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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: JohnW on March 28, 2014, 10:35:56 AM

Title: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: JohnW on March 28, 2014, 10:35:56 AM
I want to buy a new manual rack to replace my power one for my 80 hatch. The power rack is 3 full turns of the wheel from lock-to-lock. Can I get a new manual one with the same ratio? What are the factory ratios for manual and power racks?

Or can I just hook the inlet and outlet together on a power rack?
Title: Re: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: Bigtimmay on March 28, 2014, 10:49:43 AM
if you don't mind the hose and the extra weight of the power rack you can just make sure its topped off and loop the hose and have no problems.
Title: Re: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: dick1172762 on March 28, 2014, 03:48:08 PM
PM'd YOU!
Title: Re: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: JohnW on March 28, 2014, 06:17:36 PM
Running the power rack without any pressure/flow won't cause any harm? I'll probably just go that route then.
Title: Re: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: dick1172762 on March 28, 2014, 08:13:06 PM
That's what we've done for years. FO MO CO told us to do that when Pintos were new. Still works.
Title: Re: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: Bigtimmay on March 30, 2014, 04:18:14 PM
Running the power rack without any pressure/flow won't cause any harm? I'll probably just go that route then.

nope wont do any harm as long as you loop the 2 ports together
Title: Re: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: JohnW on April 04, 2014, 08:22:37 AM
Great, I'll use my old rack for a core to get a rebuilt power one.
Title: Re: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: poomwah on April 04, 2014, 08:26:14 AM
does the hose itself have to be full? or just top off the rack itself and then attach the "jumper" hose?
If by topping off you mean fill the hose too, what's the best way to to that?  T-fitting with a cap, like a heater hose flush kit?
Title: Re: Manual Rack Ratio Question
Post by: dick1172762 on April 04, 2014, 09:49:07 AM
Fill the hose, but just remember the power rack is a quicker steering rack and as such, will require a slight more effort to steer with out any power from the pump. No big deal. Try it and you can always go back to the pump. If the steering was too lite for your likeing, Speadway Motors has a control valve to alter the pressure.