[TOM RENZO]

I am in the process of building rebuilding the (midnighter 2.3 turbo coupe). I started to remove the power stearing cooler loop in the return line. Burt my main tech says that is a NO NO. I say it does nothing. What do you folks think about this. Imput please. I say ditch the cooler loop. Burer says NO. Thanks Tom

[b_chandler]

That must be a Thunderbird thing. I haven't sseen power steering coolers since the full frame Thunderbird/Cougar/Torino Elite days.

Here's what I'm thinking Tom, the Mustangs don't have one. They do have a convoluted loop on the high pressure side that kinda runs up and back down where the pressure switch is located, but there's nothing on the low pressure side.

I'd be interested in hearing Burt's logic against removing the cooler if it's something other than "Ford must have had a reason or else they wouldn't have put it there."

[mg man 75]

I assume removing to save weight or cleaning up under the hood area. [Haven't seen on a turbocoupe so unsure about my commnents]. If weight how much does it weight. If power steering fluid gets too hot what will it do? I don't know. boil. lose power steering. Losing steering at wrong moment maybe bad. Just my ideas. Maurice

[TOM RENZO]

Thanks guys here is burts answer. Ford did not waist the time or the tubing for nothing (QUOTE). Hi 75 yes thats exactly why i am removing it. Its in the way of my new front mount. I cant understand why its in the return line But honda does it this way also. You both have great reasoning on my type of thinking on this subject. Chandler you bring out a GREAT point that i overlooked. The mustang does not use one. Dasically same rack and the only difference is the stang is lighter than the coupe. I am going to say i won the bet but i will pay it off anyway. JUST ME.Thanks for all your imput i really relie on your knowledge. As usual you guys were on the money TOM

[Jesse5150]

To be safe, I would put in Synthetic Power Steering Fluid to "counter" removing the cooler that may or may not actually make a difference. But the synthetic fluid would have a higher boiling point. Just my .02

[TOM RENZO]

Good point jesse thats exactly what i will do.

[NavySVO]

I guess thye SVO is different. They have one.

[b_chandler]

Kurt, I didn't know the SVO had one, although I'd almost expect one on the SVO. If you think about it, the only way the power steering fluid would get hot enough to worry about is if the car was actually used as a corner carver.

Power steering is a simple hydraulic system. Heat in the system builds up under load. The only way to load a power steering system is to turn the wheels. The more effort it takes for the system to turn the wheels, the more heat builds up. Bust a few laps at Road Atlanta, Barber, or local parking lot autocross, and the fluid will get hot. Driving back and forth to work all week won't generate the heat unless you live on a mountain and commute up and down Switchback Blvd.

[lilcobra 93lx]

Tom I would install one of the finned coolers in its place from a
70's ltd or 90's dodge or gm overheated fluid will bake all the seals and lose power assist I always use them and tey are small and fit easly
Jim

[TOM RENZO]

Originally Posted by lilcobra 93lx

Tom I would install one of the finned coolers in its place from a
70's ltd or 90's dodge or gm overheated fluid will bake all the seals and lose power assist I always use them and tey are small and fit easly
Jim

Good point Jim I will do that. I have one from a police cruzer and its pritty small. I just cant believe that a couple of feet of steel tubing can be effective to cool the fluid. I can see the ltd one working it has fins and all. Just one of those things that dont seem to work but is there. Thanks guys good points from all. Thanks navy did not know that the SVO has one . Makes perfect sense as chandler pointed out on a road car. TOM

[J. Rhapsody]

Most power steering coolers are built into the Radiators.

[b_chandler]

That would be the transmission cooler, not the power steering cooler.