63 Cj5 Herms Power Steering Conversion W/ Novak Headers

I was in deep search mode this morning looking for answers regarding my Herms power steering conversion. I’ve run into a couple issues. One, I need to do something about the power steering pump bracket. Seems that the pump is a bit too low so the belt is hitting the Ford gearbox. Has anyone else had this issues if so, how did they solve it ? Two, I was trying to identify what power steering pressure hose to purchase. Does anyone have a part number for the high pressure hose? Also, I went with the Novak block hugger headers but it’s going to be a challenge to get my steering shaft around those pipes to get to the gearbox. Should I avoid the headache and just go with outside the frame headers? I appreciate the help in advance!

 

That is a super clean chassis / drivetrain!

Have you tried giving Herm a call and ask him? He has a bunch of parts and stuff that aren't necessarily on his website, so he might have some special hoses or even hose ends that are field installable. I am sure he has seen this before.
FWIW my 56' has the same Novak heads and a Saginaw conversion and the steering linkage had to be a bit more complicated then I would have preferred. The joint out of my steering column is also at a very extreme angle, also not ideal.

 

Hi there! I appreciate your response. I see you are in Vista, I’m in Poway. From time to time I think I catch some of the things you put on craigslist. I think you’re selling a T -90 and Dana 18? Yeah, I need to give herm another call. It seems sometimes that when I do talk to him his answers are short and almost inconvenient for him, but it’s a price that I might have to pay to get the answer I’m looking for. There’s another guy here in this forum who has the same exact set up as I do except he used outside the frame headers. I’m giving those some serious consideration. I might be putting these Novak headers up for sale soon. I called Novak, they want a 20% restocking fee! I figured I can recoup my money if I sell them here on the forum. Anyway, if you’re near Poway message me.

 

I am in Vista, but the T-90/D18 combo isn't mine. I have been tempted to buy them, but my wife would kill me!

Haha, I know what you mean about talking to Herm. He is indeed very short on the phone and not one for chit-chat! I wish he was more helpful when I ordered my Dana-18 rebuild kit. He could have sold me a bunch more parts, but his triple shifter boot is pretty awesome and the parts I did receive from him were all top notch.

I use the Poway Archery Range every once in a while, and I work in Santee so I drive past Poway at least 2x a week

 

I did Herms power steering on my 58 cj5 but with a Chevy v6 with block huggers. The steering shaft is very close to the headers. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Herms setup on a dauntless and recall them using a high mount bracket for the PS pump. I’ll let you know if I find the thread. Good luck!

 

I live just about 10 minutes away from that range. Definitely reach out and private message me next time you’re in town. I’ll give you my phone number. Stop by and chat! I’d love to get another jeep enthusiast eyes on my project.

 

I appreciate the input! I figure I’m gonna have to try to find what I see some people call a “hi mount bracket” for the power steering pump. Although I thought that’s what I’ve got. I’m sure with some modifications I’ll get that to work. My biggest two challenges are getting around those headers and trying to find the proper high-pressure power steering hose. I’m sure somebody out here knows exactly what hose works and perhaps would love to share what part number it is.

 

Couple things. Hoses first. You must keep in mind you have a Ford power steering gear and a GM pump. There is not going to be a off-the-shelf hose that will work with these two items. I used a GM holes and had the end fittings from a Ford pump welded to the GM hoses.



Can’t help you with the belt hitting the pump I have a different PS mount on my motor.

I did use the fender well headers and the steering shaft is pretty easy to connect to the gear. Only a single U joint at both ends.

You should look at the bolts that hold the steering gear to the mount. It seems those bolts could be about a half inch longer. Mine have come loose a couple of times now and I just tonight took mine all apart Cleaned everything well and put Loctite on the bolts. I would have used a longer bolts if I had noticed that before today. 2.5” should be fine.

See plenty of room for longer bolts.

 

All good info. I’ll take a look and see if I can put longer bolts. Regarding the power steering hose, are you saying I’ll have to have one professionally/custom-made? You would think that this would be something that would be noted in Herms instructions.

 

I believe you will have to have one made.

 

Well, if you do have to make a custom hose, that is a pretty easy solution, and it will be a higher quality, from an industrial hydraulic shop near you. And, of course the spares you make at the same time will provide reliability. Absolutely worth the time and money in my experience.

 

If you get fittings for the pump and gear to convert to -6AN fittings, then you can build your own hydraulic hoses from scratch like I did using Earl's parts. See this post on my build thread: 71 Wheeling Rig.

Even better than a home made hose, any tractor shop can make you a custom -6AN hose with whatever angle fittings you need on the end. Now that I have my measurements, it's on my list to have some proper hoses made for mine.

 

I’ll start making some calls tomorrow to local hydraulic hose shops. See what I can scrounge up. All good info thanks guys.

And the more I think about it, I think I’m just gonna switch to either the advance adapters outside the frame headers or a set of Headman’s. Something about having to take weird angles with the steering shaft doesn’t feel right to me. I’d like it to be a straight shot from the gearbox. If I’m wrong, please let me know.
And with that said, if anybody is interested in buying these Novak headers off me, let me know. I’ve had them for a few months now when they were still somewhat easy to get from Novak. They’re brand new and never been fired up. From what I understand, just like everything else, there’s a bit of a back order/ wait for new ones. I’ll sell them for exactly what I got into them. I can’t remember off the top of my head. I think it’s some thing around $350 after shipping and tax.

 

What kind of fittings are on those Ford pumps? We have fittings up the whazoo at the shop I work at.
Converting to a -6 AN or JIC fitting would certainly make a lot of sense.
While they are almost identical AN and JIC are not the same, even though they functionally work together most of the time.
When you call a hydraulic shop, ask for JIC. AN will be more expensive and far less common in an industrial setting.

 

The hydraulic shop that I deal with at work makes power steering hoses & brake flex hoses to order. You just need to show them the ends you want, if it needs to be clocked and the length.

 

You don't know how lucky your are to have such a custom fab shop to make hydraulic hoses. I know others here have pointed to that solution, but it may not be possible for everyone!
I tried to find such a shop in the Wichita, KS area, and again in the entire Salt Lake City, UT area to no avail. The reverse flair fittings were the problem for these shops each time I took my mock up in for fabrication.
I found universal hoses that would work for my application, but the routing is a bit sloppy.

 

I’d love to see what universal hoses you are using. As Buildflycrash said earlier, I am trying to find a hose for a ford gearbox to a GM pump. It might be my fault but I didn’t do enough research about Herms conversion. I really didn’t see a whole lot of conversation about the difficulty of finding the proper power steering hi pressure hose for this type of conversion.

Does anybody have any suggestions or opinion about the steering shaft problem I’m having? Should I ditch these Novak headers and just go outside the frame?

 

I’m running some errands right now but when I get back I will post some pictures. I appreciate all the help!