Anyone ever seen this happen before?

[Charger1973]

I lost power steering the other day in my '79 Blazer, and when I popped the hood this is what I found... 

I did use it to pull a few cars out of the ditch and even pulled my buddies Caterpillar about a mile down the road (it ran but not enough to move under its own power).  But this is a tough truck, and I was really pretty shocked to find this.  I was in 4WD when this happened, could that have had anything to do with it?  Its not a big deal im just going to fix or replace that bracket, but im just wondering what may have caused it and if anyone else has seen anything like it before? 

[mikepmcs]

Looks like the nut initially came off the stud on the left, you kept running it not noticing and then it shook loose and the vibration finally took hold and the other bracket conceded.

my.02

v/r
Mike

[Charger1973]

Maybe, it was pretty cold so I havent looked at it all that close yet... but there was a spacer on that stud I just took it off so I didnt lose it.  I cant remember now if that was a stud with a nut or a bolt with the head broken off. 

[tan top]

yeah seen that before many years a go , on one of my dads old cars . my guess that one or two of the bolts  missing a spring or a lock washer & with the viberation &  the tention on the pump on full lock  the bolt worked its way out  & broke the bracket. as this is what happend to my dads power steering pump , being lazy i just  tightend the bolts on a couple of occasion's because of belt squeal , then the pump finally fell off  one day ,& lost the bolts  ,( sorry dad)  so i had to put new bolts in with a spring & a lockwasher ,  never had a problem after that .    my guess is something like this happend . or may be the belt was too tight .

[Mean 318]

used to have a 79 blazer with a 350 4bbl. BEST TRUCK IMO! Yours looks nice and clean!

[Charger1973]

used to have a 79 blazer with a 350 4bbl. BEST TRUCK IMO! Yours looks nice and clean!

I wouldnt trade this truck for anything!  Its a 4 speed too. 

[K9COP]

Kinda off topic, sorry, but I've been 'gifted' a third gen Charger in the Cayman Islands (where I live) is it worth saving, or do I pull the 440 and throw it in my '68? Don't even know what year it is, guessing 73 or 74..

Here it is.. it has 'super bee' written on the hood, with 400 (yes 400 not 440) Magnum, and the belt line strips around to the rear, joining the panel on the hood..

[K9COP]

Hmm.. pics won't load

[Charger1973]

Thats a 73 or 74 I cant tell from the pic.  Its not a superbee, someone just added those stripes but it does have a bulge hood which is pretty desirable.  If the car is beyond repair, dont just junk it, do yourself (and the rest of us) a favor and part it out.   Hopefully you will register it with the 3rd gen registry either way.   

[K9COP]

So far.. the floors are shot, as is the front fender you can see in the pic.. but I'm happy to part it out if it's not significant enough to save. Quite fancied owning ALL the Chargers on the island tho..

[Charger1973]

Front floor pans are available aftermarket.  I have heard rears are but most of the people who list them dont actually have them.  I heard someone does now though but cant confirm it.  They dont make fenders, so you will have to repair yours or find good used parts.  A 73/74 Charger is an awesome car.  If you can save it, I say go for it.  You will enjoy it for sure.   

[Charger1973]

Oh, and if not... I want your hood.   

[K9COP]

I've just bought the 68, which I should concentrate on.. having said that, the two in your signature photo look cool.. like I said, it would be good to own the two Chargers on the island. What's the hood worth? Any other parts that are sought after, and I'll check condition.. just in case..