Can’t go wrong with new hoses – but if old hoses were not leaking – I would use those for now, get new hoses and put them up for future need. Hoses for these cars are getting somewhat hard to find, but are out there.
The return hose is an odd size to find (11/32”) – but it is available on eBay.
5/16” is too small and 3/8” is way way too big to use (can’t get a hose clamp tight enough to get hose to seal. The hose is under low pressure, so with correct size hose and a couple of spring clips – is fine. Reusing the old hose is also fine.
I recommend using the current brackets for now, to get things going. Once that is done – then you have a template to either make or to find the correct bracket(s).
Also – there are three different A/C compressors used on /6’s, the RV2, C-171 and (I can’t remember the name right off – but an aftermarket one used for add-on A/C) – and all three compressor designs uses different brackets.
The RV2 and C-171 depends on what year car was made (’78 and ’79 was break year – depending on part supply. Sometimes it would go back and forth depending on the supply of C-171's on hand).
No A/C, P/S brackets are out there - but you will need to know what you need, to look for.
You are not going to get a no P/S steering column intermediate shaft to compress to fit a P/S gear. It is not going to happen without a torch. P/S intermediate shafts are about 3” shorter.
When I looked this up, just now, I learned two new things. It doesn’t appear P/S came with manual transmission (column shifted) F or M-bodies in ’77 or ’78. Also there are three different intermediate shafts in ’77-78, as well (I was expecting 2 different shafts).
These pictures are from my '78 parts manual. First two are column shifted manual transmission), Last two are everything else.
Manual transmission (column shift) and no P/S F-body 3748808 (no mention on length – but presumed to be 10½” long)
Auto transmission or floor shifted manual and no P/S F-body 3748648 10.51” long
Auto transmission or floor shifted manual and P/S F & M-body 3748649 7.38” long
Note: length would be from rag mount to center of pin (inside of slip coupling)
Now I have questions – which I can’t answer:
Why not manual transmission with P/S? I would prefer to have a manual transmission and P/S.
Why are manual transmission and automatic (both without P/S) shafts different?
Note: I don’t need an answer. Just something to ponder.
Unrelated, I’ve been told the steering gear spline diameter is different between manual and P/S gears – but that is not a big issue – since shaft lengths are different to begin with (if spline diameter difference applies). Item number 49 on first picture.
Two things I would do before gear install:
Install a new pittman shaft (manual gear arm has different spline diameter – so won’t fit). Most pittman arms are sealed (no way to grease them) and for all of the work to install one, I just wouldn’t use a used arm.
Purchase and install this kit (or one like it) into new coupler
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Mopar-Steering-Pot-Coupler-Repair-Kit-STOP-the-SLOP-W-Instructions-/222514825910?hash=item33ceeacab6:g:uzIAAOxy3NBSjucV
BudW