232 power steering

just found your forum a few weeks ago. finally, a group dedicated to my beloved cj [72-75]. i've gained much knowledge just from reading previous posts, but i'm stumped on a project and need some help. my 72 cj5 has manual steering and i'm in the process of converting to power. I was given a frame and front axle from a 76 up cj5 the parts i could salvage were the steering box,pitman arm,tilt steering column, and not much else. i was mocking stuff up the other day when i noticed that the power steering box only had 3 bolt holes like my manual box. i was under the impression that the "newer" style box had 4 holes, is it possiblethat this is an early power steering box that ended up on a later model frame? I also noticed that my manual [stock] lower shaft fits right into the bell at the end of the box. is this swap as easy as it seems to be? if any of you have done this swap i would appreciate your input. Also, anyone know how to mount a power steering pump on a 232 sixer? i just went outside with flashlight and i see no threaded holes in the block and the alternator looks to be in the way thanks in advance. mike

 

Four Wheel Drive Hardware only lists one power steering box for 1972 - 86 CJ. Possibly the one you have is a manual to power conversion that someone did. I think the three hole boxes came off of certain passenger cars. I could be wrong, but I don't believe that Jeep ever used the 3 hole boxes. I'm sure someone will chime in here if I'm off base on this. I've read article that say the 3 bolt is just fine though. I highly recommend a steering box brace that goes from the box to the other side of the frame. You can buy just the clamp that goes around the snout on the box from http://home.foothilloffroad.com/home.jsp and fab the rest.

 

There are no holes to mount the pump to the 232. That wasn't an option with that engine so you have to either make your own holes or switch enigines.

 

One of my wheeling buds has powrer steering on his 232 cj6.
I'll ask him to shoot me a few pics.

 

Talked to my buddy, he swapped to later timing chain cover, (258) swapped sides on the alt.
The hard part was finding the brackets.

 

Oh, and welcome from Colorado!

 

Thanks for all the replys. you guys rock! after the holiday i hope to get some pics of my own up. thanks again

mike

 

Mike if you need more info pm me a phone # and I'll have Tim call you.
He could explain alot better than I did.

 

No offense, but I am very skeptical of this claim. AFAIK there are no significant differences between a post-71 232 and 258 that do not relate directly to the difference in displacement; rods, pistons, crank, maybe the oil pan (to clear the longer crank throw of the 258). IIRC when I bought my '75 CJ-6, I had my choice of 2 on the lot, one with a 258 and one with a 232, otherwise identically equipped with PS.

 

Here's my '77 258-equipped truck with factory power, alt on right and PS on left. If you can find a 72-81 258 Jeep with PS, you should be able to take all the bits you need to convert to PS.

 

tim, thanks for the pics. they have helped tremendously.i printed a few out, and i'll be hitting all the local boneyards this week after work.
thanks again for all your replys guys, this is by far the most informative web site {and friendly} that i have found

mike

 

There was some changes to the water pump in 73' so some pulleys might not line up if you use ps brackets off a newer 6 cyl. Can you post a part number for the three bolt steering box?

 

the most prominant set of numbers cast onto my box are 7826692 56 140
there also is a large 9 cast into the side.
2


mike

 

there is also a 92 cast into the side, sorry for the typo.
mike

 

Boink's pic of the power steering pump looks familiar. I have a stock aluminum York A.C. mount with the P.S. bracket attached. I haven't used it and may not. I pulled it out of an AMC Pacer and thought the lower bracket was for an alternator.

 

good news i hope! found a guy within 50 miles from home that has a yard full of AMC cars. Pacers,Gremlins,Hornets,Etc. If i have hit the motherload of junkyards as i hope i have, i'll ask his permission to post a name. I plan on taking my camera, i see any thing interesting, i'll post it.

 

just got back from the junkyard! Brought home a power steering pump with all the brackets, an alternator mount for moving the alt. to the passenger side,water pump twin pulley,and the water pump. I got all the parts off of an early 70s gremlin with a 232 and a 3 speed manual.Glad i decided to nab the water pump, the one that is on my 232 only has one mounting tab for a ps bracket {its a big hole, not even threaded}, the one from the gremlin is identical except that there are 2 mountin tabs for the ps bracket to mount to. After the water pump and power steering pump install {which look pretty simple now}, the only problems i see are mounting the alternator bracket to the timing cover. May be some fab work involved here {haven't got that far yet}. depending on the degree of hangover in the morning, i plan on mocking some of this stuff up in the early afternoon.Will keep you guys posted.
mike

 

I am not sure but it may have helped to grab the timing cover also. I do know that on my 73, the 75 and newer alt brackets will not bolt right up. I am doing something similar, but you are ahead of me in the game so I will watch what you are doing. Did you happen to run across any installations on any of the vehicles where the power steering pump was mounted on the pass side?