Cool-flex hoses

Anyone running Cool-flex radiator hoses? Are there really any mechanical/flow/heat advantages or do they just look shiny? I'm going to be up near their factory soon and am tempted go get some since my engine is exposed to view but it seems like a bit of an expense if all they do is look good.Thanks.

 

I don't know if there's any real benefit from a heat dissipation standpoint, but aesthetically, they just look plain "wrong" on a traditional car. Since they are not cheap, be certain you will be happy with their appearance (especially on an exposed engine). Otherwise, you end up with an expensive, really funky looking paperweight. I have one of these paperweights for sale if anyone is interested.

-murph

 

The only thing they do is look good. . . and they don't even look good.

 

What he said, they***** and look*****y. Did I mention they*****?

 

i agree , they do not look good

 

A friend stopped by to ask for help firing his new sbc in his 54 chevy truck.
Went over and found his distributor 180* out and got it fired right up.
After 10-15 minutes run time I lean over the tire to put the timing light on it
(no front sheetmetal) and that stupid "cool" hose blew off. Two things,one
he didn't have the clamp "tight enough" Two that f---ing rubber band
looking adapter bushing sure made it easier for that hose to come off
as it was larger than the barb on the water neck. 1st and 2nd degree burns
from my shirt sleeve to my fingertips,swelled up like a fricken cartoon.
F that one size fits all BS.


Been lurking here for a while and this post made me step-up and register,
I'll do a proper intro as soon as I figure out how to post some pics.

 

Sorry to hear your woes, I mean that, burns*****.

But, if the clamps are tight, the hoses wont blow off. I made my upper hose out of stainless tube, no bead on the ends, it seals fine with rubber connectors.

My problem with Colflex and their copies (and yes we sell them at the shop) is that they look like cheap flexpipe JC Whitney sold in the 60s for exhaust!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would rather se a nice molded rubber hose with the clamps "timed" the same OR like I did, a tubing connection with well-detailed ends.

Coolflex is for the checkbook rodders with no taste or style.

 

Definitely not the right look for traditional type rods or customs.

The other problem that arises from the corregated hose they use is cavitation of the coolant, which can cause overheating issues.

 

I would rather se a nice molded rubber hose with the clamps "timed" the same OR like I did, a tubing connection with well-detailed ends.

Coolflex is for the checkbook rodders with no taste or style.[/QUOTE]

tMAN-must have on my dunce cap today-could you describe this a bit more thoroughly or post a pic? Thanks.

 

I used one for the lower hose on my 56. I would have preferred a molded rubber hose, but can't find one. Im running a 351W with a chevy PS pump, so "normal" factory parts don't work.

 

I've had one on my 34 for 7 or 8 years without any problems. Motor runs cool and it's never blown off. Not eveyone's taste but yours is all that matters.

 

tMAN-must have on my dunce cap today-could you describe this a bit more thoroughly or post a pic? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

"timing" means you line up the screws on the clamps all the same. Just a little detail that adds to a clean well-tought-out look. Here is my upper "hose". It is made out of scrap stainless.



Also, You can get a picture book from say, Carquest that lets you pic out rubber hoses by dimension and shape.

 

Thanks for the photo. I always line up my screw slots-thought I was just***** about it-sometimes only God and I will know those babies are even,but I sleep better withthe knowledge that there is still order somewhere in the universe.

 

That too, yes.

 

Unless your building a billet****-mobile, stay away from those things!

 

I put some on a customers car for him-[his idea]- I thought that they looked like you raided the bathroom supply department at the hardware store.....

 

The nice thing is we don't all have to agree. They reminded me of the ribbed aluminum upper radiator pipes used in the 50's They weren't chromed but they were ribbed.

 

I gotta agree, i don't care for 'em.
I used those hoses on a guy's '33 plymouth and although he thought they were just great, i hated them.
I personally couldn't see the point in spending the money for convoluted pipes..
they seem like overpriced universal rubber hoses, except the hoses don't ussualy leak.

I have spent a lot of time in the hose are of the local auto supply checking molded hoses for the right bends with my brake line template's..
I've also used 1.5" stainless pipe as upper hoses as well. Using just rubber at the ends and polishing the pipe.
And of course, 'clocking' the hose clamps.
For some reason, i hate it when the're all mismatched, especially on a open engine.

 

Like the******* said, "Just show me the rubber, nothing else".

 

Hey Tommy, They really do look old timey and neat the way you used the rubber hoses without covers!! Lookin good!!

With the covers that come with them they just fit in with other billet stuff and not trad rods and customs me thinks.