Power steering pump shaft

[wildcard]

This is on an 85 F150 with an I-6.
The engine has been replaced by the PO. It's now like my 71, as far as under the hood, except for the PS and elec. ign. All the computer stuff has been removed.
I have an occasional squeak/squeal noise under the hood. I pulled the belts off to see if there was any play in any shafts. The belts have 25K miles on them but look to be in good condition. I'm going to replace them anyway. The water pump and alt were fine. But the PS shaft has a 16th to an 8th inch play in and out. No side to side play, up and down play or leakage. I've been told this is normal play on all PS pumps for this era. I just find that hard to believe so I thought I'd get an opinion from here since I've always gotten good advice and help here.
Any ideas?

[tqwrench]

If that's a C-II pump it's normal. They all did that. C-II pumps were put on most everything Ford in the 80s and early 90s. Typically they have a wide mouth lid with a dipstick attached.

[wildcard]

OK, Thanks. It will be the C-II then from your description.
I did find out it wasn't the pump anyway. I had a lifter stop pumping. I replaced the lifter, pushrod and rocker arm. Quiet as a church mouse now.
Thanks for the response though. Learned something I didn't know.