2.3L ('83-'97) Power steering unit has bring bolts in block

[Do it yourself Debi]

Someone please help me! My water pump went out on me 08/21/21 and the belt came off the pulleys. I only noticed because I had no power steering. Thankfully I wasn't far from the house and got it safely home. The next day, I replaced the water pump and also the alternator due to the voltage regulator being bad. Long story short, my p/s unit has at least 2 bolts which are broken off in the engine block. And since I'm unable to fix it correctly myself, and I'm unable to pay a mechanic to fix it, my brother in law "tied it up" with a ratchet strap and some mechanics wire and that worked for several months...... Until Sat night. So after replacing the 2 parts and 1 heat headache later, I started up my truck and the belt popped right off. I take a look under the hood, yet again, and I see that the p/s unit pulley wasn't lining up with the others so I re-rigged it. Annnd I made it around a few corners, ......... And the belt came off again! Now, I know that my options are limited until I can extract the broken bolts, and repair it correctly, but does anyone know how I can limp it along for just a little longer? I appreciate all your suggestions, comments and advice.
Thanx so much!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Bypass the PS and end up with bigger guns?

( put on a shorter belt to bypass PS. Not sure how feasible this is....)

 

[Do it yourself Debi]

BIGGER GUNS!!
Not only are you funny, but you're clever too! I'm a little surprised AND more than impressed. I, myself, would've never thought of that! Thanx! Wish me luck

 

[Shran]

You might be able to buy a belt for a truck that did not come with power steering (was optional in '94.) That should be the right length. I would expect the power steering reservoir to overflow and make a mess if you run it this way, they tend to do that if you turn the wheel while the pump is not turning.

Should be able to fix your broken bolt problem pretty easily, in my experience broken off bolts are usually not very tight... drill into the bolt and use a bolt/screw extractor to turn the stub out of the hole. Hope they're not seized in there, that can really complicate things.