Section : Cooling

New bottom hose? 

Posted By : Martin Bryant, 30-May-2005, 06:32pm

• New bottom hose? 

  Posted By : Martin Bryant, 30-May-2005, 07:29pm

  Hi, I would like some advice on raditaor hoses, or to be more specific, the bottom radiator hose.
  
  I bought a new hose kit ages ago, from Rimmer's, when I bought my Spitfire in 2003.
  
  I have just got around to using it after fitting a new radiator from Moss. The thing is, the bottom hose pushes hard against the engine mount. I have tried it ever which way, but soon enough, it is going to fail because of this, it also doesn't seem long enough.
  
  Has anyone else had a similar problem? I haven't got my Moss catalogue to hand, but will call them on Tuesday to see if they do a hose for their radiator, which must be designed to fit other cars (I think) and probably isn't Spitfire specific.
  
  Is their any other supplier which may be a better bet?
  
  Thanks
  
  Martin

  • New bottom hose? 

    Posted By : Colin Lindsay, 30-May-2005, 10:22pm

    Assuming the rad is fitted as it should be and the bottom hose is fitted as tight as it will go on both pipes, is it still too long? I have at least three new ones sitting on a shelf in the garage and they're all different lengths. Try trimming about half an inch off the end of the one you have, probably at the radiator end, and refit.

    • New bottom hose? 

      Posted By : Martin Bryant, 31-May-2005, 10:34am

      Hi Colin
      
      I have a picture somewhere of this problem, I'll have to try and find it.
      
      The hose does not seem long enough, not that it is too long.
      
      
      Martin

      • New bottom hose? 

        Posted By : Martin Bryant, 01-Jun-2005, 05:30pm

        Hi
        
        I have taken some pictures and placed them in one of my albums here: http://www.tssc.org.uk/profile.asp?profile=71257&v...
        
        Here is a direct link to one of them:
        http://www.tssc.org.uk/image.pl?file=../data/uploa...

        • New bottom hose? 

          Posted By : Chris Taylor, 02-Jun-2005, 01:32pm

          It's a bit difficult to be sure from just photos, but I would think that you ought to be able to fit the hose onto the radiator pipe a little further forwards. ie push it further onto the pipe stub, thus moving the curve of the hose a little further forward. If that is not possible, can you push the hose a little further UP the water pump end which might achieve a little clearance?
          I'm not absolutely sure but you may find there is a little scope for adjustment in the engine mounting itself, even if that means moving the engine itself fractionally further forward.
          If all else fails and you cannot find a better fitting hose, I suggest you tape a piece of suitably curved thin metal plate (even a portion of fizzy drinks can would probably do, although ideally a bit thicker) to the HOSE as this will prevent any chafing from damaging the hose. The tape might need changing from time to time, but this should be very obvious long before there is any risk of wearing through the hose.

          • New bottom hose? 

            Posted By : Martin Bryant, 03-Jun-2005, 10:11am

            Hi Chris,
            
            Thats an excellent idea about the metal from a fizzy drinks can
            
            I have tried the hose further on the radiator and then again further on the water pump without much improvement.
            
            I have ordered a new one from Moss and it is a bit longer than the one from Rimmer's, so I will fit that, with some metal around it as you have suggested.
            
            I didn't think any adjusment would be possible concerning the engine mount, I will have a look at that.
            
            Cheers Chris!
            
            Martin

            • New bottom hose? 

              Posted By : Ian Osprey, 03-Jun-2005, 12:07pm

              ..... or will the radiator move forward? Either the radiator in the frame, or the frame itself?

              • New bottom hose? 

                Posted By : Andrew Hamilton, 04-Jun-2005, 03:04pm

                I've just been browsing through the latest postings and came across this string. Thought I'd check my bottom hose, and I'm a bit put out to see that it's resting fairly firmly against the engine mount, which has just started to mark the hose. I'll get a bit of spare hose or a bit of metal drinks can and remedy this situation before I head off to France for Le Mans next week! Thanks guys!

            • New bottom hose? 

              Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 03-Jun-2005, 03:16pm

              Martin,
              
              You could of course try moving the engine mount to mount inside the turret instead of on the front. This, of course, isn't the way it's supposed to be and the adjustment on the engine front plate may not allow enough room - but it's bound to be worth a try.
              
              If you do this, I'd recomend changing to the otherside to match too (if it works) so your engine still sits nicely in the middle.

              • New bottom hose? 

                Posted By : Martin Bryant, 14-Jun-2005, 01:43pm

                Got this sorted now. New bottom hose from Moss is a better fit.
                
                I also realised I could remount the radiator higher in the frame. When I replaced it early this year, I fitted the new one in the lowest possible position for some reason.
                
                Thanks for all the advice.
                
                
                Martin