After converting to HB on Ol' Patches I had noticed that the fluid has a heck of a lot hotter then it used to be when it was just running through the PS box.

So I decided I wanted to put some sort of fluid cooler on it. Lots of after market products available, but Being the cheap bugger I am I went to the wrecker and crawled around all kinds of vehicle until I found a cooler on a early 2000-ish Dodge mini van I thought might work...$15! The cooler is for the Crack and Peanut steering system, and is mounted in the sub frame under the front floor boards of the mini van.

I have had this for a couple months and from time to time I would try and find a place to mount it. Well I finally came up with a spot I was happy with, so I got it installed the other day.

I first had to drill out the lower mounting point....used my step drill to take it out to about 5/8 I guess?



Then I removed the upper bolt for the PS/Vacuum pump unit, and installed the cooler there.





Then plumbed it up. I did find that it was easier to install the hoses with the cooler removed. I put on about 12" pieces of 3/8" PS hose, and then re-installed the cooler.

 

Obviously you will have to bleed/prime the PS system again. I jacked up the front end and turn the wheels back and forth with the engine off...SLOWLY...for about 10 cycles (LH to RH and back).

Only issue I had was I changed the orientation of the Hydroboost fluid flow. It used to be the side line on the "T" connection and would come in on the straight line from the PS box...so I guess the fluid flow was reduced?

Anyway since I had to re-plumb everything on the return line circuit it was easier to have the fluid flow straight through and have the PS box coming in from the side. What this did was lower my brake pedal and cause my brake lights to stay on.

Now when I shut the motor off, and loose Hyd pressure, the brake pedal actually rises. I just re-adjusted the brake light switch and all is well.

I just got back from a 24 hours run...1000+ miles and the cooler works great....even better then I had hoped to be honest. The lines are now only warm, not screaming hot to the touch.

 

Nice work as always, TC


Where did you go on your trip ?

I put a ps cooler on my brick. Works great. Keeps everything nice and cool no matter the conditions

 

I have seen similar looking coolers on the 2nd gen V-10 trucks as well.
I pulled one thinking I might do the same some day.
Nice work as usual Thrashing!

 

Thanks Brian, I have been thinking of something similar.

 

good job, I have a couple hb units waiting for the rainy day project list, it just dosent rain any more, ive seen similar coolers on lots of different fords too.

 

What's Crack and Peanut? smoke crack and eat peanuts?

 

TC said it backwards... It's Peanut and cracker....

They're comics who travel the world making jokes about just about everyone

 

Nice work Brian, are you still using the 1st gen hydro pump?

 

We are moving 500 miles North....so now I have to move all my parts, pieces and tools that have amassed due to my illness.

I will update with a thread about my trip.

 

Rack and Pinion steering....

 

Yes I am...I just cleaned out the internal screen/filter on the high pressure fitting off the back of the reservoir...was plugged almost solid! Have not had any issue.

 

Thank you, still gathering info to tackle my hydroboost

 

Your gonna love it.

 

I think so, just need a few days in a row to tackle it. Would like to get it done, been avoiding towing to much with because I hate the brakes. They are better since I bypassed the rwal module but still suck