PS hoses

[Carmelo P.]

67 327/350
Is there a vendor or supplier that has power steering hoses with correct end crimps...
thanks

[Gary J.]

Re: PS hoses

No one is doing the single crimp. Safety issue as with the brake hoses.

[Carmelo P.]

Re: PS hoses

Good to know, thanks...

[Joe L.]

Re: PS hoses

67 327/350
Is there a vendor or supplier that has power steering hoses with correct end crimps...
thanks

Carmelo------


The only source I know of for original style end crimps are NOS GM hoses. The original hoses used in PRODUCTION and once available in SERVICE were actually manufactured by the Saginaw Division of GM. With two exceptions, they were identical from 1963 until they were progressively discontinued from SERVICE beginning in 1998. The exceptions were: (1) at some point the zinc plated steel components of the hose assemblies were applied a chromate ("goldish") overplate. This is easily removed, though; (2) in later SERVICE the return hose, although still under the original part number, was outsourced to a non Saginaw manufacturer and the fitting was double crimped.

[Joe L.]

Re: PS hoses

67 327/350
Is there a vendor or supplier that has power steering hoses with correct end crimps...
thanks

Carmelo-------


Here are photos of the original GM hoses as follows:

The 1st 3 photos are of 2 GM #3826278 power steering fluid return hoses. Note that one of the hoses has a double crimp on the fitting. I purchased this hose from GM about 25 years ago. Even at that time and under the original part number the hose had transitioned to the double crimp design. The second hose is an earlier hose of single crimp design. I'd been looking for one of these for more than 25 years and just found one recently.

All of the other hoses shown below remained single crimp from the time of their first use in 1963 until they were discontinued without supercession beginning about 25 years ago.

DSCN4327.jpgDSCN4328.jpgDSCN4329.jpg

This is a GM #3826275 extend hose:

DSCN4332.jpg

This is a GM #3826276 retract hose:

DSCN4331.jpg

This is a GM #3826277 small block pressure hose:

DSCN4333.jpg

This is a GM #3878886 big block pressure hose:

DSCN4334.jpgDSCN4335.jpg

[Carmelo P.]

Re: PS hoses

Thanks Joe for the replies. I was informed at Corvettes @Carlisle that single crimp is not allowed by DOT...
Thoughts?

[Joe L.]

Re: PS hoses

Thanks Joe for the replies. I was informed at Corvettes @Carlisle that single crimp is not allowed by DOT...
Thoughts?

Carmelo-------

Yes, single crimp BRAKE HOSES cannot be manufactured and sold under DOT regulations. I do not know if that actually applies to power steering hoses but it probably does. However, I do not think that regulation applies to actually installing and using such hoses if one happens to have them. Personally, I would not use single crimp brake hoses (even though I have many) but not because of the single crimp. I would not use them because they are very old at this point having not been manufactured in 45+ years. These power steering hoses were still being manufactured until about 25 years ago. I would have absolutely no reservations about using them (although I likely will not). By the way, these hoses are not for sale. Among other reasons, I've waited 25+ years to find a single crimp return hose. You don't think I'd part with it now, do you?

[Justin S.]

Re: PS hoses

Joe,
I would imagine that there's no regulation enforced on steering assist hoses as, at the very least, the system would continue to work.

[James G.]

Re: PS hoses

No regualtions on PS hoses AFAIK.
I typically buy every single crimp NOS power steering hose for C2-C3 vettes I run across. I usually have a couple of small block pump to valve pressure hoses. I haven't had a BB one for a couple of years.
If you can find someone with a collet hose crimper you can get it made.
I know of a guy who restored a 69 Camaro with AC who could not get the correct original single crimp done on an AC line, he ended up buying a set of dies, welded and reground them so they made the original AC LEAF STYLE single crimps.
Which is what I figure I will do when the supply of NOS is depleted OR the cost of a hose becomes the purchase price of a used crimper. (they are often on ebay for $1000)