Hey all

I'm putting a c4 suspension under Penny (56) and I had the issue of cleanse of the Ford 302 oil pan. I got a new rear sump pan that works perfect. But still had an issue with the C4 rack lines being to close. So I had to clock the rack. Basically take apart the steering rack and turn it so that the connections that pump the hydro fluid to make the wheels go right and left forward.

Here is a picture of a Rack that has been clocked.


Here is a picture that shows the original way the hard lines are run.


That was the easy part. But now I am having a terrible time trying to find a way to get new lines run since the originals don't reach any longer.

Here is what the original flares look like.


GM used a special flare on the end of the pump side of the rack that I can not find a shop to redo. I've been to a custom corvette shop and a specialty hydraulic line fitting shop and neither are able to make the connections.

I have found one thread online from a Chevy forum and the guys says he simply used banjo bolts and the he "thinks" is will work. That was from a few years ago and the thread died and he never replied if it worked or not.

So I need some help from you all to see what may be a good solution here. Will a simple banjo bolt on either end with a braided line work?

 

My mastercool flare tool will make those, maybe someone near you has a kit and make them for you?
I use the gm fuel line dies and then trim off the excess length of the stub end of the line.

 

Thanks DR. I have a good friend that works at a high end body shop. Just sent him a text to see if anyone there has that kit. And more details on the specific die?

 

I am phone challenged so can't post a link but if you search for mastercool flare kit you will find it. Hand held hydraulic flaring tool with multiple die sets.

 

Had Those same fitting on my Chevy fuel sender summit racing had fittings to adapt them maybe try them

 

Thanks! Any idea the name of them or a link to the ones you got?

 

No part # I was talking to a tec guy on the phone he new what I wanted
I would think they are a different size also

 

Ya I know what you have and it's a larger size than what I need. I will still give them a call to see if they can help figure it out. Thanks for the tip

 

GM fuel line dies come in 5/16" and 3/8", maybe 1/4" as well but the 1/4" is not in my kit.

 

Take a look at the Detroit Speed website, they make a nice kit to convert those hard lines to AN/braided stainless lines. Not only do they work great but they look much better as well.

 

No go. You are thinking of the soft lines that go from the pump to the rack.

Detroit Speed, Inc. - Steering - Power Steering Hose Kits

What I'm looking for are the actual hard lines that feed the hydro fluid the rack to the piston that moves left and right to turn the wheels. Take a look at the first picture in my OP that shows what kind line I'm looking for.

I did call them and spoke to their sales guy who knew what I was looking for and said that they do not make it.

Thanks for the tip though. Did find some cool stuff on that site.

 

Try Paul Newman Car Creations in Paso Robles Newman Car Creations - Welcome to the website of Newman Car Creations, Inc.

 

Nope. According to them. "We don't do anything like that". LOL

But they did point me in the direction of Classic Tube. I'll be calling them shortly.

 

Time to break out the TIG machine and graft in some tubing...

 

Ya I though about that or just converting it to a standard AN fitting. But no one can tell me for sure that this will work. Since that nipple that goes into the rack has that O ring I'm not sure that just putting a standard AN fitting in there will have a good seal. Honestly at this point that is what I will be doing. Just sucks I really won't know if it works until I turn the engine over and put a load on the rack.