Fixing the little things
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New User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Saratoga, NC
Fixing the little things
In trying to start getting my new 1978 ford fixed I have a few questions. My power steering is leaking somewhere but I hate to take parts off because I've never missed with the PS before. If I take parts off is there anything I need to do for it to start back working properly? Also I truck has no heat. Its got a heater core and vents but I believe something is missing under the hood. My brother in law has a 1979 bronco. His has a big black box under the hood in the back passenger corner? My truck has two hoses that come through the fire wall but are cut off once entering the engine compartment. Also is there any way that I can find numbers on my axle and transmission so I can find out what they are? Is so where are the ID located. Thanks alot! I'm sure I'll have more questions.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
The only way to really diagnose a PS leak is to look really carefully for a leak; sometimes it helps to degrease your engine to see fresh fluid. The most common age-related leak on these trucks, however, results from seals on the power steering box. Check the pressure and return hoses for leaks, as well as the pump.
The black box under your in-law's Bronco is for AC. If you just have two hose fittings on the firewall, you don't have AC and you won't have the box. You said the hoses are cut off in the engine compartment, as in literally disconnected? If so, it sounds like someone bypassed your heater core, which would explain why you don't have heat. People usually do this when the heater core leaks and they don't want to fix it the right way. Unless I'm reading what you've said incorrectly...but it sounds like you're saying the heater hoses are literally hanging free from the firewall.
The black box under your in-law's Bronco is for AC. If you just have two hose fittings on the firewall, you don't have AC and you won't have the box. You said the hoses are cut off in the engine compartment, as in literally disconnected? If so, it sounds like someone bypassed your heater core, which would explain why you don't have heat. People usually do this when the heater core leaks and they don't want to fix it the right way. Unless I'm reading what you've said incorrectly...but it sounds like you're saying the heater hoses are literally hanging free from the firewall.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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The big black box is going to be the air conditioning unit. Yours probably doesn't have air conditioning if it doesn't have that. Two hoses from the firewall are for your heater core. One hose will go to the water pump and the other the intake manifold I think, your engine might be different than mine. You can run the vin on the dash and door to decode your equipment. There should be a tag on the diff cover to decode your axle and gear configuration.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,654
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From: Near Yosemite CA
Welcome 1978FORD, best thing to start with is a real good degreasing and cleaning underhood and body, simple green, fast orange, your choice, just don't get on your paint. Then car wash or steam clean the engine, leaks are much easier to find when it is clean and you can see where they are coming from. Then you can run it and see what and where it is leaking from. You heater core just needs new hoses run to the engine to get the warm anti-freeze to the core. 5/8" hose I think, any parts store will carry it. Run a test first on your heater core, fill it and make sure it dosen't leak all over the floor! Your BIL's bronco has AC is why he has the big black box.
Post your VIN and #'s off the data plate for more info on your truck.
Welcome
Joe
Post your VIN and #'s off the data plate for more info on your truck.
Welcome
Joe
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New User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Saratoga, NC
Thanks all! To answer the question about the hoses in the fire wall. THey are cut off about 1in into the engine compartment. On the motor I can kinda see where they go but the guy has put a hose that seems to by pass the heater core. How do I test the heater core before hooking the hoses back up? Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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If I were you I would just put a new heater core in, the guy probably unhooked it for a reason. Plus there is no telling what is in there if its been unhooked for any period of time. A nice fresh one would be better than worrying about antifreeze all over your interior from a leaky old one. Plus if there is debris in it and you don't get it flushed good enough it could get caught up elsewhere in the cooling system.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
If I were you I would just put a new heater core in, the guy probably unhooked it for a reason. Plus there is no telling what is in there if its been unhooked for any period of time. A nice fresh one would be better than worrying about antifreeze all over your interior from a leaky old one. Plus if there is debris in it and you don't get it flushed good enough it could get caught up elsewhere in the cooling system.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The P/S pump and P/S pressure and return hoses used 1978 and later are not the same as the parts used 1977 and earlier.
The 1978 and later pump has a plastic reservoir that can warp due to engine heat.
These usually leak where the reservoir meets the pump.
The reservoir is available separately, the P/S pump seal kit includes the reservoir to pump O-Ring.
There is more than one P/S pressure hose, it depends on the application.
If the P/S pressure hose is leaking, you'd be losing fluid rapidly.
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The end of the P/S return line has no fitting where it attaches to the pump, just hose.
It's fits over and is clamped to a nipple on the pump.
The hose tends to fray on the end, or splits open where it bends.
If the end of the hose has frayed, that may be where it's leaking.
Cut a very small portion of the hose off, then re-install it.
There is more than one P/S return hose, as it also depends on the application.
The 1978 and later pump has a plastic reservoir that can warp due to engine heat.
These usually leak where the reservoir meets the pump.
The reservoir is available separately, the P/S pump seal kit includes the reservoir to pump O-Ring.
There is more than one P/S pressure hose, it depends on the application.
If the P/S pressure hose is leaking, you'd be losing fluid rapidly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The end of the P/S return line has no fitting where it attaches to the pump, just hose.
It's fits over and is clamped to a nipple on the pump.
The hose tends to fray on the end, or splits open where it bends.
If the end of the hose has frayed, that may be where it's leaking.
Cut a very small portion of the hose off, then re-install it.
There is more than one P/S return hose, as it also depends on the application.
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