Help-fried power steering pump-coupe
 

I'm driving along on the track and the passenger compartment begins filling with smoke. I pit in and open the hood and see oily substance around the power steering reservoir, and splashed all over the valve covers, aluminum panels, etc. The cap is plastic and it got so hot that it expanded and no longer locked down into the clips.

A mechanic friend put a hose clamp around the cover, and it worked fine for 45 minutes until I totally lost my power steering. Removing the hose clamp and cap showed that the plastic dipstick had actually melted and turned into a swizzle stick-it was twisted into a swirl. Pieces of plastic were floating around in the reservoir, and most likely chewed up the pump. Had to flush out the rack as well.

I spoke to 2 very knowledgeable coupe mechanics/racers and both said the pulley was likely the wrong size and was overspinning the pump at high RPM, boiling it over. One said he made up a different size pulley after he experienced the same problem during a track day.

Anyone else have this happen? Never had problem during normal street driving, but was close to redline at the track most of the time. I'm definitely going with a billet pump and reservoir and going to try and get a larger diameter pulley. The engine is a 427W and the reservoir is stuck in the middle of a very high heat area with no airflow over it. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Solly -
My power steering system, which is out of a 1987 Corvette, includes a cooler. If you can't find a design or installation flaw, you might consider adding a cooler.

Thanks Tommy. going to a new pulley diameter and a cooler and a billet pump. Should do the trick. thanks again.