Power Steering Cooler...or heater?

[JMD]

So I installed a power steering cooler using a 1 3/4" piece of angle aluminum in what I thought at first was a great location, but the more I think about it maybe it's not. Hoping to get some opinions on it.

I used a 12" Derale fluid cooler in the return leg of the power steering line, placed just in front and below the steering rack on a piece of angled aluminum. It should get excellent air flow, partly from under the car and partly from the radiator fan in front of it...but then thought that maybe blowing the warm air heated by the radiator could be doing more harm than good. Problem is I'm not sure exactly how hot the ps fluid is going to get. I think that this position might help it cool if it's over 150 degrees or so, but could also warm it up if it's running cooler than that. Doing some research online it seems like if you can keep the fluid under 220 degrees or so that should be fine, in which case I think this cooler might help. Any thoughts? If I'm going to move it now's the time.

Before:
202601

After:
202602
202603

[gbranham]

Seems like it would be fine, other than maybe getting hit with road debris. I assume a power steering cooler placed anywhere is better than none at all. I don't plan to use my car for anything other than weekend cruises, so I may not run a cooler at all. Haven't decided yet.

Greg

[Jacob McCrea]

It looks good to me. I might try to get the lower power steering line a little higher above the lower radiator tube. But I wouldn't be at all concerned about hot air coming off the radiator.

[rich grsc]

There is little need for a PS cooler, but no harm in using one. How is the air from the radiator going to be a problem? There is no way it can heat the oil

[JohnK]

I agree with everyone else - not a problem. As Rich says, there's little need for a PS cooler to begin with, but no harm in installing one. The one that you have is huge for a PS cooler. In theory, air coming off the radiator will cool slightly less efficiently than ambient temp air, but your PS cooler is so big it will make no real-world difference, even if you're auto crossing or tracking the car. I also agree with Greg that putting a screen of some sort on it to protect from rocks might be a good idea, given its location.

[Avalanche325]

I am also in the "why do you need one, but the location looks fine camp". I'm in FL and have done tons of autocross and track days. Never had a hot P/S issue.

[CraigS]

I had problems on hot days losing assist about 3/4 through an autocross run. Switching to Honda PS fluid from a dealer almost fixed it but not quite. A cooler similar to yours did fix it. I think you will be fine.

[Dave M]

My fox donor had a piece of bare tubing in front of the radiator piped in the return line. I debated not bothering with it but decided if Ford thought they needed a little extra heat dissipation what the heck.

[JMD]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Power steering cooling and temps seem to be one of those 'gray areas' where there is no consensus, so I figure cooler is better. I'm not building the car to be a track machine, but do want to be able to do some autocrossing or HPDE sessions without something breaking or needing to be upgraded. It's easier to build it right from the beginning. I am going to use the Honda fluid as a lot of people seem to have good experiences with it. Also fitting some mesh around the cooler is probably a good idea, Greg...will do.

[phileas_fogg]

I followed edwardb’s lead & mounted the cooler on the side of my fan shroud. It’s protected & in the coolest air you’re likely to find in the engine compartment.


John

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=202698&d=1723338994

[Lidodrip]

I also added a power steering cooler because I am using a hydroboost brake system which utilizes the power steering system. I placed my cooler in the same location that is typically used for oil coolers (I like the look). I used a Mishimoto 10 row universal cooler - https://www.mishimoto.com/universal-10-row-oil-cooler.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ea1BhC6ARIsAEOG5pzKPhnwyaR24d24MiOe GJsEXObUb5YYrZRBhzwFC-LNfSXlo43Pwg4aAp7fEALw_wcB - and then added a protective screen.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=190330&d=1695348194

James

[JMD]

I really like that look, too, and was originally thinking to do it that way...but at this point in the build I couldn't visualize how to attach it without the body on and didn't want to wait to figure it out to finish my PS system. I think what I've got here should work well for my needs. Thanks for sharing!

[BrewCityCobra]

I also added a power steering cooler because I am using a hydroboost brake system which utilizes the power steering system. I placed my cooler in the same location that is typically used for oil coolers (I like the look). I used a Mishimoto 10 row universal cooler - https://www.mishimoto.com/universal-10-row-oil-cooler.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ea1BhC6ARIsAEOG5pzKPhnwyaR24d24MiOe GJsEXObUb5YYrZRBhzwFC-LNfSXlo43Pwg4aAp7fEALw_wcB - and then added a protective screen.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=190330&d=1695348194

James

James,

Do you happen to have a picture showing your protective screen? I'm doing some work in that area and would like to see how you implemented it.

[Lidodrip]

I will get some pictures tomorrow.

I used some aluminum mesh from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QZSRP39/ref=dp_iou_view_item?ie=UTF8&th=1

I cut an oversized piece and press fit it into to the opening and then used silicone on the backside to hold in place. It has held up very well with about 2000 miles on it. I did the same with the brake vents.

