65 Dart Wagon Conversion to a Sedan Delivery
I have been very undecided about the Power Steering cooler lines. The early A’s just ran the hydraulic hose from the pump to the box since they didn’t use a cooler. The big C Bodies snd Imperials used a U-shaped finned cooler with the hydraulic hoses routed through the core support to the pump and steering box. So I’m using one of those C Body coolers (in the circle) compliments of a Mopar buddy.
I had thought about running the hydraulic hose like they did with the C Bodies; however, the more I thought about it, the less I liked that idea as space is pretty limited. Since I wanted a neat installation I found some 90 degree female NPT fittings that took 5/8 heater hose fittings that matched the size of the cooler lines and incidentally matched the size of the pump and steering box fittings (65’s used 5/8 hydraulic hose)
I was at Lowes and the plumbing guy suggested using 1/2 in copper fittings with straight like as needed and even found me a NTP fitting that threaded into my 90 degree fitting and would take the 1/2 in copper pipe or fittings as needed. My first attempt was to route one of the lines right in front of the battery box
That might work for the line to the steering box but not to the pump with it’s vertical hose connection so back to the drawing board. I finally came up with the idea of routing both hard lines up against the inner fender behind the battery with the wiring.
After numerous trying 90 and 45 copper fittings and straight pipe and sweating various combos together, I was able to come up with a combination I liked that didn’t involve sharp bends to the hydraulic hose that’s still required In case there’s any engine movement side to side. I used the ends from an old heater core that is the same size as the pump and steering box fittings. Then I found some black mesh covering that gives the pipes a finished look. All that remains is add the 5/8 hydraulic hose from the pipes to the pump and steering box during final engine installation
I have been very undecided about the Power Steering cooler lines. The early A’s just ran the hydraulic hose from the pump to the box since they didn’t use a cooler. The big C Bodies snd Imperials used a U-shaped finned cooler with the hydraulic hoses routed through the core support to the pump and steering box. So I’m using one of those C Body coolers (in the circle) compliments of a Mopar buddy.
I had thought about running the hydraulic hose like they did with the C Bodies; however, the more I thought about it, the less I liked that idea as space is pretty limited. Since I wanted a neat installation I found some 90 degree female NPT fittings that took 5/8 heater hose fittings that matched the size of the cooler lines and incidentally matched the size of the pump and steering box fittings (65’s used 5/8 hydraulic hose)
I was at Lowes and the plumbing guy suggested using 1/2 in copper fittings with straight like as needed and even found me a NTP fitting that threaded into my 90 degree fitting and would take the 1/2 in copper pipe or fittings as needed. My first attempt was to route one of the lines right in front of the battery box
That might work for the line to the steering box but not to the pump with it’s vertical hose connection so back to the drawing board. I finally came up with the idea of routing both hard lines up against the inner fender behind the battery with the wiring.
After numerous trying 90 and 45 copper fittings and straight pipe and sweating various combos together, I was able to come up with a combination I liked that didn’t involve sharp bends to the hydraulic hose that’s still required In case there’s any engine movement side to side. I used the ends from an old heater core that is the same size as the pump and steering box fittings. Then I found some black mesh covering that gives the pipes a finished look. All that remains is add the 5/8 hydraulic hose from the pipes to the pump and steering box during final engine installation
