power steering pump problems

[70daytonaclone]

HI all I need some help. working on a 73 440 charger. car has sat for God knows how long. hooked up power steering pumpm lines and ran engine. fine. filled up the powersteering pump with fluid and now the pump doesn't spin and the belt is smoking. not good. I an going to change the box as it has a lot of slopy play in it. but I have never had a pump not pump. what gives? clogged box? bad pump? clogged hose? thanks all. Stephen in sunny hot Georgia

[John_Kunkel]

Even with a clogged hose or box the relief valve in the pump should allow it to turn; sounds like the pump is seized.

[1969chargerrtse]

Those old box's had some play, don't be fooled thinking they would be tight like a newer car of today?  You can adjust the play on most of them, did you look into that first?  As for the pump, what can you do?  If it's not spinning?  Needs to be replaced.

[70daytonaclone]

ok to the pump play, I will try driving it first, when I get it to drive. About the pump, when it was empty it spun ok when motor was running. I put PS fluid in it and the belt started smoking and the pump pulley was not turning. I wanted to bleed the front brakes and then see if the transmission would work. Thanks for all input to this post. Stephen in Barnesville Georgia