The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Power Steering upgrade 235 engine

I am trying to add power steering to my 1961 GMC 1/2 ton (C10 equivalent), mounted on a 1964 Rolling chassis. My question - The setup on a traditional 235 uses a 1/2 inch wide belt. Can You use 3/8 wide belts in a 1/2 wide pulley ? AND Does anyone know of double groove pulley for a SAGINAW Old Style (keyed) pump that has two 1/2 wide grooves.

Jim Wilson
NS, Canada

You can put the wrong width belt, but I would not recommend it.

I do not think you need a double belt PS pump.

I would think that the pulley on a PS pump can be changed so you do not have to run the wrong size belt.

I do not know but did that vintage have one belt for the WP, PS and Gen, or a two groove pulley on the crank.

I would try to duplicate the original pulley lay out. Jeffrey

I put power steering on my 64', and still ran the original 230. Got the OEM brackets from Tony at 4 5 6. Kinda pricey, but worked great. Have since upgraded to a 350, and will be installing A/C this winter with a Vintage Air unit. It's easy enough to do, and you'll like the way it handles.
Tramp

235 eng is different from a 230
ron

trying to understand why you are wanting the 235 on a 64 chassis. the truck isn't origihal anymore so it isn't a restoration. a 230,250 or 292 eng would have bolted in and given you better access to p/s stuff
evryone to their own; just asking.
ron

Don't know what "traditional" means in this case? The original motor was a 305 V6.
And...we would like to know the reason for the two groove request. "Traditionally" they have one groove. The crank pulley and water pump pulley have multi groove for various accessories at various positions.
U.S., 235 up to 1963 in Chevy.
Canada, 235 in GMC's up to the 50's.

Seems the 235 motor is not orig used in 61 GMC or 64 GM. Not to say it's a bad motor to use but ron has a good point as far as HP,fit and P/S compatibility.

Bart; you have to do a little more research. v6 were only used in US production.Canadian production to and inc. 62 was the 235 and the 283.
it was more than likely the 216 used up to the 50's
ron

Well, my research or your memory is wrong. I will double check. My comments are without knowing if his truck is U.S. or CN. So what part of my post is wrong? I want to know, not arguing.

Please take this debate off line and if we know about the grooved pulleys Jim Wilson deserves an answer.
Please to be getting back on the subject.
HB

Possibly useful and back on topic.
Not my info, just found this.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/413350

Inquire to Drummin52 and Grigg:
- a dodge power steering pump off of a dodge pickup, any year should work up to the year they switched to a serpentine belt setup. They are called a Saginaw P pump, commonly called a "canned ham pump" as the shape is very similar to a canned ham. (my footnote: Same as Chevy) A later pump may work as long as the shaft diameter did not change as it must be able to accept a dual groove v-belt pulley
- a dual groove V-belt pulley off of a GM truck, basically up to the last year until they switched to serpentine belt setups.

Web Blog: (they are talking about a 1961? FAM)
For a six equipped with PS, go to RPO 324, sheet 9.00, which shows the crank add-on pulley as a two groove pulley, part number 3775674, and the add-on water pump pulley (also two grooves) as 3775676. These double pulleys allow both AC and PS to be added to a plain 235 six.

where you may find a double pulley was on alternators and generator
if you could give us a link to apicture of your pump it may answer a question. does it have a pulley that is pressed on the shaft or held on by a nut? do you have an orig 235 p/s bracket or is it a made up one. I take it that your p/s pulley does not line up with your c/shaft pulley
canadian pontiacs also used 235 and 261 engs up to 62
ron

Thanks guys. Good info and inquiry.