New member needs help w/judging question

[John Vaccaro #48497]

If I ever decide to have my 63 judged would a power steering pump that wasn't an original count against me or does a component such as a ps pump matter?

I'm new to all this...

Thanks...John

[Chuck S.]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

John, it can matter, but only if it is somehow identifiable as non-original in configuration from the power steering pump that would have come on your car originally

In other words, if the PS pump is totally different, as in never installed on 63 Corvettes, you'll get a deduct. If, on the other hand, you can find another power steering pump that is identical in all respects to the original, then it will most likely receive full credit. This assumes that the finishes on the body of the pump and the pullies is the same as it was originally. This is the perfection we all strive for, but it's hard to attain. I doubt very much that "numbers" are checked on PS pumps, if in fact, they have them.

Even if your power steering pump is judged as being atypical of power steering pumps installed on 63 Corvettes like yours, the deduct for this one item would be miniscule in the total points assigned for all the judged items.

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

John, unless you have original documentation about your car and its' original options and are willing to share it, no one can usually tell if it had P/S or not when it was born.

As Chuck said, if you add P/S go for original parts and there should be no deduct.

Harry

[Mike M.]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

if your 63 is a 340 or 360 hp engine and it has its large capacity oil pan, the power steering cylinder will interfere with the front of the pan. if the vette is a 250 or 300 hp engine, then the parts to convert to PS are readily available and if you purchase properly configured parts, you'll not take a deduct.BTW, the stock 6.70 x 15 tires turns so easily, PS probably not needed or apprecaited by the average driver. mike

[John Vaccaro #48497]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

Wow, this is very cool!! So many helpful people that frequent this site. The car is a numbers matching restored 1963 that originally was equiped with power steering. I recently bought the car and noticed the pump is leaking. I wanted to buy a new pump from paragon replace the pump then rebuild the original one when I have time but just wondered if something like a power steering pump is even judged. I've never owned a restored numbers matching car before so this is all new to me and REALLY appreciate the helpful info!! BTW the car is a 300hp car.

[Tracy C.]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

Sounds like a nice car John and welcome to the organization and our discussion board.

The 63 pump will have an oval shaped fluid reservoir and a zinc plated cap. Later model pumps have a tapered rectangular shape to them and will take a point hit.

The correct part is availible from Paragon I think.

tc

[Floyd B.]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

John,

I would highly recommend that you purchase the Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide (TIM&JG) for your model year of car (if you haven't already). When your car is judged, the judging team will literally have this document open in front of them. What better guide to use for your restoration than the guide that will be used to judge your restoration? I would also obtain a set of judging score sheets. Then use the TIM&JG to judge your car yourself. This will really help you set priorities and identify where the "low-hanging fruit" exists - i.e. how to spend your budget dollars to get the most judging points bang-for-the-buck.

Having said all that, be aware that even if you feel that you have gotten your car to conform to every word in the TIM&JG, as the name suggests, it is only a guide. The judges generally have years of experience crawling through these cars and know what they are looking for. Not all of their collective experience has been captured in the TIM&JG. But I'm fairly confident in saying that if you cover everything in that guide you will in all likelihood earn a Top Flight. Probably not 100% but something north of 95%.

Something else to consider is how you plan to progress your car through judging events. Roy Sinor wrote a good article about judging at chapter and regional/national events that appears in the latest Restorer Magazine. You might consider having the car judged at a few chapter meets before taking the car to a regional or national judging event.

Have fun with it!

-Floyd-

#38874

[Timothy B.]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

John,

I would overhaul the original pump. Use the money to buy a 1963 service manual, there is a detailed procedure for overhauling the P/S pump in the manual. I guarentee you will be glad to have it for future use. The parts are a large oring and a few small orings plus a new seal, probably everything else is fine. Go to PepBoys to get a puller for the pulley. Also, the 63 pump adjustment bracket is just a little different then later years so keep all your original stuff.

One other thing to keep in mind is that these units are power assist and usually strain when turning wheels on a car parked in the garage on a concrete floor. This is normal, they are not like today's power steering where the assist is in the steering box.

[Gary Schisler]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

I helped a neighbor rebuild his PS pump and it was really a simple job. By the time you take off the old pump (what a PITA that was on a BB) and get ready to swap in your new pump, you will have a couple of hours in it. The rebuild, iirc, was less than 30 minutes once we got the whole thing apart. If you are handy DIY projects, you might find that this is a fun one. I don't recall whether or not the PS pump rebuild is in the GM Service Manual, but it might be a good place to start.

Gary

[Chuck S.]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

"I don't recall whether or not the PS pump rebuild is in the GM Service Manual, but it might be a good place to start.

Gary, I believe the power steering pump overhaul procedure is in the complementary service volume Chassis Overhaul Manual. This is an illustration of John Hinckley's good advice earlier on manual recommendations...If you can do the work yourself, the overhaul manual is a valuable part of your library.

[Mike G.]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

if you do get docked points its no big deal. as long as your block and paint passes judging every thing else is peanuts.

[Tom H.]

Re: New member needs help w/judging question

Welcome aboard !!! Enjoy your 63 and keep the questions coming. You'll find many helpful folks around here !! Long live the 63 !!!

[Gerard F.]

Before you tear into the pump

John,

Check all of your hydraulic hoses and connections between the pump and the valve and ram. A leak in the P/S can be very deceiving as to where it is coming from.

If it is the pump, and you change it or overhaul it, replace all the hydraulic hoses with new. I found that the usual P/S leak is in hoses.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[John Vaccaro #48497]

Power steering pump/judging/THANKS!!

All of you guys have been great. I did confim the pump itself is leaking...so I ordered a new 1963 pump and pulley and plan to swap out the pump then rebuild the old pump for a spare. I really appreciate all the help and information from all of you. I have ordered a NCRS judging manual so I can make sence of it all. Thanks again!! Anyone live in the greater Phoenix area??