the reservoir off the pump and clean it really good. After that it should be able to be brazed back in place. Do you know anybody that does HVAC repair or someone at a welding shop ? Either should be able to do it but depending on what a new pump cost it might be cheaper to just replace it.

 

I just priced a new pump for my 66 cutlass, I believe that yours uses the same pump.
I could only find one company that sold the pumps with the reservoir, that was Lares Corp.
remaned pump was 287.00 , that included a 75.00 core charge part # 2080
new was 236.00 part # 12080
Nick

 

Thanks for the input so far guys.

would JB weld work in this case? Would a small flux core welder do the trick? That?s what I have in the garage.

 

You don't want it popping off goin down the road. Braze or TIG. JB would be a giant time bomb band aid IMO.
Call this guy. He may have a used reservoir or he can repair yours. Great service.

 

x2 on not using JB Weld. If you have a flux core welder you might try that. Just make sure the pump is clean before welding.

 

x3 on the JB weld. As far as welding goes unless you have had a lot of practice with welding real thin metal I would not try it. You should be able to find someone to braze it fairly cheap. Maybe the guy that DrOlds suggested would do a swap of the reservoir if he has one.

 

a flux core welder is the wrong welder for this job. You'll make a huge mess of it. This would need a tig welder or brazed.

 

Thanks for clarification on the type of welder needed. I know I couldn't weld it because every time I weld it looks like rat turds.

 

No on JB Weld. Yes to a Braze Weld.

 

If it were me, I would replace the pump.

 

^x2^ Best case scenario, honestly. More costly, but best case.

 

I have a guy in Oregon who is parting out a 1961 Olds 88, most things fit my 98 from his donor car. He does have a full pwr. steering unit that he is willing to sell me for $75. It will be a gamble since he didn't know if it leaked or not. What is everyone's two cents on this?

 

If it's the original pump it's now 65 yrs. old. If he/you can't validate it does not leak, as you said a gamble. I'll mention this. While you broke off the barb fitting, there are very tight clearances inside a PS pump. Those clearances are vital for producing the pressure required to take the low pressure (hydraulic fluid) and produce the high pressure required to easily/safely turn your wheels. Those clearances wear from use (65 yrs of use). How do you want the car to perform as you move forward & at what cost? Could nickle & dime you to death. JS

 

Norm, it has already been nickel and diming me. I want this pump replaced / fixed. I have a brand new hi pressure hose and new return line for it, waiting to be used. I want safety out of this car. Suspension bushings are rotted. I'll need new control arm bushings.
I think after I figure this pump out, I won't be spending too much more money on it, unless I win the lottery

 

Mike - It's enjoyable owning & maintaining these relics; but, there's a cost. You know what you're doing. Summer drive time is coming up. Enjoy yourself & Good Luck.

 

The pump itself is attached to the reservoir housing, so it (pump) can be replaced / rebuilt and use the reservoir housing. The o-rings sealing the reservoir can be replaced if that is an area of concern for leaking.

For $75 I would go for it just to get the reservoir. Think how much it might cost to repair the one you have.

 

The quality speaks for itself...

 

^^^^^^^^this

 

You could always buy the $75 pump and have one of them repaired. I'd probably put the $75 one on my car to drive it and send the one you have now in for repair.

It's gotten to the point that I don't turn in cores when I buy parts from the auto parts store. It's worth it to have a spare core on hand so you can always have one professionally rebuilt.

Did you check Kanter?

What about Fusick?

 

@droldsmorland Is this the same company that a member of OCA named "Chip" owns? or is it totally different? How much did it cost for your PS pump and steering box?

 

Yes, Chip kept Marty's name as that's who trained him and who he bought the business from.

I have been trying to dig out the invoice for a few days now.
I did the fast ratio, and extreme show detail options. Sent all the brackets with the pump, and he restored the rag joint, too. I want to think 6-700.
The supply/return lines, I believe, came from Inline or Fusick.

New steering box through frame bolts came from PY.
The bolts were nearly rusted in half. This is on a rust-free California car. I was very surprised by that.

Note to all: Check these bolts now!

Mike not Chip...doh!

 

For $75 I guarantee you someone local will braze it for you. Like I said see if you can find a local independent HVAC guy. What if you get this one and it leaks ??

 

Got in touch with Mike at the Powersteering.com. He doesn't have any of those reservoirs and he said he only does repairs to the pump, not reservoirs.

I ended up pulling the trigger on the reservoir / pump combo from my guy in Oregon. I should have it next week sometime. I am taking a gamble with it, but I may still check around to see if someone can braze my current damaged reservoir.

On the plus side, I am getting a straight pulley for the power steering pump. My current one is slightly bent. It'll be nice to have at least a straight pulley