I have a psc hydro assist kit on my scout. Under a load the steering pump has been stalling, and smoking the belt (belt is tight). Is this a bum pump or something else?

I am running the psc pump, box, 1.75x8 ram, on a full width dana 60 and 38's.

Pump is boosted too much, not bypassing.

I blew the front seal out once:laughing:

Does the belt only go around the crank and the PS pump?

I assume you have a remote res. mount up high to get all the bubbles out.
I found it took a while to purge it. VANCO has the best write up on purging the air for a new install or empty system. Even if his is on HB brakes. Mine did that stalling at first, but after driving it a while, it seems to have gone away. I thought you had this setup on the last Con run?

I dont have a remote res, I do have a big cooler. Maybe I am getting fluid foam build up under a load.

Yes I did run it at the con last year, the only change is I swapped in a 60 in place of 44, and the 60 is spooled up so its working harder. It never gave me any trouble before. I was thinking the pump took a crap, or I need to go to a bigger ram.

I would look for a remote res. I found one at pick and pull a while back, the pump has a different can on it and a small remote res. It was half the size of the PSC one.

I bet you notice this when turning the wheel back and forth fast, like when going through a tough section and needing to stay on line. You might be sucking in some air. Not that fluid can compress, but the fliud level does go up and down in my remote res.

Cut and paste from VANCOPBS.com
F. Bleeding the Hydraulic System

1. Fill the power steering pump reservoir to the top.

WARNING: DO NOT START THE ENGINE AT THIS TIME!

2. Remove the coil wire and crank the engine for several revolutions.. (Like 2-3 seconds)
3. Turn wheels from stop to stop TWICE ( use jack to raise front tires off the ground)
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir and add if necessary.

5. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until fluid level does not drop.

6. Replace coil wire and start engine.

7. Turn off engine and depress brake pedal 4 or 5 times to relieve accumulator pressure. ( not needed for steering only)

8. Check fluid level and add as necessary.

9. Start engine and turn wheels from stop to stop.

10. Turn off engine and depress brake pedal 4 or 5 times to relieve accumulator pressure. ( not needed for steering only)

11. Check fluid level and add as necessary.

WARNING: IF AT ANY TIME THE PUMP GROWLS OR FOAMING OCCURS IN THE FLUID, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT FOR 1 HOUR AND CHECK FLUID LEVEL ADDING AS NECESSARY.

If continued bleeding does not work, fill power steering pump reservoir to top, start engine, and watch fluid level in reservoir. On occasion, the system will draw the fluid down to a point where it is sucking air. If this happens, install a piece of clean new 1 1/2” diameter x 12” - 18” long radiator hose to the neck of the power steering pump reservoir with a hose clamp. Fill the hose about half full, and restart the engine. The hose will in essence increase the capacity of the reservoir and keep the system from taking on air. After all the air is bled out of the system, the hose can either be removed, or left on to provide increased fluid capacity. The red rubber cap that comes on the new steering pump can be used to close the end of the radiator hose, but it will be necessary to punch a small hole in it to provide venting.