Holley power steering pump issues?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
From: San Jose, CA
Holley power steering pump issues? I just finished installing a GMPP connect and cruise package in a 1968 el Camino.
New driveline bits-
480/LS3 and 4L70E
Holley forward positions motor mounts (fbody rubber engine mounts)
Holley Sniper EFI fuel tank
Holley's new mid-mount FEAD
GM regulator/filter
By planning ahead and having all major parts ready to go, the install took
6 days. Would have been more like 4, but I have spent way too much time
trying to get the Holley power steering pump to function. It leaks like a sieve
between the reservoir and pump. I called Holley, and they asked for photos
of the leak and said they would get back to me.
In the mean time I removed the reservoir and found no evidence of damage to
the pump, reservoir or o-ring. I cannot find specs on the reservoir nipple to determine
if it is too short, or what o-ring should be in it.
The pump is listed as part number 198-101. I am hoping someone can comment
if they have used this pump, with or without issue. The pump is the only thing keeping
me from driving the car, and if anyone can report no issues, I will assume I got unlucky
and received a bad unit. Easy solution, push Holley to replace it (hopefully quickly).
Equally easy, but more money out of pocket and just buy a GM reservoir (and
pump if needed).
New driveline bits-
480/LS3 and 4L70E
Holley forward positions motor mounts (fbody rubber engine mounts)
Holley Sniper EFI fuel tank
Holley's new mid-mount FEAD
GM regulator/filter
By planning ahead and having all major parts ready to go, the install took
6 days. Would have been more like 4, but I have spent way too much time
trying to get the Holley power steering pump to function. It leaks like a sieve
between the reservoir and pump. I called Holley, and they asked for photos
of the leak and said they would get back to me.
In the mean time I removed the reservoir and found no evidence of damage to
the pump, reservoir or o-ring. I cannot find specs on the reservoir nipple to determine
if it is too short, or what o-ring should be in it.
The pump is listed as part number 198-101. I am hoping someone can comment
if they have used this pump, with or without issue. The pump is the only thing keeping
me from driving the car, and if anyone can report no issues, I will assume I got unlucky
and received a bad unit. Easy solution, push Holley to replace it (hopefully quickly).
Equally easy, but more money out of pocket and just buy a GM reservoir (and
pump if needed).
I am using the Holley FEAD without issue. My pump has never leaked a drop, and it’s been in and out (apart) of the car twice, due to engine coming back out. You must have a hose issue, or a burr on the pump inlet?
Could you swap to a GM 26120639 or 25960709 and use remote reservoir? I just put the "holley" aka GM corvette style pump on my car, works great (in the two days it's been on there).
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
From: San Jose, CA
It definitely was the o-ring. Initial inspections never found a defect, but after the 5th or 6th removal it fell apart.
I did not locate definitive specs online for the o-ring. Some posts suggested a 1/2x5/8, but no mention of cross
section. With a 3/32 cross section, that would be either a 111 or 112. I tried the 112 and it still leaked.
I thought about it and wondered why with every other fitting and fastener being metric that the o-ring would
be SAE and bought a selection of metric O-rings. The best fit was a 14x19 (2.5mm implied cross section) and
that sealed it up. The fitting was not as snug as I thought it should be and a 13x19 might have been better, but
at least it is not leaking now.
I did not locate definitive specs online for the o-ring. Some posts suggested a 1/2x5/8, but no mention of cross
section. With a 3/32 cross section, that would be either a 111 or 112. I tried the 112 and it still leaked.
I thought about it and wondered why with every other fitting and fastener being metric that the o-ring would
be SAE and bought a selection of metric O-rings. The best fit was a 14x19 (2.5mm implied cross section) and
that sealed it up. The fitting was not as snug as I thought it should be and a 13x19 might have been better, but
at least it is not leaking now.
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Registered User
Joined: May 2020
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Registered User
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Dan, I have the same oil pump installed and it also leaks - seems to be dripping out of the bottom of the reservoir but cannot pin point the leak. Where exactly is the O-ring located? Is it the one already installed by Holley in the vertical metal fitting? thanks
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
It definitely was the o-ring. Initial inspections never found a defect, but after the 5th or 6th removal it fell apart.
I did not locate definitive specs online for the o-ring. Some posts suggested a 1/2x5/8, but no mention of cross
section. With a 3/32 cross section, that would be either a 111 or 112. I tried the 112 and it still leaked.
I thought about it and wondered why with every other fitting and fastener being metric that the o-ring would
be SAE and bought a selection of metric O-rings. The best fit was a 14x19 (2.5mm implied cross section) and
that sealed it up. The fitting was not as snug as I thought it should be and a 13x19 might have been better, but
at least it is not leaking now.
I did not locate definitive specs online for the o-ring. Some posts suggested a 1/2x5/8, but no mention of cross
section. With a 3/32 cross section, that would be either a 111 or 112. I tried the 112 and it still leaked.
I thought about it and wondered why with every other fitting and fastener being metric that the o-ring would
be SAE and bought a selection of metric O-rings. The best fit was a 14x19 (2.5mm implied cross section) and
that sealed it up. The fitting was not as snug as I thought it should be and a 13x19 might have been better, but
at least it is not leaking now.
