Not really sure what to call it, original p/s pressure hose had a foam type protector tube slid over it, I'm guessing to prevent chafing. Does anyone make this or found a replacement item for it? Its useable but looks like hell so want new. Kinda reminds me of house waterpipe insulation but not as thick. Thoughts?
Tim, I bought a replacement hose for mine, just in case I do need it. It came with the plastic wire loom covering & looks crappy. The original still on the car looks like it was in place before the hydraulic end was crimped on. Not sure iof it would come off. Yours the same?
Hi Steve, I bought a replacement pressure hose as well, finally found one that was close enough to make me happy (the metal part off the box is a little longer than orig (like 4") but overall length is the same and the bends are all correct). Just thought it would be nice to get that foam tube back on. Being a foam type sleeve I think it would stretch over the fittings. Yes, looks like it was on before ends were swaged, maybe I'll post a pic if you are curious. Return line I bent up metal part myself (made it a little longer as well so it matches the pressure line better), have original crimps and hoping they are strong enough to hold for a second time!! Really hate to spray ps fluid all over the car!!! Funny thing is, we have similar crimps at work (for interior stuff) but they have TWO tabs, if the origs give me grief might just use those. Anything but worm clamps.
I went with NAPA # 70260 for the pressure hose. Very, very close to the original. I think it was listed as an Electra/LeSabre part. Local NAPA brought in a couple at a time until we found the right one.
Maybe we should get some pics going here. I ended up with a hose from Omega (#547) of all people, they seem to have lots of stuff like that. Its pretty close as well. I'm not too worried about it as I might be replacing the box with a fast ratio box in the near future, that would need metric hose so would change it then (the fitting in the back of the pump can be swapped out with the metric one and the return line is made up of course). Do you happen to know the pressure in the return line?
Here is the 70260 from NAPA. Made by Edelmann. Steel fittings just a tad longer than the originals. Rubber hose maybe an inch longer too. Love the fancy plastic hose guard. The old hose is also from another '71 350 car. The hose guard looks like it was possibly heat shrinked on the rubber hose. I don't think it will come off in one piece. Go to a rental shop where they have air tools & compressors. The crimp clamps on the small rubber hoses are identical to the originals for the return line.
THATS where I saw them!!! ou: The hose looks good, mine is already in the car so pic is tough. On my orig the sleeve is loose, I might try to remove it just for a laugh...
I bought Delco hoses and the pressure hose had the correct bends but the fittings are at incorrect angles to each other. That makes the hose twist. I had to cable tie it to the return hose to keep it from rubbing the pulley on the p/s pump. I'd like to get that NAPA hose above. Does anyone know if the 70 and 71 hoses are the same?
Maybe you could try an A/C or plumbing suppy house for the foam sleeve. Those plastic types that come with the hose are a joke.
also on more tidbit. I saw a company advertise in Hemmings MN a couple of years ago that made custom power steering hoses. They copy your original. Might be worth some research.
Andy, I may also have the same problem with how the fittings are positioned. They do not agree with the original & I may have to twist the rubber hose a bit. I have a number of different industrial heat shrinks at the warehouse. I may try an experiment & attempt to duplicate the "factory look".
That of course is the way to go for concours type stuff but once you send original, they make new one and charge $$$ for it, then shipping both ways and more fees and crap as it crosses the border (for myself anyway) you are into the p/s hose for some serious coin and delays. Mine cost $28.00 Canadian. Not perfect but good enough. On mine, right after the box side makes the last bend, the steel line goes up another 3.5" further than stock but the flex hose is shorter so overall its same lngth and lines up fine. It actually gives a bit more room in that area too. I'm betting the hoses with the wrong angles are because they are for other cars which had the pump/box relation sliightly different (and delco is always changing up #'s so looks correct in book but actually for another application originally)...
