I've always thought that my chevelle's steering felt loose. After driving a few other older cars I found this to be the norm most likey due to full assist at all times. So I was thinking of removing half of the vanes from my p/s pump leaving every other vane in. What do you guys think? I dont want manual steering, but dont like grandma steering either!

The problem with the steering being so light is not the number of viens in the pump, it is the torsion bar diameter in the steering box. Here is a link to show the sizes of the t-bar and the efforts for the older Chevelle power steering gear boxes - http://www.corvettefaq.com/acar/1964-74ChevelleStrgGearBoxes.xls

This is one of the reasons I chose to do the 12.7:1 quick ratio power steering swap to my '72. More info about that car be found at - http://www.corvettefaq.com/acar/

It was all put together by Jim Shea (JimL82 is his username) ... he has been a tremendous asset in helping us all better understand our steering systems.

Bryan,
You are exactly right. You need to change the steering gear to one with a larger torsion bar. Don't screw around with the pump.
Jim

If you haven't done so, putting in a new centerlink really helps.