I'm noticing that the new lower radiator hoses available thru most parts houses do not have the anti-collapsing spring in them anymore? Is the intent to use the spring from your old hose or is the spring no longer really needed? What would cause the lower hose to collapse anyway?

Maybe the newer hoses are thicker/stronger and won't suck shut?

resistance to flow is what causes them to collapse. suction from the water pump pulling them closed. Not really sure why it happens myself...it's a closed system, you'd think the suction on one side which creates pressure on the other side...would make for flow.

old weak rubber is why they collapes,the spring will make a hose last much longer

the newer hose is made of a stronger rubber compound,it will break down in time/use also.

its a way of selling more hoses with out the spring

the best thing i have used is some SS welding rod,coil it around a pvc pipe the right size and stick it in the hose,trim to fit

I have dug pieces of rusted steel wire out of wp impellers that eat a groove into the t-cover and leak water into the crankcase

its a ez thing to add to rule out one of the many overheating problems one can have,you know its not sucking flat while you test drive.

when you can see it with the hood up just reving the engine,it should have been change a long time ago before you ever saw it collapes

Depending on who you ask, you'll get different answers as to whether one is needed or not.

In theory, in a properly working system, you shouldn't need the spring. By that same theory, if you need a spring, your system isn't working. But, add a spring and many cooling issues have been resolved. I recall a thread with many responses for both sides.

That being said, I have a spring in my hose.

yep..deff one of those members bashing members kinda debates on the lower rad hose spring

I started adding my own when they stoped selling them with one

I dont mind those who dont either

what?! you're flat out wrong!!! if it came from the factory, it's good enough!!


oh.. wait...

I always loved those answers "Ma knows best" which seems to always pop up on cooling systems, whether it's asking about what stat to use, whether to drill it or not, or even to have one at all...to e-fans vs mechanical flex blades to clutch fans...radiator hose springs...coolant mixtures....

sure, stock worked great when the engine was...uh...stock. but all that kinda goes out the window when you're talking about an aluminum headed, high compression, stroker!



bottom line, the spring or no spring is just one more thing to check when you're having cooling problems. on a brand new hose, you probably don't need it. but 5 years from now when you start overheating on the highway...add a spring before you do anything else, including post a question here! if the spring works, then you know that you needed one. if the spring does not fix the problem, then you didn't need one!

If you add one get a stick of something non ferrous from a welding shop and turn the ends inward toward the center