Santa Promised.

[Lloyd's 55]

He is bringing me a new 500 PS kit. He needs your expertise on what all is needed for the easiest way. He did the research and is a little confused about everything required.

For 55 265 stock setup

500 Box
Rag Joint
Shorten steering column (locally)
PS Pump (NAPA, kind & #s)
Pullys, belts, (NAPA, kind & #s) and what else is needed. ?

Being really nice to me and needs your help. Thanks.

[Jalapeno]

You will need to replace your existing riveted balancer with the bolted type used from 60-up, modifying the riveted type to accept the third groove pulley for your PS pump is difficult. Timing marks may need to be transfered to the new balancer. The balancers are available new from GM (expensive), aftermarket (reasonable) or used (budget minded).

There are complete kits that allow you to add a modern pump to a TriFive, includes everything except the bolted balancer. This might be the most economical way instead of sourcing each item individually. The pump brackets will need to be the kind for a stock front mount engine.

If you are tackling the column mods yourself, there are several column modification kits to choose from, most have instructions, some are better than others. A stick shift column CANNOT be used with the 500 gear (or any other PS gear), only an auto trans column. Any trans that is floor-mounted is OK.

You can have hoses custom made at any hose shop but there are hose sets available for this application that would probably be cheaper and guaranteed to fit.

Give me a call at the shop 972-552-2221 any weekday 9-5, I am just east of Dallas and can help you if you have more questions.

[Lloyd's 55]

Jalapeno. Thank You for taking time to explain all that is involved. I had hoped that for $700 or $800 I could add the PS if I installed it myself. Finding all the required parts and pieces is ovewhelming, if not impossible for me and I really hate not doing it while the car is open and ready. My steering box leaks badly and it galls me to have to pay Ecklers prices for a rebuilt standard box, but it looks like that's what I'm stuck with. Oh well, a good dream. So many have done it and it appeared doable (like so many things) to be the time to do it. Thanks much for all the information.

[henrys57wagon]

Not that you asked but would there be any advantage to having your existing box rebuilt? Good day, Henry.

[Jalapeno]

Jalapeno, I had hoped that for $700 or $800 I could add the PS if I installed it myself. Finding all the required parts and pieces is overwhelming, if not impossible for me...

Lloyd, your budget is VERY CLOSE to the cost, and if you are willing to do the column mods yourself (not difficult with the right kit) and if you install everything yourself, you can do this.

Since you are not far from me, give me a call at the shop, 972-552-2221, I will make you a TriFive member deal :tu .