Radiator Hose Question

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May 18, 2011 | 12:24 PM

jdonovan

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Radiator Hose Question

I am replacing the upper/lower radiator hoses on my 1966 F250. The aftermarket hoses on the truck have springs in them. I bought an NOS upper hose which doesn't have a spring, but is thicker than the aftermarket one. (I haven't received the NOS lower hose yet). My question is, were there springs inside the radiator hoses from the factory ?..thanks..Joe

May 18, 2011 | 01:23 PM

Beechkid

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From: Southern California

For years many aftermarket included the springs inside the hoses...but no more (IMHO)

May 18, 2011 | 01:57 PM

thechief66

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From: Colorado Springs CO

The lower hose normally has a spring, because it's under suction (water pump pulling fluid out of the radiator). The upper hose is under pressure, so no spring required.

May 18, 2011 | 03:53 PM

Rgd9664

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From: Portland, Or

Does it need the spring now still for the lower?

May 18, 2011 | 04:55 PM

shortwide

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From: Texas

I personally wouldn't use a lower hose without a spring, unless that's the only choice I had.

Call it being overly cautious on my part, but I've seen them collapse a time or two. I've even pulled the spring out of an old hose and put it in a new one when I couldn't find one with a spring.

May 18, 2011 | 05:16 PM

Rgd9664

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From: Portland, Or

Ok I agree with being over cautious, then would the thermostat come into play as well? (180/?) So it opens at a good temperature? Also what temperature would that be.
Sorry for

but I want to replace all my hoses and im new to old trucks and can't count on auto part store flunkys to give me the right parts.

May 18, 2011 | 05:48 PM

shortwide

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From: Texas

Yeah....if you don't know the age of your thermostat, replace it....it's a cheap part that's easy to replace....no need to run around with one you're unsure of. Do the hoses and thermostat all at the same time because you're going to loose your coolant, and there's no sense in replacing it twice when you can do it once. It's also a good time to flush out your radiator and engine.

I run a 190 in my truck because it tends to run cool like most of the 240s and 300s do, but a 180 may work for you.

I try to buy my parts at my local NAPA and try to go in when I know that a couple of knowledgeable guys are working. However, my NAPA isn't open on the weekends so I sometimes end up at OReillys. When I do, I ALWAYS take the old part in with me and compare the new part right there on the spot.

One last little bit of advice: When I change a thermostat or water pump, I always fill up the cooling system with regular water and run it for a few minutes to check for leaks. If it's ok....then I drain the water and put the coolant mixture in. If you put your coolant in straightaway and have a leak, you'll loose that coolant when you correct the leak, and good coolant is not cheap.