steering rack swap

[quikstang2]

Ok, all the parts are ordered and should all be here tomorrow (pump came in today). So I began disassembly this evening...

Anyone know the specs on the p/s pump bracket bolts? The top two in my car are different sizes (one imperial, one metric) and I am missing the bottom bolt completely.

[quikstang2]

Cool, thanks... looks like only one of my bolts is proper (metric) then. I'll pick those up when I go to get everything else I've mangled or found that's broken (spring for the clutch cableleverdeal). Gotta love old rusty cars that don't want to come apart.

[quikstang2]

Finally got all the old crap pulled out and the car cleaned up a little. Still need to get the pulley removed from the original pump, any tips will help greatly. Dad said to rent a puller from Autozone because the one he has didn't fit. Going to try that tomorrow.

When trying to install the metal end of the return line (rack to cooler) I discovered that the original one is too long. So I have to find another one of those that fits before I can get everything back in the car. Since I had to order the fluid they recommend (nobody carries royal purple) I went ahead and ordered Moog tie rod ends too. I might just order the new p/s pump bracket bolts while I'm waiting for everything else too.

[Tank]

When trying to install the metal end of the return line (rack to cooler) I discovered that the original one is too long.

I think I know what your talking about. On my 84 the original lines going to the rack, the very tip of the fitting, where the oring goes, would not fit into the hole in the rack just past the threads where the O ring should go, right.
If so I just used a set of hoses from an 86 GT, these hoses do not rely on an o ring to seal, I'm sure there is one somewhere, I didnt see it, they seal on the threads instead.

[Erics SVO]

I got the whole pulley puller/installer(bearing style too) kit at Harbor freight for under $20 with a coupon or on sale. I don't think I've used it yet...

[Tank]

None of them seal using tapered threads - they all use o-rings on the tubes. The threaded nuts just retain the tube into the housing/fittings.

You'll notice when threading in the retaining nuts that they suddenly get to a positive stop. Tapered threads progressively get tighter, and tighter over a couple turns.

Yeah Mike, thats the kind that was on mine, the threads dont do the sealing the o ring does. Now what I found was that the ones in your pic, the same type that was on mine, wouldnt fit, where the o ring is on the one in your pic, its diameter was too big, thats what she said, to fit into the "newer" style rack.

[quikstang2]

Yeah, it's that short metal piece that I need. And no, there was no adapter. Although looking at the shape of the new pressure hose end, using an adapter would help the return hose clear better. I'll see if I can dig up a later return piece.

I'd go buy my own tool at Harbor Freight but given the distance and hassle, it'll probably just be easier to hit up AutoZone.


Thanks guys.

[Tank]

You need an adapter. Did your rack come with one of these?

These adapters used to come with the racks. Is it on your outgoing rack?

There's a teflon seal at the top of the threads, btw.

Wow! no, mine didnt come with that at all. I gues i half a** mine, I grabbed my hoses off of an 86 GT I had "Layin'" around. So far no leaks, but I dont have it registered or insured yet so I havent been able to " Put it through its paces" yet.
In reality, I dont know if I know how to do that yet.

[quikstang2]

Got the pulley switched over with the tool from AutoZone. Gonna try to stop by Ford tomorrow for the return line, some bolts and possibly the clutch spring that I noticed was broken while I was under the car.

[Tank]

Hey quickstang2, sorry for hijacking your thread, by the way.

[quikstang2]

No worries man, you gave me more parts to look for.

Heading to Broward Bolt in the next couple days to get the right bolt replacements.

Still can't find a return line fitting that'll fit. The junkyards cut them, Ford/parts stores don't carry them. This should be fun... Maybe the one on my '84 V6 will be the right kind...

[quikstang2]

Good news: the return hose fitting on the '84 'vert LX fits the AGR rack. Must just be the 1984 SVO rack that doesn't have the proper fitting.

[Tank]

Good news: the return hose fitting on the '84 'vert LX fits the AGR rack. Must just be the 1984 SVO rack that doesn't have the proper fitting.

Congrats man, she made you work for it huh.

[quikstang2]

Seriously... and it's not over yet...

I got the bolts and hose clamps today... the 30mm length bolt is too short on the bottom. It's either 40mm or 45mm. I don't know which one for sure because the bracket doesn't line up right with that bottom bolt installed. I don't know if it has the wrong bracket or the block was drilled out improperly from the factory. I got a number off the bracket itself. One of the letters has some extra casting on it so I'm not sure if it's a C or G but the full tag is: ECBC-3C511-AB or EGBC-3C511-AB. Anyone know if that's correct or not?

I'm going to go back out and pull that bottom bolt out because it causes the pulley to be out of alignment with the others. After that I just need to flush out the cooler, cut the return hoses to length, and bleed the air out. Everything else looks like it went together fairly well.

I also pulled the sway bar completely out to get the new rack in. It was missing an end link bushing and the mount bushings were worn out to the point of uselessness anyways. I'll pick up some Energy Suspension replacements and clean up the bar before I put it back in. My non-SVOs handled better without the sway bar anyways, so I'll see how this one responds.

[quikstang2]

Ok, it's all back together, sans the lower bracket bolt and sway bar, and now the car doesn't start. woo hoo Well, at least the rack is bled out and full of fluid.