I plan on switching to a late model power steering pump when I do a serpentine conversion. The late models use power steering fluid, but my stock pump used transmission fluid. Which fluid should I run when I do the swap?
I'm sure if you look at recommendations they will say to use power steering fluid specifically, however, I've had no problem using tranny fluid in my dad's 5.0 or my 5.0. It may just be a personal decision, I seriously doubt the internals would be that much different that chemicals in one would treat it different than the other.
I wasnt aware there was any difference between "power steering fluid" and transmission fluid, other than color. (5 wgt. oil with high detergent) Having a difference in each fluid color is handy, because if you get a leak, you know where it's coming from.
Many late-model fomocos still specify atf for the steering pump (trucks, vans) so I don't think running atf would be a problem. Seems like the vehicles that use a box as opposed to a rack spec the atf, and rack cars use power steering fluid.
Amusing note: the II specified "power steering fluid" (with a seperate part number) in the owner's manual, but the actual product spec no. was the same as atf.