Hey guys and gals, it’s been awhile. I have Buick 350 in my 1969 Jeepster Commando, and I was getting sick of the squealing from the stock PS pump. The old bracket kept loosening, and the o-ring around the pump kept weeping. (I run 33” tires and hydroboost brakes). I kept thinking there had to be a better way… Anyway, long story short: A man named Brennan Metcalf (who has a sweet CJ-2 flatty rock crawler with a Buick 225) has designed and built a billet aluminum PS bracket for the Buick 225/231/340/350 that fits modern-day hi pressure PS pumps. It’s MAGICAL. I run it on my Buick 350 with a hi-pressure modern PS pump I that can get anywhere. It’s powerful, even at low rpms. And no more squealing!!!! The billet aluminum is beautiful. (He’s also working on a billet aluminum alternator mount). Google up “Brennan’s Garage” on Facebook. The billet aluminum brackets run $119.00. *I am in no way compensated, related to the owner, etc. I just thought y’all might like to run your Buicks with modern PS Pumps. <https://brennans-garage.com/products/buick-225-power-steering-pump-mount?_pos=1&_sid=d5677937f&_ss=r>
It’s a GM type II pump, 3-3.5 gallons per minute and 1,500 psi. I got mine from Summit Racing (Eddie Motorsports MS100-73BK) with an Allstar Performance power steering pulley (ALL48251). This bracket makes the power steering pulley alignment PERFECT and it’s unbendable…
This comes directly from Brennan’s website. I worked with him and verified fitment on the Buick 350. “This CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum mount bolts to the drivers head providing a mount for a Type-II 'TC' style power steering pump. -This bracket is slotted to allow for belt adjustment directly at the pump and also allow 30 degrees of pump rotation to help with packaging. -All threaded features for pump mounting use replaceable captured nut pockets on the back of the bracket to allow for easy replacement. No risk of stripping out threads in the bracket. -The pump is positioned to use the 1st groove on the factory crank pulley when using pulley #48251 from Allstar Performance. The recommend Allstar pulley is a heavy offset 6" diameter unit to allow the pump to be as far away from the exhaust manifold as possible. The bracket can shaved down to be used with other pulley offsets and diameters. -The flat head mounting bolt for the inside fastener on the head provides extra space for HEI style distributor timing adjustments. -While any TC pump with 5/16 through holes will work with this bracket ( including remote reservoir units), I suggest using the Eddie Motorsports MS100-73M unit or similar (pictured above). This unit is completely new and comes with a compact attached reservoir including a dipstick cap and the return output faces the correct direction. This pump is also built to provide 1500psi and 3gpm. Other possible pump options include the following applications- Jeep MJ 4.0L 88-89 GM LLV 87-93 GM 87-89 2.5L Astro or Safari Cardone 2033776 BBB 73316113 UltraPower 2033776 Lares 12700 BBB 73311137 **EDIT by me**** -Belt- A Duralast 15385 is a very good fit for the 225/231 ( putting the pump reservoir almost perfectly vertical ). This belt is a 38.6 Circumference with a .41" width. This part number crosses to a Dayco 15385 or other similar part numbers. For a Buick 350, the correct belt is a Dayco 15415. This belt is 41.5” with a 0.41” width. -These style pumps (listed above) typically have a M16 x 1.5 O-ring pressure output port and a 3/8" return hose male barb fitting. A Russel 648060 adapter will provide a -6 AN/JIC connection that makes a custom power steering hose very easy. -Note- The feed line from your fuel pump to the carburetor may need rerouting to clear the power steering pump assembly. -Hardware to mount the bracket to the head, and the pump to the bracket, is included in the purchase price”
I would imagine so. This bracket has the 3 triangular holes that line up with the holes in the head. Pump and pulley fit in same place as a Buick 225/350.
I just ordered one! After reading up on how the old style pumps aren't the best for aggressive corner carving, I'll post pictures once I get the rest of the parts and bolt it on! Thanks so much for sharing.
Mocked up the bracket on the 350 last night, it's a perfect fit and the thing looks unbreakable! Can't wait to get the pump and pulley so I can get it all hooked up. Forgot to snap a picture but I will this weekend.
Once my stock pump dies again (it mysteriously comes back to life every time) ill definitely look into this setup.
FYI for anyone using this billet bracket on a 350, I found that the belt suggested by Brennan's Garage was too tight to get on. After trying several sizes, I found that a Master Pro 7395 (15395) works. It has a circumference of 40 1/8" and put the pump right in the middle of the adjustment range: Also a couple of other small details: I used the recommended Allstar pulley, but found that if I pressed it on flush with the end of pump shaft that it actually would contact the pump body and prevent it from spinning. So I had to pull it out a little bit which also seemed to correct the pulley alignment. Unfortunately this means the alignment could be off as I eyeballed it, but at least it can be adjusted if you're using the correct pulley install/removal tool. The pump I bought was an Eddie Motorsports MS100-73P. I had to drill out the 5/16 threaded bosses for 5/16 clearance holes. Note that the pump comes with two fittings for the pressure output, one for a steering box and one for a steering rack. Make sure you use the correct one for your application! Lastly, I found that a 135 degree fitting worked well for the pressure port. In the pictures I am using a -6an extension to the fitting for a little extra clearance, but it's actually not necessary. The return hose is pointed right at the steering box, which seems like it'd be a good thing, but there's not enough room to allow for engine movement if you run a tiny length of hose between the box and the pump, so I bent my box fitting a little more and ran a service loop of hose as seen above. Will post about how it feels and runs once I drive it!
