I'm installing a TCI Mustang II suspension in a '39 Ford with a power rack. I'm looking for an economical way to add the lines. TCI said the rack is out of a T-bird and it doesn't use the old Mustang II fittings. I've done some searches and only come up with line kits that are over $140. My local NAPA store can build hoses, but I need some fitting ideas. Any suggestions?
I called TCI and they had no suggestions other than buy the bling-bling braided hose kits. There's gotta be another way!
You can get fittings from Heidts that will convert the rack to -6 AN male that you NAPA should be able to easily match.
Cool32,.... Not sure where this info is from but it may help you out..Check your fiitings then off to Napa to get some low cost hoses made. Good Luck...H Pressure Return Ford T-Bird Rack & pinion thru 1988 5/16 tube size )9/16-18) o-ring 3/8 tube size (5/8-18) o-ring Ford Mustang II R&P 7-6-77 thru 1978 5/16 tube size (1/2-20) o-ring 3/8 tube size (5/8-18) o-ring Dodge Omni Rack & pinion 18 mm (M18-1.5) o-ring 16 mm (M16-1.5) o-ring
I ran into the same problem and eventually bought some of the stainless hose kits that cost a bundle.
Assuming the rack is really a T-Bird rack, and not an aftermarket that's just similar, do what I did: 1. Go to the parts store and buy both hoses for an '86 Thunderbird (if they ask if it's high performance, say no. That's the TRW rack). 2. Take the hoses home, loosely install them in your rack, then route them to your power steering pump. 3. Cut the return line and clamp it onto your power steering pump. 4. Mark the length you need on the send line with a piece of masking tape. 5. Take the sending hose back to the parts store and have them cut it there and crimp on the fitting that fits your pump. Then just install them both. That way you KNOW it all fits. That's how I did it. I think it totalled about $50 bucks, including both new lines and the new crimped end. I can't remember but I might have used the old end off of my donor GM pump.
NAPA has the adapter fittings in the weatherhead book to go from the Tbird rack to -6 JIC, and the fittings to make up the pressure hoses.
we've been going through similar trials at the shop I work at, none of the aftermarket hose kits seem to hit the nail on the head. The Mullins kit we tried used pressure hose for both hoses, which doesn't really hose clamp right for the return hose, and the pressure hose was pre made, so the orientation of the fittings was wrong, as well as the length. The Heidt's braided stainless kits are close, though pricey, they give you all the fittings you need, plus it seems, extras, but they only give you -6AN hose, which doesn't slide on a GM pump return tube for shit. we've gone to using -6AN adapters on both rack ports and the pump pressure port, then using fittings and hose designed for heavy truck use, airbrake I think. It works great, it's reasonably priced, as we buy in bulk, and you can fix a breakdown at any truckstop in the country.
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