[Lidodrip]

Here are pictures of the screen install. I used silicone to bond the screen to the inside of the lip of the cooler opening. I used GE Supreme Silicone (https://www.amazon.com/GE-Sealants-Supreme-Silicone-Kitchen/dp/B0BVGRTSCK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Fwl40kt5N6MVm-2CwCfa_U7qnrkzd522OY36Xr36GLcHRtNckF63PPWvWiuDxs9n H_rY2kC-HfeilLTCfRBmjOWETw6G-chdtcJg1PRo9AuYsI10TDgZEHOuvV4yrQ9KVTnTF1RfyaBE2U-zkxfui7VKAsIMDA193QY-6lvYSq9nuub2J4dquo7kl1UQFl6rAchZddg6vz1kMV_m42mrRN 9wrHs97NnFeV1v1c9RxQA.bnUD1rwaSjRTt204pa9q2jbhEMjq CevQHWSvwLCFhwM&dib_tag=se&hvadid=521233274761&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9002572&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14364920146492996529&hvtargid=kwd-1295444854754&hydadcr=8377_11336099&keywords=ge%2Badvanced%2Bsilicone%2Bsealant&qid=1723762640&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1) and have been impressed with the strength of the bond.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=202797&d=1723761640

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=202798&d=1723761640

James

[BrewCityCobra]

Here are pictures of the screen install. I used silicone to bond the screen to the inside of the lip of the cooler opening. I used GE Supreme Silicone (https://www.amazon.com/GE-Sealants-Supreme-Silicone-Kitchen/dp/B0BVGRTSCK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Fwl40kt5N6MVm-2CwCfa_U7qnrkzd522OY36Xr36GLcHRtNckF63PPWvWiuDxs9n H_rY2kC-HfeilLTCfRBmjOWETw6G-chdtcJg1PRo9AuYsI10TDgZEHOuvV4yrQ9KVTnTF1RfyaBE2U-zkxfui7VKAsIMDA193QY-6lvYSq9nuub2J4dquo7kl1UQFl6rAchZddg6vz1kMV_m42mrRN 9wrHs97NnFeV1v1c9RxQA.bnUD1rwaSjRTt204pa9q2jbhEMjq CevQHWSvwLCFhwM&dib_tag=se&hvadid=521233274761&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9002572&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14364920146492996529&hvtargid=kwd-1295444854754&hydadcr=8377_11336099&keywords=ge%2Badvanced%2Bsilicone%2Bsealant&qid=1723762640&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1) and have been impressed with the strength of the bond.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=202797&d=1723761640

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=202798&d=1723761640

James

THanks! This helps a lot. Also, quick follow-up question. It appears as though since you included a single "rounded" nose piece of aluminum, you did not install any of the "flat" nose pieces that FFR provides. Is this correct? I was just playing with that idea as well, if I should include the FFR pieces and then layer the rounded piece on top of it, or if I should ditch the FFR aluminum panels and just install the rounded piece.

Hope that question makes sense.

[Lidodrip]

THanks! This helps a lot. Also, quick follow-up question. It appears as though since you included a single "rounded" nose piece of aluminum, you did not install any of the "flat" nose pieces that FFR provides. Is this correct? I was just playing with that idea as well, if I should include the FFR pieces and then layer the rounded piece on top of it, or if I should ditch the FFR aluminum panels and just install the rounded piece.

Hope that question makes sense.

If I understand the question correctly, you are referring to the rounded single piece aluminum radiator panel vs the 3 piece panel set FFR provides. I used Mike Everson's panel - http://replicaparts.com/Roadster%20aluminum%20panel%20page.htm - and did not use any of the FFR panels. Mike's panel did require a couple of trimmings to get the fit right, but I am very happy with it. As an added benefit, the aluminum piece does a great job holding the honeycomb protective radiator screen in place. Using the FFR panels, in addition to Mike's panel, is not needed and I think it would probably make installation more difficult. The single piece design is very secure and easily supports mounting the cooler.

James

[BrewCityCobra]

If I understand the question correctly, you are referring to the rounded single piece aluminum radiator panel vs the 3 piece panel set FFR provides. I used Mike Everson's panel - http://replicaparts.com/Roadster%20aluminum%20panel%20page.htm - and did not use any of the FFR panels. Mike's panel did require a couple of trimmings to get the fit right, but I am very happy with it. As an added benefit, the aluminum piece does a great job holding the honeycomb protective radiator screen in place. Using the FFR panels, in addition to Mike's panel, is not needed and I think it would probably make installation more difficult. The single piece design is very secure and easily supports mounting the cooler.

James

Yes! That is a much more clear way of describing everything.

Great, I was just about to put in the "bottom/middle" element of the 3 piece panel set FFR provides as I wasn't sure if the Mike Everson panel would be strong enough to support the oil cooler by itself. Looks like it will!

Appreciate the info.