Incontinent power-steering conversion on 4cyl model

[jackinthegreen]

Hi everyone,

I've not been on these forums for a good while, due to quite a lot happening in my life, not all of it particularly pleasant. Fortunately I still have my trusty Capri and am looking to get back to shows and lurk a bit more around here.

I have a 1985/C 2.0 Laser, which at some point in its history has been converted to have power steering. The pump/reservoir looks very similar to the units fitted to some other Ford models of a similar age (e.g. my friend's 1987 2.0 Sierra Ghia OHC, or 2.8/3.0 Capris). The steering rack, I presume, is simply a standard Capri 2.8/3.0 rack. Unfortunately the pipe leading from the pump to the rack has failed and needs replacing. The metal end on it has developed a hairline crack, so when running, the car absolutely piddles out fluid. I'm having a lot of trouble identifying what model this pipe originally came from, as it appears to be neither a Sierra nor Capri part as far as I can tell (I looked at photos of Sierra/Capri parts on eBay and online stores). If anyone could shed any light on what pipe I need to order, and where I might obtain one, I'd be really appreciative!

The pipe has a small metal tag clamped around it, which appears to show a Ford logo, part number and date of manufacture. The date of manufacture appears to be "2/2/82", and the part number seems to be either "V81FB A719BB" or "V81EB A719BB". An internet search for either of these part numbers turns up precisely nothing, and my local Ford garage is unable to search for parts for premillennial models.

I may be able to take a photo and post on here in a bit if it's any use.

Thanks all.

[Andrew 2.8i]

HI,
Without seeing your pipes it's hard to tell, but most pinto PS conversions I've read about have used either Granada or Transit pipes.

Andrew.

[rshyndy]

Any decent hydraulic hose repair specialist should be able to help. Also Pop along to a plant hire workshop and ask if they make there own hydraulic pipes. Do a Google search for local plant hire/ repair companies or hydraulic hose repair specialists.
Good luck

[rshyndy]

Also there is a man on here called Capri gear. He has been known to locate certain items from time to time

[jackinthegreen]

Hi all,

Thank you for the replies. Yes perhaps I should have asked Martin first, as I bet he's broken a few Pinto-engined capris with this conversion by now. If he doesn't see this post on here I'll try phoning later tomorrow. From further digging, two possible sources keep coming up - firstly, this pipe might be from a Granada, and possibly not a UK-spec one either; secondly, the pipe could be a standard 2.8i pipe that has been modified (rubber section of hose shortened). To me, the metal terminals don't look like it's from a 2.8i. Either way, it's looking increasingly like I'm going to struggle to find one "off the shelf", so if Martin doesn't have one it'll be a case of getting it fabricated.

Here is the link to a photo I took of the offending pipe in question:

http://s58.photobucket.com/user/mountai ... sort=3&o=0

Unfortunately, the Photobucket web site crashes both Firefox and Internet Explorer, so I can't select the right options to embed the image here.

Thanks for the help so far!

[pbar]

Unfortunately, the Photobucket web site crashes both Firefox and Internet Explorer

I don't know your settings obviously, but it could be that the Photobucket site is launching ad pages, close those down and it will run perfectly.

[jackinthegreen]

Thank you, I will try to update later from a PC, for the sake of future forum viewers. Also, for the benefit of future readers, one company I asked for advice (tickover) had actually performed the conversion in the first place, and informed me that it's a 2.8i pipe, that's been shortened and the ends heated up and bent to fit. I'm going to contact hosing/hydraulics specialists and hopefully get a new one fabricated.

[mellow-yellow]

I also have power steering on my capri and i had the 2.8i pipes shortened to fit the Pinto as the pump sits on the other side as the 2.8i.
Any hydrolic pipe company would do this job for you.
Hope this helps.
Ian.

[Arya2.0S]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but i was thinking about this the other day and didnt know it was even possible! Would love to do this to mine at some point as it can be a handful in a tight car park, and i aint no Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson so a power steering conversion would be great, but wasnt sure it was even possible on a simple 2.0 l. Glad to see its even a thing. Hope your issue gets sorted OP.