Does anybody know if and or who repops the springs that go in the lower rad hose, usually found on the "big cars" I think? I have a new set of hoses for my engine build but would like to add the spring like factory did just for extra insurance.
Thanks Larry. Are they not vehicle specific? Or is it a as long as the spring O.D fits the hoses I.D. it's good to go scenario?
As long as you can fit the spring in there, you are good to go. I doubt you will be able to find a specific one reproduced. If you scroll down in the link, you'll see it fits 70's 350 and 455 Buicks. There is some difference in opinion as to whether you need the spring at all. The cooling system operates under pressure, and unless there is a MAJOR restriction in the radiator, the hose should not collapse.
The spring is something often overlooked. It needs to be in there. Something as simple as that can have you chasing a cooling problem that shouldn’t be. The hose will collapse and become restrictive,but you can’t see it because you are in the car,driving down the road.
I think you are 100% correct Brain, I was chasing cooling issues with my old engine. The entire cooling system was replaced OTHER than the hoses, I figured hey they look good and they're not leaking. I even had Larry help me out with confirming my timing was correct and my vac advance was working properly to eliminate that as a possible suspect. I changed spark plugs, used 50/50 antifreeze with water wetter you name it I tried it, yet still the car wanted to run around 190 (180 Tstat) and creep up around 205-210 sometimes while under load cruising. It wasn't until I pulled the engine last fall and removed everything I realized how soft the hoses were. That's when the collapsing hose thoughts popped in my head since it was the only thing left. There was no head gasket failure on the engine either so the coolant wasn't boiling or disappearing.
It's a good idea especially with 3.64 and up gears. Water pump really gets going and if the radiator is clogged at all it will try to collapse the lower hose. Yeah you can't see it driving down the road but on one car I was able to see it starting just revving way up in neutral.
I was chasing cooling issues as well, and I did notice my upper hose was collapsing when I revved the throttle. So, imo, they springs need to be in there. Even though the hose manufacturers claim that the newer hoses don't need them.
So I just realized the springs Larry and I both posted have a diameter/width of 2.5" and the I.D. of the rad hose is 1 5/8" max. So unless I'm missing something how these fit they both won't work. However this Mustang one looks like it will work.
I'd stick with the 2.5" OD spring. I'm guessing to install it you corkscrew it in and that should compress the OD. The 1.5" OD spring will have a loose fit in the 1.625" ID hose and will probably eventually wear through it. Plus the OE spring is 4.5" longer. The shorter spring could potentially still allow the hose to at least partially collapse.
Chris, so you got the one I posted above from cjpony parts or did you order a different size, if so what prt# did you order? How was the fitment? Cheers, Bob
Ok thanks Chris. I'll buy that one and give it a whirl, better than nothing in there at all I guess lol.
