Engine coolant lines

[rodster]

Going through some documentation, I saw a few pictures of engines with black coolant lines. Did the lines come painted black or were the pictures just cleaned up promo photos?

[MikeFleming]

The non-water-cooled tunes were all bright cad plated, silver looking before they rust. The water-cooled turbo lines are all semi-gloss or gloss black from the factory, also until they rust.

So early, under exhaust manifold versions are bright cad; later are painted black.

[rodster]

Ahhhh so rust isn't original... ;) Didn't think they were painted black since I didn't even see any signs of remaining paint.

Thanks! :like2:

[Kendal Coker]

Here is a pic of a pretty original 84. You can see both coolant lines go under the turbo on the 84 and early 85.

[rodster]

Great picture! The lines look better plated. ;) Thanks.


Just curious, looks like the highlighted hose clamp is a plain one, not rubber coated? The reason I ask is mine is a plain one and I assumed it might be wrong since all of the others are rubber coated. I think in a box of goodies I may have a spare (original?) one.

During my 84 'refresh' I want to replace the hoses and clamps and will make sure the top hose is a bit longer since the original seemed to barely fit over the rib.

[MikeFleming]

Iirc some of those charge cooler hoses had sleeves glued to the hose and a broight metal clamp inside it. The clamp slides freely inside the sleeve - similar to using slightly oversized heat-shrink tubing.

[rodster]

Yea, 3 of 4 of my hoses are as you describe but the one highlighted doesn't look like it has the sleeve, oddly, like mine. Perhaps 2 wrongs don't make a right. :confused:

Any suggestions on type of hose and clamps to upgrade with?

[MikeFleming]

Get a reinforced silicone hose about 3" in total length. One in 2.0" ID, other in 2.5" ID and trim to fit. In black, so it doesn't stand out too much as it will not be original (save the original ones for shows).

Get new narrow clamps.

[rodster]

Thanks!

(But I wanted yellow hoses!) :D -not-

[MikeFleming]

(But I wanted yellow hoses!) :D -not- Yellow or spotted ("Go mix up a batch of spotted paint!" Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.)

Most of the assorted SEM trim paints will be flexible enough to spray onto hoses and it won't flake off. However - getting paint to stick to silicone - that's another story.

[rodster]

Here is a line off of my 83TC. This line would have been straight from the factory no? I'm thinking it must have got beat up by the PO!

Not a good example to have a new line made! :(

[MikeFleming]

No, the two tubes under the exhaust manifold were not straight. There were two places, iirc, that the lines were clamped (supported) to the block under the exhaust. But I've slept since then.

[rodster]

wow....straight would have been easier, typical Ford. :( I have a clamp that goes around 2 lines but don't think it's connected to the block under the exhaust manifold. One connection to the block between the block and firewall.

[ccmcelroy]

Anyone know where to get new stainless coolant lines or is anyone working on finding someone to offer this again since Forced4 went out of business?
Any help would be appreciated,
Chad McElroy

[rodster]

Anyone know where to get new stainless coolant lines or is anyone working on finding someone to offer this again since Forced4 went out of business?
Any help would be appreciated,
Chad McElroy

There is some work being done behind the scenes (see thread below) but don't know the status?

http://www.svocop.com/forum/showthread.php?948-NOS-or-Stainless-steel-coolant-lines