lower radiator hose.

I have 235 straight six in my 49 chevy truck. The 235 waterpump has a larger diameter hole then the radiator outlet. I bought the hose to fix that problem. The hose isn't very sturdy. When the engine is at runniing speed the lower hose collapses. The guy at NAPA says it could be the thermostat. I called about the radiator hose and there sending me a new hose. So to ask the question, does anybody have any ideas or suggestion on what to do?

Thanks for your help.

 

Usually there is a spring inside the lower hose to keep it from collapsing. Put your hand on the top of the radiator when the engine is warmed up. It should feel hot if the thermostat is opening.

 

A weak lower will collapse at speed causing overheating. You sure you have a lower or just one with the correct size ends? Can you get a wire coil in there, or one with the wire?

 

A pretty common problem without the spring in the hose. Probably have to find a new hose just to get the spring, but after that everything should be fine.

 

Need the spring, because the resistance of the vanes in radiator is like squeezing the bottom of a straw.
Sounds like your water pump is doin' its job!

 

The guy at NAPA said they don't put wire springs in the lower hoses anymore because the spring rots away. Then the pieces get stuck in the waterpump. He says they uses a stronger-tighter weave.

 

The spring idea sounds right. My concern is the follow of the water is in direction of the larger hole. The spring has nothing to stop it from going to the water pump.

 

Several things can cause a lower hose to collapse 1 the radiator may be dirty internally making excessive restriction. 2 you running a radiator pressure cap ? a pressurized system will help ,not over 7lbs with a stock radiator though.

 

That guy is an idiot. Check the Gates site.

 

The flex hose is different than what they are talking about. Some lower hoses have a spring that is a seperate part that just slides inside the hose.

 

My NAPA guy said the same thing. They are well trained.

 

Yea, right. Ha. There's been a rash of that lately, springs in radiator hoses rotting away and fuckin' up the water pumps. I hear about that all the time. It's even been on CNN. Ha. Bullshit.

He might sell hoses without springs, but that don't stop you from fixing it.
Tell him you don't need an education on how hoses are made, you want one with a spring in it because that's what you want. If he can't help you go someplace else.

If the hose is collapsing, a spring will help. Eh? It's a no-brainer. Find a spring that will fit in the hose you got..........

Maybe it’s something new at NAPA? I certainly hope not, have always liked them, but; If they don’t sell GATES hoses anymore, that’s too bad. I know they quit selling FRAM at this one store, when I asked for one, gave him the FRAM number, he brought me a NAPA brand and started giving me an education on why it was better. I said paint it orange and put that neat little black rough-grip stuff on it and I’ll buy it!