Smaller/lighter Power Steering Pump mount brackets?

[Natedog]

Both of my 87 Rangers are originally AC equipped trucks and even though I removed all of the air conditioning stuff, I still have the HUGE multi-peice AC/PS pump bracket. At the moment I have it all torn apart and am swapping my PS pump, fan and fan clutch, and accessory belts.

Are there smaller/lighter power steering pump mount brackets for the 2.9? If not, has anybody ever cut down, drilled out, fabbed up a smaller lighter weight less in the way bracket? Pics?

 

[AllanD]

Nate,

I'm not sure exactly how you'd "lighten" the 2.9 PS bracket without
making it a lot less rigid.

There really is only that front plate that allows for the jack screw belt adjstment,
the aluminum brace that goes rearwards to the boss on the head and the side of the block doesn't weigh spit

AD

 

[Natedog]

AllanD, agreed on the aluminum peice and the steel bar side brace. The large steel front plate assembly is heavy though and the whole mount system is quite large and so I would like to make it smaller and lighter if possible. I think they were all the same with or without AC, but not sure. Only place I see anything is to cut off the AC ear on the aluminum bracket at a 45* but not too much or it will weaken the bracket.

 

[High Desert Ranger]

How much weight are you gonna save. 1lb, 2lbs?

 

[holyford86]

umm, the front bracket is 2 piece. the back one unbolts, everything holding the P/S pump has to stay

 

[AllanD]

Yes, they are all the same with or without A/C

Without AC there is a washer that goes between the steel bracket and the aluminum piece.

With A/C the pivot for the A/C bracket goes there.

AD

 

[Natedog]

How much weight are you gonna save. 1lb, 2lbs?

It all adds up. As Smokey Yunick said, "Take care of the ounces (weight) and the pounds will take care of themselves." Said in regards to building race cars.

umm, the front bracket is 2 piece. the back one unbolts, everything holding the P/S pump has to stay

I know but looking for a replacement as stated in first post this thread.

Yes, they are all the same with or without A/C

Without AC there is a washer that goes between the steel bracket and the aluminum piece.

With A/C the pivot for the A/C bracket goes there.

AD

That's what I recalled seeing....thanks guys.

BTW, the steel piece seems to like to crack vertically right at the bend near the mount points to the timing cover. Both of mine are cracked, one I stop drilled years ago and welded...it is cracked again but stopped at the 1/4" hole I drilled and purposefully didn't weld up when welding the crack.

 

[High Desert Ranger]

It all adds up. As Smokey Yunick said, "Take care of the ounces (weight) and the pounds will take care of themselves." Said in regards to building race cars.

And you're building a race car?

 

[Natedog]

And you're building a race car?

Yes. No, but less weight helps handling and acceleration. You can add HP (usually costs $$$), remove weight (usually free or cheap) or do both.