Help 78 vette
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Salem Ohio
Help 78 vette
I need help. My top radiator hose collapses and expands so it looks like a snake ate a soccer ball. What could be causing that? The thermostat?
Also what temporature should the car run at?
Also what temporature should the car run at?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Sounds like the hose is bad. Replace it.
I had a '78 L82...it ran normally in the 190-210 degree range, depending on my driving and the driving conditions...temps, stop and go, a/c on, etc.
I had a '78 L82...it ran normally in the 190-210 degree range, depending on my driving and the driving conditions...temps, stop and go, a/c on, etc.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Salem Ohio
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: CA
When they get old, they get soft. If you squeeze it you can tell it.
My 74 runs at 190/200 all the time with a 180 thermostat and a 16#
rad cap and I live in the Hi desert of Ca. I would replace both hoses(wire in lower one) and thermostat. Cheep fix. Also check your flow in rad.
glassman74
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,433
Likes: 239
From: Powassan ON
My 78 runs 190 to 200 as well. 
with above....replace BOTH hoses and the thermostat while your at it, just to be safe.
Hoses are cheap... whay not do both at the same time.
Its like belt, why replace just one?
Dodosmike
with above....replace BOTH hoses and the thermostat while your at it, just to be safe. Hoses are cheap... whay not do both at the same time.
Its like belt, why replace just one?
Dodosmike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Putting a lower temp thermostat does not help the car run cooler...it only makes it take a little longer to reach its normal operating temperature. The thermostat provides a minimum temperature...it doesn't cap the temperature.
If it overheats with a 180 or 195 degree thermostat, it still will with a 160 degree 'stat. As I said, it just takes a little longer to do so. The solution is to find out the root cause of running too hot and address that.
If it overheats with a 180 or 195 degree thermostat, it still will with a 160 degree 'stat. As I said, it just takes a little longer to do so. The solution is to find out the root cause of running too hot and address that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
Also try replacing the radiator cap - it is designed to let coolant from the recovery tank return into the radiator when the engine cools and pulls a vacuum in the cooling system. If it is blocked, the negative pressure in the cooling system any cause the hose to collapse as the engine cools hours later.
On the other hand, if it collapses while the engine is running, that would indicate blockage in the engine which lets the water pump suction collapse a bad upper radiator hose (likely a thermostat problem). In any event, replace those hoses, the thermostat, and the cap.
On the other hand, if it collapses while the engine is running, that would indicate blockage in the engine which lets the water pump suction collapse a bad upper radiator hose (likely a thermostat problem). In any event, replace those hoses, the thermostat, and the cap.
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