[Power steering leak and less assist]

My 72, small block, seems to have picked up a power steering issue in the past week. It put a small wet spot, a couple times, on the floor of the garage. Seems to do it while running. The bottom of the pump is wet with fluid, not dripping, but wet. Power assist is down about 20% and is less smooth. It may be the original pump, I'll check the log book. I know there is a high pressure nut that can come loose.

I was nearby there last fall when I changed the water pump so it has been touched recently. I believe there are seal kits for your current pump and new pumps to be had. I don't seem to see any power steering pumps in my chevy by the numbers book. I will continue to look up troubleshooting order. Advice appreciated.

[What did you do to your Monte Carlo today?]

26 minutes ago, stangeba said:

You have speed / cruise control!!!!! I love it!!!

I added it about 30 years ago to my 71 350 4BBL No A/C.

It's been there since day one. Car was stolen in 04, so the stick was replaced with an Olds unit. I have the original stick, just needs rewiring. It works, it engages about 1mph higher than you're going when you set it.

[What did you do to your Monte Carlo today?]

Been working on the weekends.

I had a fuel filter on the car since 02, back when I didn't make so many decisions on the car, nor knew as much. Filters on the pressure side of the pump are bad, especially plastic ones that can fail over time, or weak glass, as they can break. Either way, you get a 6psi fuel leak. I cut mine open and found nothing, see below. I have a repro steel line going in, and will run on the Q jet filter and sock. I may put one in on the suction side later.

Painted a water pump, and touched up rails on the NOS radiator. Pulled valve covers, decently clean for 50 years. Mounted the water pump, then went after accessories. Finished up with the fan and alt belt tensioning.

[What did you do to your Monte Carlo today?]

The Hot Rod Power Tour Long Haul in 2018 put the water pump on its way out. Car got parked in late 2020 for repair. Last year I acquired a nice nos radiator from Mr. Richey here as the car has traditionally had flow related heating issues. I have both a low miles takeoff 72 corvette water pump and a rebuilt one to choose from.

While I am there, I am doing belts, hoses, thermostat, fuel filter, and replacing the fuel line from pump to carb to get rid of the aftermarket filter that has been there 20 years. Previously I removed all the hoses and lines and drained fluid. Today, I pulled the top plate, radiator, shroud, then hopped in and got the clutch fan. Loosened all belts, AC could just sit there, removed alternator, and PS pump is hanging on one bolt and hoses. Pulled water pump, thermostat, and fuel line, and called it good for the day.

Taped up the ports in new radiator for leak check and flushing and did that.

I am checking to make sure I have everything. I need to replace some bolts and chase some threads, the thermostat housing into intake bolts I don't want to reuse. The long alternator bolt was galled to the aluminum but turns, and the threads are fine.

Please pardon my aftermarket radiator jug, it has been there 50 years and my grandfather put it on. It does well where it is. The red heater hoses on the floor in one pic are staying gone, however.

[Not a good day]

My sympathies on the cat. I like both cats and dogs; it's a different relationship.

[I Just Noticed]

Being both a MC owner and a Oldsmobile owner, BOP (Buick Olds Pontiac) owners, I guess along with Cadillac, feel very abandoned by GM, especially the two dead divisions. My friends and I used to have Monte Carlos vs Oldsmobiles count contest at a show, loser (they did Olds, I did Monte Carlo) bought the ice cream. Most everything is overwhelmingly Chevy. I took the 72 on the Power Tour a couple years ago, and I was in a neat spot of being rare, but respected by all the Chevy guys, much more so than the Olds dudes. 

[Anybody running an X pipe?]

13 hours ago, 502ci said:

Don't let it be a deal killer, the exhaust note will still be great with a cross over. 
I am old school and like to be different. You probably could not tell the difference unless the two cars were side by side and then like I mentioned it's a preference thing. The only way I could explain the exhaust note would be to use a Harley...they come with a dual exhaust from the factory with a cross over (now a days even have a catalytic converter incorporated in it). Remove the head pipes and replace it with a true dual and you will have a sound more of a drum beat...hope that makes sense.

That's a good interpretation. I have a single pipe that was rusted, so I had an 2002 Midas exhaust with Ravin' Flowmasters on it. It does have the drumbeat. There's no H pipe or anything.

[Best product to use on the vinyl top]

I use vinylx inside the car. 303 sounds good outside.

[One owner/all original Rant/question]

Original owner is an advertising claim. It is supposed to imply a car not mistreated or changed. All original, to me, implies everything but wear parts. Survivor means the same thing. Time capsule or museum piece means non-functional, parked and not moved for 30 years. 

Mine has been wrecked. It was repaired with NOS parts in the 80s. My grandfather's name is on the dealer paperwork, and it's mine, so I can say that my name is there. I don't drive it nearly as much as I should. 

All these terms have a relative meaning. You can tell provenance when you look at a car. It's the factory overspray and the little fasteners, etc. There's something about an original car surviving that speaks a peace with the ravages of time. 

[Value of FGMC's]

I think they're similar to Oldsmobiles in terms of the image.