Anyone out there familiar with Chevy 454's?

I recently added a new toy to my driveway, a 1972 Chevy Custom Deluxe 3/4 ton. It has a late 70's 454 in it with a TH400 auto. It has a power steering setup like I've never seen before. Because the alternator and power steering pump are on the same side of the engine, there is no fluid reservoir at the pump. Instead, there is a hose that runs to a separate reservoir attached to the fender. The reservoir is metal and painted black, and has a radiator style cap on it with no dipstick. My question is, how do you know where the fluid level is supposed to be?

At first I thought this was some kind of patched together work, but I saw a truck similar to mine for sale online, that also had a 454, and had the exact same power steering setup. Someone out there must know the answer to this....

Help!

 

My Nova had the same thing. I always just filled it up to a little below the rim. I don't recall any markings on the side of the reservoir or anything... But it's been 15 years since I saw one lol.

 

usually the reservoir on those has a dipstick on the cap. If it is missing/broken/non-existent, then you can usually fill it til about 2 inches below the top. This allows for thermal expansion and pump blow by.

 

THIS..

This was also done on some of the smaller V8's..my 84 Camaro had the Chevy 305 and it had the stick inside the cap.

 

Sounds good gentlemen....I'll do that. Thanks.

 

I'll defer on the fill level without the stick, never had to fiddle with it. Might be better to just get a cap with the stick for peace of mind.

I owned a ton of small block Chevy and Olds engines as did my folks, that was always the standard.