I swapped to a griffin "circle track" aluminum radiator, and the angle of the bottom tube out of the radiator was a little "inward" and my stock radiator hose kinked if I tried to bend it to fit. Someone on here recommended these stainless cut-and-bend-to-fit hoses off of e-bay, and after I installed it today, I was really impressed. It bends to fit whatever you have, and you can cut it down to as short as you need it. I bought the shortest at 28" and cut about 12" off of it, since I don't have to angle around the power steering pump anymore. So far, it is running fine under pressure and heat, and no leaks. The wife wants me to put one on the top for the "Chromed" look...
Keep in mind, I took the shortest one they had 24" for the bottom, and still cut off close to 12". The top one would take more length, I would guess. I think I paid $40 (shipped, and all) for this. Being e-bay, shipping was kinda steep, but at least I didn't buy 4 different rubber hoses before I found one that fit...
I bought the 48" kits because it came with enough parts to do both top and bottom hoses. BTW watch that plastic line for your oil pressure guage I had one blow apart on me it has now been replaced with a copper line.
Good post, Scott. It reminded me that when I was questioning many hotrodders on why my engine was running hot, one of the circle track guys said it could be that the hose is collapsing under high rpms. He suggested an AN line - very expensive. Your setup is much cheaper and accomplishes the same thing. I have an electric water pump to install now, so hopeully the high rpm thingy won't come into play, but thought I'd throw that tidbit out there. Oh yeah, and throw that plastic oil pressure line away before .... well, lot's of things happen.
, I had one pop inside the car on a nova I used to have. I was giving my wifes grandmother a ride to work and it sprayed oil all over her white shoes :evilsmile . She did not appreicate that very much. She never asked me for a ride again .
i run those too cuz i have too... but its kinda mickey mouse with the adapter you have to use... kinda scarry... i carry a spare one on long trips or a stock one just incase... even it the stock one gets kinked at least i'll be able to get it home. but they do beat the braided hose covering no more getting pokes and cussin like a salior.... no pun intended.
cooling hose It looks good and should work even better. The plastic oil line, loose it fast before it melts and causes a fire. Race tracks won't allow it either. They're just plain dangerous. 1/8" tubing replaces it.
don't wanna take over this thead but rick can you e-mail me on the electric pump your running... love to know who it works, which brand and what not i'm thinking of chaing to one. thanks yep... actually copper won't pass NHRA tech etiher... Autometer makes 3ft 4ft and 6ft braided line.. its just a beeeeachh trying to get the fitting though the fire wall. but i'd go with that.
I had been told this once before. Been looking at copper at the local store, but got a bunch of other projects going on right now, and not even driving it now. No seats at this time... Funny my track tech never said anything about it...It DOES seem like it is one of the more scary mickey mouse things on my car, and would do the most damage to the track...He was always more interested in how tight the battery was nailed down, putting a kill switch on it, stop wearing shorts and sandals when racing, that kind of stuff. It sure is hard to type with that picture just above where I am looking
In a thread I posted a while back, I asked which WP to run. "Riporter Rick" said he was running the CSR pump. He got it from an ebay store (link:HERE). I figured if it was good enough for Rick's 5 second car, it was good enough for mine, so I bought the same WP from the same guy. BTW, I called up the the ebay store owner ("Rich") first. He is a very nice guy and will answer any question you might have. The quality of the pump (and backing plate, hardware, and hose adapter that come with it) looks to be of good quality. For $325, one would expect that. I've yet to put my WP on. I just got my heads back from the machine shop yesterday. I will also be running the restrictor plate (in place of the thermostat). Apology for hi-jacking, Scott. Now about that plastic oil line again....:deadhorse
I had a plastic line in my '74 Grabber. It cracked right where it goes into the gauge while I was driving 75+ mph down the interstate in the H.O.V. lane. Man, what a mess that was. I went and bought a sunpro copper line, and that same copper line is in the '72 my brother drives now and still holding up fine 22,000 miles later.
