Power Steering Pumps

Chrysler only used two basic styles of pumps - the Chrysler/Federal series and the Saginaw models.

Here are some photos of the three Pumps that were available at different times. The common Chrysler/Federal pump is on the left. The Federal style pumps are also referred to as the 1.06ci pump, for their displacement. Although displacement is greater than the Saginaw, it uses a two-stage flow control valve. At low speeds, fluid travels through two orifices, allowing 2.7gpm to the gear. At speed increases, a valve moves, covering one orifice and cutting flow down to 1.6gpm. This improves steering at low speeds, while improving feel at higher speeds.

The Saginaw pumps are referred to as the .94 pump. This pump has less displacement, and only offers single stage flow control. Both styles of pumps regulate pressure with shims and a pressure relief spring. You can alter the pressures by altering the number of shims in the flow control valves. The Federal pump must be dis-assembled and the valve is on the back of the pump body itself. The Saginaw pump contains the valve in the pressure hose fitting on the back of the reservior. In addition, a larger pulley will slow the pump, helping with the poor feel of the power units. These are the basic pumps. There are slight variations in pump models depending on the engine/chassis...input shaft location can be different and most pumps have different return line locations.

Given the features, and pressures from the chart to the right, it could be said that the best road feel would be had with an A or E body Federal style pump. Not only does it have the lowest output pressure, but the Federal's two-stage valve would help things as well. Adding a bigger pulley would help further. Another big boost in road feel comes from using an aftermarket 14" steering wheel. The smaller wheel raises resistance and increases feedback quite a bit. Changing shims would also provide more or less power assist to "customize" the feel.

OEM pressures are as follows...

V,L - Valiant/Dart........................................0.94 pump   900-1000psi 
                                                                      1.06 pump   950-1050psi

B,J - Barracuda/Challenger.........................0.94 pump  900-1000psi
                                                                       1.06 pump  950-1050psi

R,W - Satellite/Belvedere/Coronet..../6.....1.06 pump  950-1300psi
                                                              V-8..1.06 pump 1150-1300psi
                                                                   0.94 pump 1200-1300psi

P,D - Fury/Polara/Monaco......smallblock....0.94 pump 1200-1300psi
                                                  bigblock.......1.06 pump 1150-1300psi

C,Y - Newport/New Yorker/Imperial/300....1.06 pump 1150-1300psi
 


 
 
 

These brackets were purchased from Paddock. They're advertised as OEM replacements to fit Saginaw 69-71 Pumps only. They actually fit any Saginaw pump with some creative grinding....

Here they are holding the early Saginaw to an MP alum. housing. 

The pics below show the brackets on their intended pump. In the back, you can see the two mounting studs and the
central location of the return tube.

 
The photo on the left shows the brackets on the early Saginaw. The early pump only has an upper mounting stud, so the lower leg is simply not used. The problem is that the return tube is directly in the way of that leg. You could just cut that leg off, but I chose to just clearance-grind it in case I ever wanted to switch to the late Saginaw pump.

The front side of the pumps have the same mounting pattern, so that side is a direct bolt-on for either pump. Notice the orientation of the pump on the brackets. The early pump tilts farther out, taking up most of the space toward the battery. This early pump usually has a big pulley on it, so it would help with road feel right out of the junkyard, but it also takes up the most space under the hood. Also, as you can see, common brass propane fittings from the hardware store can be brazed to the steel line, allowing you to adapt to AN lines for custom hoses. As far as I know, the angle of the flare is the same. Regardless, I can attest that they definitely dont leak.

 
Here's a pic of the Federal pump and its brackets. It's a whole different arrangement from the Saginaw, but the pump is located closer to the water pump, providing extra clearance on the battery side. Not only is this setup the best from a performance standpoint, but it's the smallest arrangement and is the nicest looking of the three options.

It's not shown here, but there is one bolt hole on the back of the pump body which matches a tab on the back side of the mounting bracket.
The hole can be seen in the pics above.

One other note on the Federal pump...The Saginaw brackets are commonly available from resto houses, but the Federal brackets dont seem to be very popular. You may be forced to find junkyard brackets for this pump.