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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 117 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 117 | I am in the early stages of planning a rebuild of my '56 6500 flatbed and I am still brainstorming. How hard is it to add power steering to a big bolt? Is there a bolt on power assist kit available that will work on a big bolt? Was power steering even available on big bolts in 1956? Enquiring minds want to know. Any input is appreciated. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | 'hydraulic' steering was avail on TF trucks, big and small - had a pump integrated on the back of the generator - RPO 350 and 351 in the assembly manual - there were differences in the details car/light truck/heavy truck, tho I think the pumps were the all the same - be a pretty scarce item to find nowadays
Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 265 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 265 | The generators pop up on eBay from time to time. I have also thought of using an alternator from an Isuzu NPR if I decide to add power steering to my 2 ton. They have a pass through shaft that drives a vacuum pump. If a guy could build a coupler he would be set. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 117 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 117 | I have thought of modifying one of the Isuzu NPR alternators myself rdbates. I wonder if anyone else has used them to drive the power steering. Hey Bill(red58), I'm glad to get some good information from you again. If I were to add power steering do I need to find the entire axle or did the axle have a bracket? I do'nt think I've seen a big bolt task force truck with factory power steering before. Thanks for all the advice and information. I'd also like to ask for your ideas on adding a power steering pump, modern alternator and a/c compressor to a 261 engine. Has anyone done this before? What do I need and how did you do it? Thanks, David | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | look at my web shots link below.
in the axle conversion album there are pictures of how I attached my pump to my old generator, quite simple... | | | | | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32 | From what I understand and seem to remember hearing is if the power steering pump that was on the generator as the cars and trucks of that era locked up for any reason the shaft on the back of the generator would sheer off. I used to have a couple of those generators for a 55, 56, or 57 Chevrolet car and they were both sheered off. It might be worth using the pump for a later model that is not driven off of the generator. Just a thought. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 117 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 117 | Thanks for the input Grigg and MarkW. I have a lot to consider here. I still like the idea of using an Isuzu alternator and using the through shaft to drive an a/c compressor. I wonder if the shaft on those could handle the torque when the a/c compressor clutch is engaged. What other good ideas are out there? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 265 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 265 | Doesn't someone build a stator/magnet that mounts on the flywheel like on a lawn tractor? Something like that would sure give more room to drive accessories. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32 | I would think the Isuzu alternator route would be the way to go. If that shaft can handle the torque it takes to drive an A/C compressor it should handle a power steering pump with no problem. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 247 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 247 | If you really don't want to mount a power steering pump on the motor, you could always run a hydraulic pump off the pto port on the transmission. You could even power a hydroboost hydraulic brake booster with it if you wanted to.
If you don't mind having a power steering pump on your engine, Alan Grove Components may be able to make you brackets to mount the pump. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 | If you can find the original"generator" P/S set up,it can't be too hard to find brackets to hang a 70's or so pump on your engine,(most rod shops have 'em,and any hydraulic hose shop can build lines to mate the pump and ram. If you'd like your pump to be less visible,there seems to be plenty of room below the engine on the bigger models to build brackets off your front engine mount.Or maybe you could run an electric motor driven rig,with a toggle switch so you could shut it off unless you're parking it or moving real slow.(?)
Speed | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 117 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 117 | I'm not sure what I'm gonna do but I enjoy the brainstorming here. My truck has low miles and a tight front end so I may do nothing. I would like to add A/C as it gets hot in the summer and I'd rather deal with the steering in a cool truck. I like a lot of these ideas. Has anyone added both P/S and A/C to a big bolt w/261? If I can only have one I'll take A/C.
David | | |
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