PS Reservoir for 5.0 Explorer Serp Conversion

[ntsqd]

Thanks for tidbits, let me check to be sure I understand, you saying from running a boroscope down a Lee rez that the only feature of note was a T fitting inside the rez where the return was “dumping” into the rez?

If so, seems like a good a idea, maybe would be a good complement to my cruciform idea.

I’ll dig in your build pics, thanks

It's not a fitting, it is two pieces of aluminium tube welded into a 'T'

My premise is to make the reservoir work like a dry sump tank in how it removes air from the fluid. The part that hadn't really registered with me until I had the system up and working is the volumetric exchange rate. The P type pump on the FSB is rated at 3.0 GPM. The jug that I used to build the reservoir holds 1000ML, or 0.26 gal. Some of the reservoir is air, so I estimate the reservoir to hold 0.2 gal. Think about how long it will take to pump the reservoir dry and refill it.

 

[Yeller]

@ntsqd is 100% correct. Pressure in the reservoir is important, especially at high rpm. So a vent is not needed.

Word of warning, Saginaw canned pumps do need a pressure relief vent, excessive pressure will balloon the can and cause the contents to spew and the can on the pump is dead. They need to be limited to 10 psi, the factory cap with the dipstick does a fine job of that, that’s why they have a spring on them. Pumps with a separate reservoir (like the explorer, super duty, etc.) can take much higher pressures so a vent is not needed.

 

[ksagis]

Lot’s of good feedback, thanks to all.

I think I might have an old explorer tank sitting around that I might deconstruct to see its internals.

Edit: I think taking ntqsq feedback of splitting the flow into two is great, especially if using a cruciform to additionally take out velocity. Need to think about the 3 GPM, I’m guessing that is function of RPM and for rock crawling that GPM is maybe less of a factor? Seems like psi and not gpm is more important? Still thinking tho.

Not clear what the benefit would be of a baffle above all the fittings, I need to think on that more.

 

[lars]

I guess I just got lucky with my zero-engineering reservoir. It's vented but would be easy to block. Maybe I should try it, though I'm afraid to mess with success.

 

[ksagis]

Maybe a stupid question but where does the pressure come from - guessing it’s the same as coolant caused by density change due to temperature? If so, looks like 5 percent or so.

Totally swagging a system volume of 3 quarts gives about 5 cu in of volume change (feels about right) so maybe the tank gets to 15 psi or so?

Feedback on 60 second math?

 

[nvrstuk]

Lot’s of good feedback, thanks to all.

I think I might have an old explorer tank sitting around that I might deconstruct to see its internals.

Edit: I think taking ntqsq feedback of splitting the flow into two is great, especially if using a cruciform to additionally take out velocity. Need to think about the 3 GPM, I’m guessing that is function of RPM and for rock crawling that GPM is maybe less of a factor? Seems like psi and not gpm is more important? Still thinking tho.

Not clear what the benefit would be of a baffle above all the fittings, I need to think on that more.

You need both GPM and pressure. GPM for filling your cylinder. Here's what happens if it doesn't have flow. You are idling into a parking lot and need to turn appr 90deg to get into that available space. You turn the strg wheel but the pump can't move enough fluid to fill the cylinder and you are limited in how fast you can rotate your strg wheel. IF you are lucky you will stop b4 your bumper hits the car that you wanted to park next to. FLUID RATE is extremely important. Pressure turns the 42"s against big rocks but volume allows you to turn your strg wheel "somewhat" rapidly so you miss the tree when on the trail or even the car in the parking lot.

My reservoir came from PSC decades ago. Return at the top and filter in the middle of the reservoir. Coolant line and outlet at the bottom. My cap is threaded, sealed with an O ring and the cap has an overflow fitting centered in it.


Lars- I think yours and my vented reservoirs work because we have our reservoirs with large inlet lines/fittings so there aren't restrictive at high rpm AND our pumps are mounted close to the pump AND above the pump. Extremely critical and even more so if not pressurized. I can screw a small 5 psi pressure valve on mine easily and PSC sells retrofit pressure valves, but mine works great at 6K rpm when cranking the wheel back and forth snow bashing so for once, I'm leaving something alone that already works.

 

[ntsqd]

My system with my reservoir (which holds more fluid than the Lee reservoir) has a 15 psi pressure release valve and the area under it was wet with PSF after climbing part of Wheeler Ridge two days ago. I could also hear the pump lightly cavitating.
ETA: We were at about 9,800 feet of elevation here when it was making the most noise.

 

[Yeller]

My bronco lightly begins to cavitate when over 5000’ of elevation. It’s doesn’t get worse at 14,000 so I’ve not dug deeper other than I know more volume in my reservoir would help. It’s all factory components for the pump and reservoir (for a CTS-V anyway). In theory it shouldn’t work at all. Pump and reservoir is destroyed turn a rack on a performance sedan, not a recirculating ball box and a hydraulic ram. It does and does fairly well. I wish sometimes at idle it had more volume, but from 1200rpm up it is fine. One thing I noticed having run the same system set up for a C5 Vette versus a CTS-V is that people that buy Cadillacs expect even the sports car to steer like a Cadillac. There is far more pressure from the Cadillac pump than the Vette pump, by the numbers almost double.

