Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

El Campo · 01-03-2012, 12:47 PM

Yesterday went to the salvage yard and pulled a hydroboost, pump,MC off of a 99 GM full size 2500 van. This will be going onto my 72. The van had a small oil cooler plumbed into the return circuit that was obviously factory. Is this a good idea to incorporate? I had never heard of cooling the powersteering fluid before.

El Campo · 01-03-2012, 02:25 PM

Here is a picture.

bubba353z · 01-03-2012, 09:27 PM

The road race guys put them on regularly. I'd guess that since a loaded up van is heavy, that they run a lot of pump pressure to help people one finger the steering wheel in parking lots.

I'd probably leave it on.

usmcchevy · 01-03-2012, 09:45 PM

I'm running hydroboost with no cooler. I haven't road raced and if I drive hard its only for a short time. No problems......yet.

**Dieselwrencher** · 01-03-2012, 10:29 PM

It's more for heavy towing. During hard braking/turning the power steering fluid can be heated up very rapidly and power steering fluid is burnt easily. The cooler isn't necessary for everyone, but if you plan to tow, I'd make sure to plumb it in your system.

Street Smart · 01-03-2012, 10:33 PM

We install hydra boost systems all the time, brand new kits as well as piecing together stuff in drivers, never seen a problem not using a cooler. But it can`t hurt to use it as long as its in good shape.

Andy4639 · 01-04-2012, 01:08 AM

My dad had this and gave it to me a long time ago. Early 80's I guess, don't have any idea what it's for but I installed it on the 71.

El Campo · 01-04-2012, 09:05 PM

Only thing this truck will ever pull is ladies. Hahahaha!! JK But I plan on using all 633 of those HP under the hood regularly so I went ahead and grabbed the cooler. Figured cool oil couldnt hurt much and the cooler plus extra hoses only weigh about 2 pounds. Looks like it will mount perfectly under the core support just like it did on the van

hugger6933 · 01-04-2012, 10:37 PM

Most all of the later model GM trucks [going back to 1988] had a power steering oil cooler. Hydroboost is not a factor in it most trucks have or had the cooler. I have had several hundred of those trucks come thru my shop one way or another, and I have seen a lot of them. In fact, I thought about this post today when I was at the shop and saw about 6 of them laying outside the shop by the door.

ls1nova71 · 01-04-2012, 11:09 PM

I put the factory cooler that came with the hydroboost on my truck, just 'because', guess you can't really over cool it.

tasian · 01-04-2012, 11:29 PM

i've never run hydroboost so i can't help there but heres a picture of the powersteering cooler on my truck i guess they didn't start putting fins on for a while this one came on a 76'

i know its not really needed but i figured the same thing why not run it and i've never felt it get hot so i guess its working

01-03-2012, 12:47 PM	#1
El Campo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: El Campo, Tx Posts: 1,246	Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? Yesterday went to the salvage yard and pulled a hydroboost, pump,MC off of a 99 GM full size 2500 van. This will be going onto my 72. The van had a small oil cooler plumbed into the return circuit that was obviously factory. Is this a good idea to incorporate? I had never heard of cooling the powersteering fluid before. __________________ 72 Chevy blue LWB, 99% original Oklahoma truck, 28,000 miles 72 Chevy SWB: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486626 (Attempt/Mistake #2) 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide with 2007 Street Bob front end 2000 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB, 310,000 miles running great (STOLEN St. Patricks Day 2014 AND NEVER RECOVERED) 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB (To replace stolen one) Hook em Horns!!!

01-03-2012, 02:25 PM	#2
El Campo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: El Campo, Tx Posts: 1,246	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? Here is a picture. Attached Images __________________ 72 Chevy blue LWB, 99% original Oklahoma truck, 28,000 miles 72 Chevy SWB: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486626 (Attempt/Mistake #2) 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide with 2007 Street Bob front end 2000 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB, 310,000 miles running great (STOLEN St. Patricks Day 2014 AND NEVER RECOVERED) 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB (To replace stolen one) Hook em Horns!!!

01-03-2012, 09:27 PM	#3
bubba353z Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Oh Posts: 152	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? The road race guys put them on regularly. I'd guess that since a loaded up van is heavy, that they run a lot of pump pressure to help people one finger the steering wheel in parking lots. I'd probably leave it on.

01-03-2012, 09:45 PM	#4
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? I'm running hydroboost with no cooler. I haven't road raced and if I drive hard its only for a short time. No problems......yet. __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index

01-03-2012, 10:29 PM	#5
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,138	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? It's more for heavy towing. During hard braking/turning the power steering fluid can be heated up very rapidly and power steering fluid is burnt easily. The cooler isn't necessary for everyone, but if you plan to tow, I'd make sure to plumb it in your system. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

01-03-2012, 10:33 PM	#6
Street Smart Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Brooklyn N.Y. Posts: 819	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? We install hydra boost systems all the time, brand new kits as well as piecing together stuff in drivers, never seen a problem not using a cooler. But it can`t hurt to use it as long as its in good shape. __________________ 1967 GMC Suburban, Supercharged 6.2 LS with a 6l80e , my 11 second tow vehicle! pic in my profile 1987 GMC CrewCab Dually 6.0 LS/6L90e, new tow pig. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...=74049&cat=500

01-04-2012, 01:08 AM	#7
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? My dad had this and gave it to me a long time ago. Early 80's I guess, don't have any idea what it's for but I installed it on the 71. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

01-04-2012, 09:05 PM	#8
El Campo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: El Campo, Tx Posts: 1,246	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? Only thing this truck will ever pull is ladies. Hahahaha!! JK But I plan on using all 633 of those HP under the hood regularly so I went ahead and grabbed the cooler. Figured cool oil couldnt hurt much and the cooler plus extra hoses only weigh about 2 pounds. Looks like it will mount perfectly under the core support just like it did on the van __________________ 72 Chevy blue LWB, 99% original Oklahoma truck, 28,000 miles 72 Chevy SWB: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486626 (Attempt/Mistake #2) 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide with 2007 Street Bob front end 2000 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB, 310,000 miles running great (STOLEN St. Patricks Day 2014 AND NEVER RECOVERED) 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB (To replace stolen one) Hook em Horns!!!

01-04-2012, 10:37 PM	#9
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,257	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? Most all of the later model GM trucks [going back to 1988] had a power steering oil cooler. Hydroboost is not a factor in it most trucks have or had the cooler. I have had several hundred of those trucks come thru my shop one way or another, and I have seen a lot of them. In fact, I thought about this post today when I was at the shop and saw about 6 of them laying outside the shop by the door.

01-04-2012, 11:09 PM	#10
ls1nova71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 4,118	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? I put the factory cooler that came with the hydroboost on my truck, just 'because', guess you can't really over cool it. __________________ My '72 short bed build. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html 5.3 swap into my RUSTY '71 C10 http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...71-c-10-a.html

01-04-2012, 11:29 PM	#11
tasian Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: hangtown, ca Posts: 244	Re: Hydroboost heat up powersteering fluid? i've never run hydroboost so i can't help there but heres a picture of the powersteering cooler on my truck i guess they didn't start putting fins on for a while this one came on a 76' i know its not really needed but i figured the same thing why not run it and i've never felt it get hot so i guess its working __________________ Betsy's build 70 c20 4 speed 406sb



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