'74 Power Steering conversion

UPS just delivered my power steering parts! I got the following off of an '85 CJ-7 off of eBay for $175:

pump, pump brackets, steering box, steering box brackets, hoses, pitman arm, and steering shaft.

I know there has been a lot of discussion about the conversion on this forum, but there is one issue that I've never seen resolved. On a '74 258, the alternator is on the drivers side and the power steering pump (according to the FSM) is on the passenger side, which is the exact opposite of '76+ 258s.

I picked up an alternator bracket that goes on the passenger side so I can put it over there if my alternator will fit the bracket.

What have the rest of you intermediate guys done? Do you mount the ps pump on the passenger side and then modify the hoses? Do you mount the pump on the drivers side and relocate the alternator? What does relocating the alternator entail? Any wiring issues? Do you move the regulator to the passenger side fender or rewire it? Or do most of you just go to an aftermarket one-wire alternator?

Thanks,

Ron

 

I found a mid seventies pacer in a junkyard and took everything from the timing cover out.It was the easiest swap i ever performed. I would fear however, that mid seventies AMC cars are getting pretty scarce. My source for parts had a yard full of stuff. Be happy to share his info if you like. He is in central NC. I also took a few photos i could post if you think it will help.

lowderthanever@bellsouth.net

 

Pictures are always welcome! Thanks!

As far as parts, I looked into using a power steering system from an intermediate CJ or similar year AMC; the only guy I could find who had everthing wanted $800! Ouch! Since I've already got all the stuff from the '85 CJ-7 so I'm going to have to either relocate the ps pump or the alternator. I think I've got all the brackets I need. In addition to the bracket attached to the pump from the CJ-7, I picked up a full set of engine brackets from an '87 YJ just to have extra pieces in case I have to start modifying and fabricating.

My main question is to those who've done the same swap. Assuming most of you use parts from newer Jeeps/AMC's (76+), do you have any advice (or better yet, pictures!) on locating the ps pump/ alternator?

I know a lot of you are sick of reading posts about how to do a power steering conversion, but I haven't found anything in the archives that deals with this particular issue.

Thanks guys!

 

Plenty of rusty AMCs here is SE WI. They must all be still running strong down South there and have not made it to the salvage yard yet.

I would just do what fits with the brackets you have. Using the factory brackets is the easiest and fastest way to finish your project, and it will look better. IMHO it does not matter which side the pump or alt are on, as long as it is safe and it works.

IIRC the 74 Jeep has a Ford alternator, the 85 had a Delco with an internal regulator, you may want to convert to a Delco one wire. I think that may be the difference in the location.