u/Skeptical_AF

It was beautiful weather and just a great day. was also road-testing some of my latest work & repairs. meanwhile, met several nice people along the way who wanted to talk about & see more of Lola.

You can't go anywhere in this car without knowing you'll spend extra time. because that's what these classic cars do is lot's of smiles, thumbs up, good memories and new friends. they really bring people together in the best way.

Sneak peak of the cat in the garage rn...

It was partly a rainy weekend, but missed a couple planned shows even during the clear weather because the power steering suddenly gave me shitt out of nowhere this past week, with noise, a blown pressure hose and tons of ATF fluid spewed out all over the place on everything under the car (including the backside of my new wheels/tires🙃

Yes i could've just removed the PS belt and drove on. But, i said to myself, 'IF' i go and do this, i know what will happen. I'll move on to other issues/projects and the car will keep being driven with broken power-steering, since is only an accessory & not a necessity... it'll go broken to eternity.

So i was like, no, i have to address and get this properly repaired & working again now. Anyhow, happy to say after 3 tedious & frustrating repair attempts and going thru 2 different sets of purchased hose pairs for the control valve-to-cylinder/ram' then a complete fail 1st time tested where a new quart of fluid blew out of all 4 connections. next day i was able to overcome, test and succeed but the hand wrenching was very frustrating and difficult mostly due to clearance issues with the head of the wrench itself and no room to make needed moves.

It was all done laying on the floor reaching in from the driver's side and/or up under the front of the car at standard ride height. It involved ordered a proper design, high quality USA made pair of hoses, (ended up throwing away the cheap chinese mustang hoses i 1st ordered which the rigid pipe sections were just all wrong configuration, yet said cougar compatible) then used some new metal replacement 'tube seats' and also ended using 1/4" copper flare gaskets on 2 existing seats on the control valve side with brand new seats on the ram cylinder hose connections.

So, fully tested, and finally... no more leaks, power steering restored even standing still in the garage, easy wheels turns like butter... and Lola will soon be back on the road for next week cruising and more upcoming shows.

Also will soon share some more photos as i haven't stopped bringing this car back mechanical, suspension plus inside and out all from hellish levels. all free-time for over 1 year now, soo many hours in. alot of hard azz work, blood, sweat, tears and $$$ but in more ways than one, it is really paying off now😉Thanks for reading.

Parts related to PS control valve to ram cylinder new hose install:

Tube Seat Set - Control Valve and Ram Cylinder - 5/16" - 6 Pieces - Power Steering - Repro ~ 1967 - 1970 Mercury Cougar / 1967 - 1970 Ford Mustang ( 1967 Mercury Cougar, 1968 Mercury Cougar, 1969 Mercury Cougar, 1970 Mercury Cougar, 1967 Ford Mustang, 1968 Ford Mustang, 1969 Ford Mustang, 1970 Ford Mustang ) at West Coast Classic Cougar :: The Definitive 1967 - 1973 Mercury Cougar Parts Source

60Pcs Copper Flare Gasket Fit for 1/4" Tube, 45 Degree Copper Flare Plug | Fitting for Air Conditioner Refrigeration Accessories: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Amazon.com: Auto Krafters Compatible/Replacement For Power Steering Hoses 1966-74 Fairlane Falcon Maverick Torino Mustang Comet Cougar Montego (C6OZ-3A714/7PR) : Automotive

These Cougars are really so rare out there in 2026. It was abnormally cold & windy until the final hour but still, over 800 cars there that day across 4 parking lots. Like 3,000 late model Vettes lol... but only 3 Gen1 Cougars! Lola got alot of love.

EDIT: The 3 Cougars including mine were: two 1968 & third was the different '69/'70 body-style 1969

Hanging out with the cat on a really nice day😎