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Recommendations for radiator hoses - 1500

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bigjones

bigjones

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Hi folks,

The lower hose is started to show cracks.
Might as well replace all hoses while I'm at it so has anyone got recommendations for good qualty radiator hoses for a 1975 (1500 - rubber bumper) Midget.

Also, is there any other preventive maintenance that should be done "while I'm at it"?

The car is running famously (not overheating or anything - I just want to keep it that way!)

Cheers
 
Also,
there doesn't seem to be a nice way of draining the radiator.
Do folks just undo the lower hose and hope to catch all the antifreeze in a tray? Or is there a better way?
 
There's no nice way...and don't even bother trying to catch the antifreeze. Ain't gonna happen. At least, it never does for me. Just pull 'er over the grass and let it gush...and hope the EPA black vans aren't patrolling.
 
And NO PETS!!! They love the sweet taste and it kills them.

I use a cardboard box knocked down flat with a large oil drain pan. Most of it hits in the pan while any spillage is soaked up by the cardboard.
 
Understand that the newer anti freeze is no longer loved by pets. Thank goodness.
 
I brazed a drain valve into my radiator. Works great.

I can't remember where I bought my hoses, but it was either VB or Moss. I bought them about 2 years ago and they already look like they are 20 years old. Just FYI.
 
Folks,

Many thanks for the info.
I was hoping to save the antifreeze (and just add a bottle of that water pump lubricant stuff you can buy at FLAPS)
Guess I'll just get a fresh jug of antifreeze (is it just me being a geezer or is that stuff gone expensive, or what).

As far as the hoses, I remember an old-timer trick of wrapping the new hose with electrical tape - supposedly extends the life of the hose - like Morris says, they don't last too long otherwise. Course the problem with the tape is that you can't see 'em when they start cracking and leaking, ha!

Cheers!
 
bthompson said:
There's no nice way...and don't even bother trying to catch the antifreeze. Ain't gonna happen. At least, it never does for me. Just pull 'er over the grass and let it gush...and hope the EPA black vans aren't patrolling.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that most of us here are astute enough NOT to take the above advice. The stuff in your radiator/oil pan is potentially toxic and when you pour it into the "grass" it goes YOUR community's ground water (e.g., your kids and neighbors drink it eventually). Same for waste oil, used pesticides, etc.a Dispose of it responsibly.

Sorry, but that suggestion is just plain bad for the environment (actually, YOUR environment). :yesnod:

Back to my hole now . . .
 
That's right and it's another reason to try and save your antifreeze - if I manage to do so, can I just add a bottle of that white stuff called "water pump lubricant", or something the other? I mean, does it contain enough of the anticorrosion agents? Anybody know?

Cheers
 
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