1.On the 5.8L engine, cooling system, a 3/8" hose from the manifold to the block. Know what to ask for to replace this? Used transmission 3/8 hose under emergency conditions but need permanent replacement. Ford diagnosed the leak as water pump, timing chain cover and the hose and recommended replacing the timing chain when doing all that. I replaced only the hose and saved $1800.

2. Background: radiator boiling over. Ford service replaced it with a new unit that had plastic parts on the sides. The radiator started leaking where the plastic tanks were cemented on! Ford replaced it. My question: are the parts made today, even FoMoCo parts, inferior to those originals. Specifically, would a timing chain of today be as good as a 1991 timing chain. In other words, would a new timing chain of today be more or less likely to fail than a 1991 timing chain currently installed with 170K miles on it?

Any responses appreciated.