Looking for opinions.


Do you really need to have a power steering cooler. Replacing the pump and hoses currently. The old cooler is rusted out and was a single pass with a handful of fins. Can't see it making a huge difference. Want to run the return line strait back to the pump and skip an external cooler.


1972 F250, 390, C6

 

Brownie, I converted my 68 to ps over 100k miles back with no cooler and have had no problems. Kenny Nunez

 

I run with no cooler but plan on putting 1 on at a later date. I am running a saginaw pump & rack & pinion steering.

 

C9TZ-3D746-A .. P/S Oil Cooler-One mounting hole / Obsolete

Applications: 1969/70 F250 360/390 2WD, F350 360/390 all without A/C / 1971/72 F100/350 all V8 with/without A/C.

No Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

 

If you are not a purest there are aftermarket coolers available. Some even look really nice.

 

I assume the PS cooler pictured below is the part referenced above. It mounts at the end of the PS bracket .. at least on the FE that donated it.

 

Don't want to get into a debate about parts. I found it to be better with cooling. A little aftermarket unit is fine, my 76 donor as a metal tube zig zaged on the chassis for heat dissipation.

They are pretty cheap, will not hurt anything using it, I suggest doing so.



John

 

I recommend replacing the cooler and running a high quality PS fluid. coolers are cheap on e-bay, a cool PS pump is a happy PS pump.....

 

There's a ton a junkyard options CHEAP! I run a fluid cooler I pulled off a '96 Explorer for my power steering on my '69 Bronco was a real nice fit and cost me about $10.

 

Fungus, Your workmanship looks good. I don't think that much effort is needed though for ps cooling. There is enough air flowing through the engine bay that any exposed (smaller) cooler will work.

That would work well as a auto tranny cooler if you need to use one.



oldskaterat, ATF can be used in place of power steering fluid. They don't require exotic fluids.



John

 

This holds true for the older vehicles. In fact in the old Fords if I am not mistaken required type F for the ATF. Do not know if it had any affect on PS. Newer vehicles do use PS fluid. I do not know the difference other than a different color but have seen warnings not to use ATF in the system. I run PS fluid in my truck but then again I am running with a 2005 IFS.

 

I think the OE PS setup makes some heat. My original '78 has an OE steel line cooling setup mounted on the front cross member. If it fails, I would probably mount an aftermarket unit (Summit ect) in the engine bay. A little fab work + 3/8" barb fittings at most. No big deal. Keep it cool.

 

Ive read that the F type fluid had most of an additive to reduce foaming over reg p/s fluids, kind of like hydraulic jack oil is. Think it was for getting the air out of the system faster when turning steering wheel lock to lock but also make it cheaper using the one fluid. Or possibly maybe under heavy loads fords p/s generated more heat causing the p/s fluid to bubble or foaming causing an air lock in the p/s system..
orich

 

I recently came across a 71 F250 with a Y code (360) engine and it had a power steering bracket with the extra mounting slot (I assume that this is the one that is used for the cooler that is referenced above). Anyone have any information on the part number for the upper power steering bracket with the extra slot and information on the vehicles (cars and trucks) that used this bracket, including years, makes and models. I have posted a photo of the engine (the power steering pump bracket was captured in the photograph).

 

Fords between 69 and 76 equipped with an FE.... requires a Thompson pencil neck pump.