78 Top Hose Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 442
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
78 Top Hose Question
During my recent radiator change I noticed that the bottom hose on my 78 has a wire reinforcement inside, which appears to help the hose keep its shape?
I also noticed thatthe top hose does not have this reinforcement, despite its tendancy to "fall" into the fan belt :confused:
So, should the top hose have the reinforcement, or is it only necessary on the bottom hose?
Any ideas, before I go and buy a new one :(
I also noticed thatthe top hose does not have this reinforcement, despite its tendancy to "fall" into the fan belt :confused:
So, should the top hose have the reinforcement, or is it only necessary on the bottom hose?
Any ideas, before I go and buy a new one :(
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: 78 Top Hose Question (Stephen Irons)
Bottom radiator hose has the coil 'spring' inside to prevent it from collapsing / being sucked together, since it's on the suction side of the water pump.
Upper hose is on the 'push' side of the flow, so no risk of it being sucked togehter, so no internal wire 'spring' on this hose. You should have a small braket on your alternator bracket to prevent jumping of the alternator belt, and this should help to keep the belt from hitting the upper hose. I've also found that you should install upper hose and keep both end clamps loose, and then you can kind of twist the hose up, for additional necessary clearance, before you tighten each hose clamp.
Upper hose is on the 'push' side of the flow, so no risk of it being sucked togehter, so no internal wire 'spring' on this hose. You should have a small braket on your alternator bracket to prevent jumping of the alternator belt, and this should help to keep the belt from hitting the upper hose. I've also found that you should install upper hose and keep both end clamps loose, and then you can kind of twist the hose up, for additional necessary clearance, before you tighten each hose clamp.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 442
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Re: 78 Top Hose Question (john's '81 mouse)
Thanks John!
