Are the 1967 through 70 Cougar or Mustang power steering hoses making your head spinning? Read on for the breakdown in the changes, what you need to be looking out for, and changes you should consider.
1967: In 1967 Ford decided to route the power the power steering lines differently for the small block and the big block. Another difference in 1967 is that Ford decided to use a 1/4 inch threaded fitting on the pressure line that connects to the power steering control valve on the small blocks. This proved to be problematic and in 1968 they upgraded to a 5/16" fitting. If you have a 1967 Cougar or Mustang that still has the quarter inch threaded fitting on the pressure line that connects the power steering control valve, it's highly recommended that you upgrade to the 1968 - 70 version which has the 5/16" fitting which is much less prone to failure. The small nut (1/4") control valve poses a potential safety issue, thus the reason why Ford replaced it the following year. The small nut system was engineered dangerously close to the maximum psi tolerances of the crimp that holds the fitting on the tubing. In order to fix this potential safety issue you need to replace the pressure hose and the control valve for the 1968-70 version, which is a direct replacement.
Another thing that you might want to consider as a small block 67 Cougar or Mustang owner is rerouting the power steering hoses to follow the route used by the big block cars in 67-68 and all Cougars and Mustangs in 69-70. The 1967 - 1968 small block routed hoses were prone to getting burnt when they came in contact with the exhaust manifold and are frequently in the way if headers are used. This can cause a safety issue as it can cause the hoses to unexpectedly fail while driving. This conversion requires that you buy the 1969 - 1970 power steering hose bracket that mounts to your frame stand and that you purchase the small block 1969 hose kit. The 69 small block hose kit is the same as the 67-70 big block hose kit with the exception of the pressure hose that connects to the power steering pump, which is bent differently. Another difference is that some big blocks had a power steering cooler.
The holes are not pre-drilled on the 67-68 small blocks to mount the big block hose bracket. The locations of the hoses are marked on the engine side of the frame stands, but they will need to be drilled out. See pic below:
1968: In 1968 Ford again decided to route the power the power steering lines differently for the small block and the big block. As a small block 68 Cougar or Mustang owner, you should consider rerouting the power steering hoses to follow the route used by the big block cars and all Cougars and Mustangs in 69-70. The 1967 - 1968 small block routed hoses were prone to getting burnt when they came in contact with the exhaust manifold and are frequently in the way if headers are used. This can cause a safety issue as it can cause the hoses to unexpectedly fail while driving. This conversion requires that you buy the 1969 - 1970 power steering hose bracket that mounts to your frame stand and that you purchase the small block 1969 hose kit. The 69 small block hose kit is the same as the 67-70 big block hose kit with the exception of the pressure hose that connects to the power steering pump, which is bent differently. Another difference is that some big blocks had a power steering cooler.
1969 - 1970: Starting in 1969 Ford decided to route the power the power steering lines for the small block and the big block via the same route, which mounts to the frame stand, thus eliminating the safety issues with the 67-68 small block routing. In 1969 - 70 the hose kits were basically the same with the exception of the upper pressure hose that connects to the power steering pump, which varied based upon the motor, and whether there was a power steering cooler.