 

[ba123]

Lee now uses sealed caps in their reservoirs but they have a bleed line near the top of the reservoir.

https://leepowersteering.com/collections/reservoirs/products/stg-custom-reservoir-builder

Todd Z.

Not in the Explorer one unless they changed it since I got mine and it doesn't show that way in the Explorer pic:

Ford Explorer 5.0L Reservoir Kit

Lee reservoirs are much more than a tank for holding fluid. Our power steering reservoir uses a unique design to keep the fluid perfectly still. This results in zero cavitation and reduces air in the oil which keeps operating temperatures lower. Our pressurized cap keeps oil in and dirt out...

leepowersteering.com

 

[DirtDonk]

Can't recommend a vendor more than the guys at Lee.

Can’t tell you how good it is to hear that the newer runners of Lee are keeping up the reputation of the original.
From the sounds of it, they didn’t miss a step in the transition and have gone out of their way to keep good things good, and improve others.
Don’t get to hear that as often these days as we’d like.

 

[ntsqd]

Not in the Explorer one unless they changed it since I got mine and it doesn't show that way in the Explorer pic:

Ford Explorer 5.0L Reservoir Kit

Lee reservoirs are much more than a tank for holding fluid. Our power steering reservoir uses a unique design to keep the fluid perfectly still. This results in zero cavitation and reduces air in the oil which keeps operating temperatures lower. Our pressurized cap keeps oil in and dirt out...

leepowersteering.com

That's likely a pre change picture that hasn't been updated. But that is the cap and bung that I'd buy if still available.

Can’t tell you how good it is to hear that the newer runners of Lee are keeping up the reputation of the original.
From the sounds of it, they didn’t miss a step in the transition and have gone out of their way to keep good things good, and improve others.
Don’t get to hear that as often these days as we’d like.

They stumbled a little when first getting going, but they righted themselves fairly quickly.

 

[ba123]

Can’t tell you how good it is to hear that the newer runners of Lee are keeping up the reputation of the original.
From the sounds of it, they didn’t miss a step in the transition and have gone out of their way to keep good things good, and improve others.
Don’t get to hear that as often these days as we’d like.

Totally agree and they were great when I bought as well.

They did change their bracket right before I ordered and it was not an ideal change for me. They offered to send the old bracket when I asked but I ended up just modifying the new one and it worked better for my setup than either.

They were very responsive to this and other questions I had as well.

 

[Shimmy]

are yall using an explorer pump with large tires? i thought i read that pump was inferior to a saginaw?

 

[ba123]

are yall using an explorer pump with large tires? i thought i read that pump was inferior to a saginaw?

I'm using stock Explorer with 35" tires and it works great. If I ever do upgrade, I'd go with a Lee's reworked Explorer pump turned into a saginaw...but I doubt I'll ever need to.

 

[nvrstuk]

And when asking for comparisons, there is night and day difference between having your front-end locked at idle and turning the steering and then add in the front-end locked with the air pressure down to 5 or 6PSI and trying to turn the tires.

So when you ask for comparisons, make sure it's an apples to apples because the difference is NIGHT & DAY btw the two.

Just a heads up for those that haven't experience the difference.

 

[ba123]

And when asking for comparisons, there is night and day difference between having your front-end locked at idle and turning the steering and then add in the front-end locked with the air pressure down to 5 or 6PSI and trying to turn the tires.

So when you ask for comparisons, make sure it's an apples to apples because the difference is NIGHT & DAY btw the two.

Just a heads up for those that haven't experience the difference.

Great point! Maybe someone can say if they’ve done that with the Explorer pump but I have not.

She’s too pretty now.

 

[Soylent]

I’m still a squeaky v-belt at idle

 

[ba123]

I’m still a squeaky v-belt at idle

Squeaks suck!!!

Are your belts aligned? I had a nightmare issue of mine not being aligned and it was all due to my aftermarket heads. Used a belt laser to see where it was off and then spacer washers between the bracket and the head. New belt didn't squeak but slowly and slowly, it would get louder and louder.

 

[Soylent]

Squeaks suck!!!

Are your belts aligned? I had a nightmare issue of mine not being aligned and it was all due to my aftermarket heads. Used a belt laser to see where it was off and then spacer washers between the bracket and the head. New belt didn't squeak but slowly and slowly, it would get louder and louder.

That’s a good idea but I received a nice box from sanndmann and after the painless I will be v-belt no more.

 

[ba123]

That’s a good idea but I received a nice box from sanndmann and after the painless I will be v-belt no more.

Mine is serp, much better, but still need to be aligned. Hope it is!