the SBC 350 TBI motor I purchased a couple weeks ago came with a power steering pump with 3 hoses off of it. I know it came from an 87 1ton van, but don't know what the extra hose would be used for. Anyone know? The person I purchased the engine from isn't returning my phonecalls....

thanks,
chris

That is for the return on a hydro boost brake system. 1 tons and all diesels do not use vacume boost.

Possible that it led to a power steering cooler?

definatly part of the hydroboost.

I agree with the hydroboost.....
Normally cooler lines run in hte return line, low pressure side....:skull:

Thanks for the info gang. Since I don't have a hydrabooster, I'll remove it and put aside for possible upgrade lateron. The imprtant task is to get the SBC installed!

later,
Chris

The 350 TBI that I got from a 89 G20 van also has two returns on the PS pump. I can't remember for the life of me if it had a hydroboost...but it is only a 3/4 ton.

The vans like the hydraboost because of the limited underhood space. Hydraboost fits much nicer that a vaccum booster. Even 3/4 ton could have hydraboost.

Originally posted by tys
Thanks for the info gang. Since I don't have a hydrabooster, I'll remove it and put aside for possible upgrade lateron. The imprtant task is to get the SBC installed!

later,
Chris

Hey, no need to remove it.All you need to do is plug off the extra line.You can do this with a piece of hose and a bolt if need be or whatever strikes your fancy. The pump will work better than a the typical 1/2 ton 2 line pump because the hole inthe bypass valve has a larger diameter hole in it.This allows the pump to flow more fluid. You can modify a standard pump to flow more by drilling this hole bigger and strecthing the spring...But, you already have the pump on the block so keep it..Hope this helps..If you have any questions post back. :D

And my van pump has a remote reservoir :D

Originally posted by onetonwillysands10
The pump will work better than a the typical 1/2 ton 2 line pump because the hole inthe bypass valve has a larger diameter hole in it.This allows the pump to flow more fluid. You can modify a standard pump to flow more by drilling this hole bigger and strecthing the spring.
How sure of this are you? I was told by several people that the only difference was the tank being larger and the extra return line. My hydro-boost pump is leaking and I have a nearly new regular pump (from the Sub that donated my 350) that I was planning to swap on.

I was also told all are the same. Had a buddy in my club take a bunch and test them - he said they were all the same.

Originally posted by BadDog

How sure of this are you? I was told by several people that the only difference was the tank being larger and the extra return line. My hydro-boost pump is leaking and I have a nearly new regular pump (from the Sub that donated my 350) that I was planning to swap on.

Ok fella's I am sure at least with every one I have ever touched. parts store will tell you the pumps are the same regardless of 1/2 vs. 1 ton.The pumps are the same..The difference is in the size of the inner diameter of the hole in the bypass valve..The difference is like 60 to 80 thousands of an inch so I would imagine it would be difficult to see with the naked eye...Also, this is from personal experience...ran 1/2 ton pumps and burned them up every 2-3 months for a year 6 years ago with 44's on the front 60 on my willys...Switched to the hydro boost and 5 years later it is still kicking(maybe not as graceful as when new) ..I had this same argument with Matt Burkett who owns AGR years ago on a trail ride in Monteagle..He gave me the same story of there is no difference in the pumps...Once again this is right because the difference is in the diameter of the hole(at least in the ones I have seen). As well, my personal experience says otherwise and I have personally taken them apart and mic'd the holes.I have seen a few differences in some in regard to the spring as well..Either try it out or toss it and put a regular one on.But, it makes more sense to expect a system that requires the hydroboost to flow more fluid than a system that doesn't have it.:D

Originally posted by onetonwillysands10
it makes more sense to expect a system that requires the hydroboost to flow more fluid than a system that doesn't have it.:D
No argument here. I agree totally, which is why I originally suspected it would be different. Then, several people who seem to be well acquainted with such things told me there were no differences. Based on what you just told me, I guess I will change the bypass valve from the HB pump to the standard pump and add an external cooler to increase capacity (hydro boost brakes, PS, and (eventually) hydro assist) when I change the pumps. Thanks for the info.