Kinky

[Bitch'nBronco]

Are the silicone heater hoses worth the extra $? My heater hoses are 4 years old, they're just generic parts store rubber hoses (not molded) and I've noticed that they are getting kinks in them. I'm sure its because they're older now, but driving the bronco around in 19* weather has encouraged me to change them sooner than later lol.

 

[ntsqd]

Are you going to buy a name brand like Pur-o-Sil or go with whatever off of amazon?

The hose clamps matter, I would only use ABA all SS clamps on silicone hose. Almost anything else will cut or extrude the hoses.

My preference is to use hose for short couplers and run SS tubing in between the couplers instead of long runs of hose. I didn't use silicone hose, but this is how I did that on the Valiant:

I need to make some dies with a smaller bend radius for the next project. Then those hoses at the engine could have been shorter.

 

[DirtDonk]

I like your little stand-off rod with the clamps. But I’m curious why you didn’t mount the tubes directly to the wheel well.

 

[ntsqd]

The shape of the inner fender is complex and deceiving. I wanted to do exactly that, but I couldn't bend the tubing to allow that. A tighter bend radius would have helped.

 

[73azbronco]

if its an oem fit, I'd go with whatever napa has. If you want to make a custom fit, them silicone is better, and get the right clamps

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

It's an OEM fit, I was going to go with the silicone kit from Toms.

 

[ntsqd]

Looks like a decent kit. Be nice to hear from some long term users of it.

Their clamps are nice looking, but they're missing what I consider to be a critical feature. Look at these clamps and notice how the edges of the band are slightly bent out. That helps keep the clamp from biting into the hose and cutting it.

 

[ssgzag]

https://www.siliconehose.com/

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

I wonder why they went with rolled edges

 

[ntsqd]

Creates a larger radius at the edge, so less sharp to cut into the hose. What else might they have done?

 

[Brush Hog]

I’ve been using the Tom’s silicone radiator and heater hose kits for several years now. No problems at all. Still look feel and function like new. I do notice that every few months the clamps need to be tightened. Not sure if that is a function of the silicone, the clamps or just normal. They don’t get fall off loose but can get a few more turns on bolt to snug them up.

 

[ntsqd]

I suspect that you're seeing the hose slowly cold-flowing out from under the clamps. If you don't tighten them do they eventually start to leak? If not, I'd stop tightening them.

 

[bmc69]

I've only used the silicon radiator hose...up to 6" diameter on some boat projects...and really like the stuff. I've pretty much stopped using the worm clamps wherever I can and use these band style instead. I think they look "neater" too. The ones on the radiator hoses on my '69 EB will get swapped out for the band style.

 

[bmc69]

Looks like a decent kit. Be nice to hear from some long term users of it.

Their clamps are nice looking, but they're missing what I consider to be a critical feature. Look at these clamps and notice how the edges of the band are slightly bent out. That helps keep the clamp from biting into the hose and cutting it.

Those ARE good clamps.

 

[Brush Hog]

I suspect that you're seeing the hose slowly cold-flowing out from under the clamps. If you don't tighten them do they eventually start to leak? If not, I'd stop tightening them.

I have had some small leaks that’s what usually causes me to check the clamps. I won’t tighten any more that aren’t leaking.

 

[ntsqd]

That is the advantage of using the spring loaded clamps over a worm-drive or direct-drive t-bolt clamps, the thermal expansion in use is allowed for where the static clamps get tighter when things expand and flow the hose out from under the clamp. Using those isn't a trivial expense.......