61/62 PS lines replacement question

[Ken Stevens]

I’ve had my 61 convertible for 30 years. It still has the OEM radiator with the trans fluid and PS fluid cooling fittings and works great. A previous owner replaced some of the lines and removed the valve unit the fluid passes through on the way to the wiper motor. In effect, it became like the 62 version except the radiator connections remain.

I’m intending to replace the pump and all the lines as the whole shebang is hemorrhaging fluid. Would there be any reason to keep the radiator connections for the hydraulic hoses or can I simply run the new return line directly to the reservoir like the 62 version?

I’m also having the timing cover pulled, the timing chain checked, and a replacement fuel pump pushrod eccentric installed. I was debating going with the 63 eccentric with the steel pushrod. Anyone ever done that?

An old geezer full of questions…

[Lee]

Ken, in my opinion, you should be OK. Now if it still had the ‘61 wiper setup, I’d hesitate, if only because I’m not sure if that needed additional cooling, which was not apparently necessary in 1962. Just make sure you keep the same fluid routing map.

I don’t know about the ‘63 fuel pump setup, but are you having some problem that makes you suspect the rod or eccentric?

[Ken Stevens]

The pushrod has the bronzite tip. It completely wears off within a thousand miles. The 63 used an eccentric with an outer captive sleeve that spun on the oil film thereby permitting a solid steel pushrod as there is no wear point on the tip. I hope I am explaining that accurately.

[frasern]

The two part eccentric was used in all Ford engines by late '60s, but only Lincoln used a pushrod. I don't know why anyone would put the old style eccentric back in, the cost of upgrading is miniscule, by all means change it! (My opinion).
Also, I think the steering cooler was overkill, that's why it was discontinued, If you aren't concerned with originality, it is simply something else to go wrong.

[TonyC]

I seem to remember Ron Baker also recommending such a change. After all, it's not like show judges will demand removing the front cover to verify the originality of the fuel pump pushrod. Such a change will be a true upgrade.

---Tony

[Dan Szwarc]

Ken, it's good to see you. Been a long time!

[rick]

Ken, I always enjoy looking at the photo of the blue convertible.

[TonyC]

I have to say that I'm curious about the steering cooler, and why it was deleted after '61. I had recently wondered whether a cooler of some type could have benefits, to keep the components from suffering overheat damage. I suppose it was not really necessary...?

---Tony

[Mike]

The coolers in the rad tanks don't do all that much. They probably figured it wasn't worth the extra components.

[Lee]

I’ve seen examples of inline ps coolers on various other Fords over the years, but the ‘61 is the only example I know of where they used the radiator. I’m not sure what criteria the design engineers use to determine whether a certain model gets one.

In any event, leaving the cooler lines running through the radiator can’t hurt.

[frasern]

As I think more about it, that cooler will also help to heat the fluid when cold, as a transmission cooler does, so maybe it serves something. Keeping it will cost more, and if you ever need a rad, you will be searching for the rarest one, but I still think it will be fine without it.