Lower radiator hose spring - UPDATE

[bull]

Been doing some research on the site about trouble finding lower radiator hoses with the proper springs inside to prevent collapsing. Not sure how I worked my way into finding this one but it's a very good deal on a stainless spring from CJ Pony Parts (yes, Mustang). It was only $6.15 with free shipping and no minimum order so I took a gamble and bought one.

I'll give you guys a review once it arrives.

http://www.cjponyparts.com/LOWER-RADIATOR-HOSE-SPRING-STAINLESS-STEEL-BIG-BLOCK-1965-1973/p/HW770/

[Chryco Psycho]

bend up a coat hanger !!

[bull]

bend up a coat hanger !!

Yea, I know, but for $6 in stainless? Why not?

[myk]

Wait...Are we still supposed to be placing springs inside of the hoses?  I was told that newer hoses are more firm, won't collapse and don't need the spring, which is why the hoses at the parts stores don't have the springs inside of them.  I recently changed my lower hose without the spring based on what Vato-Zone told me...  

[terrible one]

Wait...Are we still supposed to be placing springs inside of the hoses?  I was told that newer hoses are more firm, won't collapse and don't need the spring, which is why the hoses at the parts stores don't have the springs inside of them.  I recently changed my lower hose without the spring based on what Vato-Zone told me...  

In my opinion, the spring isn't necessary. I don't run one in mine and when up to temp don't notice any hose collapse, plus it never comes close to overheating so I don't see a need to look back. From what I have been told they were used at the factory to prevent collapse while they filled the new cars coolant system from empty, because they used some kind of vacuum in the process to make sure there wasn't air in the system, or something along those lines, but who knows?  

What I do know is that, when up to temperature, a properly operating cooling system is PRESSURIZED, so there is no way the hose is going to collapse. Sometimes they will collapse when the engine is cold and the cooling system isn't pressurized yet, but that restriction in flow will only help the engine come up to temp faster.  

[Cooter]

Only thing I've personally seen that requires the lower radiator spring be installed is when the car cools off, a vacuum is formed in the cooling system and when that happens to draw coolant back in from the "Puke tank", it can't due to the lower hose being calapsed. Other than that, it isn't needed on ALL cars.

[A383Wing]

no springs in any of my hoses on any of my cars..no issues either

Bryan

[redmist]

http://youtu.be/gw0FXe_I-wM

Watch the hose on my Dyno run. Notice where it is doing what it is doing.

I run a spring now.   

[bull]

 

[bull]

http://youtu.be/gw0FXe_I-wM

Watch the hose on my Dyno run. Notice where it is doing what it is doing.

I run a spring now.   

Yikes. Well, you still had maybe 5% flow there at the end of the rev so it's not all bad. Seriously though, that can't be too good for an engine if it happens frequently.

[bull]

So I got the spring and I got a lower hose and there's good news and bad.

Good news is the spring looks like it will work great. Bad news is it looks like I'm going to need two of them because it's too short.

[b5blue]

Cheap insurance!    I'm ordering 2 also!   

[4cruzin]

I bought the mustang spring for the 440 but ended up buying another as 1 just seemed not big enough.     both fit in the hose just fine. 

[Budnicks]

Always used springs in rad hoses, I've seen a quite few hoses collapsed, top &/or bottom, after making 1/4 mile passes,  it's cheap insurance to make sure your high dollar engine, isn't starved for water ever, that video shows it perfectly...

[y3chargerrt]

I may be wrong but i think the small blcok Ford springs are longer then the big block ones.

[tan top]

Always used springs in rad hoses, I've seen a quite few hoses collapsed, top &/or bottom, after making 1/4 mile passes,  it's cheap insurance to make sure your high dollar engine, isn't starved for water ever, that video shows it perfectly...

yep , got to have a spring , the suction  created by the pump at moderate to high rpm will  collapse the bottom hose ,

now those gentric / universal ribbed bend anywhich way hoses , prolly dont need one as the strength is there , in the ribbed design

[Budnicks]

Always used springs in rad hoses, I've seen a quite few hoses collapsed, top &/or bottom, after making 1/4 mile passes,  it's cheap insurance to make sure your high dollar engine, isn't starved for water ever, that video shows it perfectly...

yep , got to have a spring , the suction  created by the pump at moderate to high rpm will  collapse the bottom hose ,

now those gentric / universal ribbed bend anywhich way hoses , prolly dont need one as the strength it there , in the ribbed design

Seen those ribbed ones with out the wire collapse too...

[tan top]

Always used springs in rad hoses, I've seen a quite few hoses collapsed, top &/or bottom, after making 1/4 mile passes,  it's cheap insurance to make sure your high dollar engine, isn't starved for water ever, that video shows it perfectly...

yep , got to have a spring , the suction  created by the pump at moderate to high rpm will  collapse the bottom hose ,

now those gentric / universal ribbed bend anywhich way hoses , prolly dont need one as the strength it there , in the ribbed design

Seen those ribbed ones with out the wire collapse too...

wow thats amazing , thanks for sharing the info
the factory knew what they were doing , then with fitting the spring !! 

ignore what i typed in my last post about the ribbed hoses 

[Fred]

 I fitted one as well................I wouldn't drive without.    It's peace of mind.

[gtx6970]

This is my opinion and nothing more

Springs in hoses should not be needed IF the cooling system is operating as it's designed.

If the inlet hose ( lower) collapses then it's a sign either
A- the water pump is pulling more collant than it needs
or
B - the radiator can't flow what the pump is capable of pulling

C - a combination of the 2

Btw, I have never run a  spring in any of my cars in the past 30 plus years

[maxwellwedge]

I fitted one as well................I wouldn't drive without.    It's peace of mind.

What's that Fred - A Ribbed Hose?   

[FLG]

Curtis how short is it? worked fine on my 73 (heck you should have posted up a wanted thread as im pretty sure i have a OE one i could've just sent you!)

If you didnt order a second one yet...wait!, i might have one i can check later.

[Fred]

I fitted one as well................I wouldn't drive without.    It's peace of mind.

What's that Fred - A Ribbed Hose?    

No........... a Mopar after market smooth lower radiator hose for a big block.................
Fitted the spring myself. Mine's brass, took it out of an old hose I had laying around.

[Fred]

I fitted one as well................I wouldn't drive without.    It's peace of mind.

What's that Fred - A Ribbed Hose?    

[A383Wing]

This is my opinion and nothing more

Springs in hoses should not be needed IF the cooling system is operating as it's designed.

If the inlet hose ( lower) collapses then it's a sign either
A- the water pump is pulling more collant than it needs
or
B - the radiator can't flow what the pump is capable of pulling

C - a combination of the 2

Btw, I have never run a  spring in any of my cars in the past 30 plus years

same here..agree totally...I have never run a spring in any of my cars

Bryan