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I've seen it mentioned here that the lower radiator hose should have a spring in it to prevent collapse. Is this true for a '77 L-48? I felt around in mine and could not feel one. Another suspect causing the car to run hot on the freeway?
My 73 L-48 car has a spring in the lower radiator hose. I had to transfer the spring to the new hose when I replaced it. Without the spring it could be colapsing, causing an overheating problem.
I just did a quick search of the larger parts suppliers and they all carry GM lower radiator hoses but there is no mention of a spring. Is it assumed that they all have a spring? Does the spring run the length of the hose or just in the bend? I'm squeezing the hose but I can't feel a spring, would I be able to?
I did more searching and went to Paragon's web site. They have a more detailed description of their radiator hoses. In their descriptions of lower radiator hoses, they specifically say whether the hoses have the spring, but not for the Late '76-82 hose. Did the '76L-'82 lower hose originally have a spring? I noticed in the pictures that the '76L-'82 design was a little straighter than the other years. Maybe the '76L-'82 lower radiator hose was designed so a spring wasn't necessary????
I had problems finding one with a spring installed also. The straight universal hose that most auto parts store have on hand has the spring in it. I bought one of these and removed the spring from it and installed it in a new molded lower hose.