Lower Radiator Hose Anti Collapse Spring.

[P W Allen CLC# 20193]

Does anybody know where I can get one of these? Mine has corroded and is unuseable. I know I can use one of those flexible ribbed type hoses that doesn't need one, but it is not correct for a 53, as they use formed hoses.

Paul

[Otto Skorzeny]

Believe it or not, some of those ribbed ones have a wire spring inside. I've purchased them before and just removed the spring and used it in my other hose.

[TJ Hopland]

Most current production hoses do not seem to require the spring.  Something to do with the material and molding process in theory makes them stiff enough to not need them.  I have not had any issues with any of the ones I have installed without the springs. 

[P W Allen CLC# 20193]

Thanks guys for the responses. Actually, when I changed the lower hose with a new one, I couldn't use the old one so I installed it without a spring. I've been watching it with no collapse problems yet. TJ, you may have something there. Thanks again.

Paul

[Glen]

There is nothing magical about that spring.  I’ve made my own using a heavy gauge wire wrapping it around a piece of pipe or some such then push it into the hose.  It does not have to be beautiful; nobody is going to see it.   You just need to make sure it is strong  enough to do its job and runs the full length of the hose. 

Glen

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Paul,

If it is going to collapse, then it will do it at high engine speeds, where the water pump is demanding a strong flow of coolant from the radiator.

The best material to construct a spring out of is a length of thin diameter Bronze Welding wire, and coiling it as previously suggested by Glen.

Don't forget to bend the ends a bit more, so that the sharp ends cannot piece the hose from the inside.

Bruce.