quality radiator hoses

[FrankWest]

I have a new recently installed top radiator hose on My 1933 model B which I bought from MAC's crack! Who sells quality hoses? It is the red stripped type or should I just buy a comparable hose, without the red strip from a auto parts dealer to assure that the hose is good? Wondering if these reproduction hoses are just for show and not really for driving? A shame if that is true!

[Charlie Stephens]

Be sure to call MAC's and complain. Tell them you posted the problem on the internet. Ask for a replacement plus shipping. If we don't give feedback to the vendors we will keep getting junk.

Charlie Stephens

[FrankWest]

Thanks...
I called them to complain and they are sending a replacement. I get a free replacement, maybe I just happened to get a bad one??? They said they had no record of complaints about the hoses? Maybe nobody complained even though they had a problem. Thanks Charlie for telling me to complain..You are very right that we have to keep these guys informed of the problems with their stuff, otherwise in the long run we will all suffer! Thanks again.
Do you think there is a difference in the quality of hoses between them and Bob Drakes
stuff? Drake has some real quality stuff...I try to buy all my stuff from them, now that I know better.

[Barry-ct]

Alot is just made by one of the vendor's sub contractors (China ) and just has a particular vendors label stuck over the original packaging. They sell to each other at the wholesale level. Best to complain if something is sub standard. They all say you're the first complaint, but you know that is BS!

[Lawson Cox]

Buy hose from NAPA and paint the stripe yourself.

[FrankWest]

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Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Buy hose from NAPA and paint the stripe yourself.

Great idea! I wonder how many poor souls broke down along roads because they used these sub standard "show" hoses! The NAPA idea sounds wonderful, then at least I will get sound usable hoses.

[35ragtop]

It could be just the recent batch as I have driven 6000 miles over the last 4 years with those sold by Macs (and have them off at present) but they still look ok to me.
Dave h

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Buy hose from NAPA and paint the stripe yourself.

This is what I ended up having to do except I elected to not "paint the stripe". The Vintique hoses I bought were too stiff/brittle to use. The hoses from NAPA are excellent quality....

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

This is what I ended up having to do except I elected to not "paint the stripe". The Vintique hoses I bought were too stiff/brittle to use. The hoses from NAPA are excellent quality....

Sounds good! After I recieve my replacement hose from MAC's I will bring it to NAPA. Will they be able to find one of similar size?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Sounds good! After I recieve my replacement hose from MAC's I will bring it to NAPA. Will they be able to find one of similar size?

I bought a length of 'bulk' hose from NAPA and cut lengths to fit using the Vintique hose as a template....Do take your hose from Mac's to NAPA for correct diameter....

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Thanks...
I called them to complain and they are sending a replacement. I get a free replacement, maybe I just happened to get a bad one??? They said they had no record of complaints about the hoses? Maybe nobody complained even though they had a problem. Thanks Charlie for telling me to complain..You are very right that we have to keep these guys informed of the problems with their stuff, otherwise in the long run we will all suffer! Thanks again.
Do you think there is a difference in the quality of hoses between them and Bob Drakes
stuff? Drake has some real quality stuff...I try to buy all my stuff from them, now that I know better.

I'm guessing that replacement coming will likely not be any better than the one that cracked. I have some bulk 3' lengths of radiator hose of the correct diameter for my '35's that came from an old garage years ago when they closed their doors and got rid of everything. Not sure who made it but I am sure the company was not located in China. It has the looks and feel of quality, and has been used on my cars with no problems. No red stripe, but then who really needs that on a driver that will never be a show queen. Do as suggested, and see what NAPA carries. It may even have "Made in USA" imprinted

[39portlander]

I had this similar problem with my lower hoses and replaced them with new Gates pieces, not really worried about the stripe. My truck only has 20 miles on it and mostly sits as I slowly put it together.

I would not get another hose from the same source, it's gonna crack again silly.

[Ken Bull]

Gee, I got my Hose set from Mac's in 2011 and to date and 2000+ miles later OK. The Red stripe looks nice at Shows! Not sure a painted stripe would hold up?

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by 39portlander

I had this similar problem with my lower hoses and replaced them with new Gates pieces, not really worried about the stripe. My truck only has 20 miles on it and mostly sits as I slowly put it together.

I would not get another hose from the same source, it's gonna crack again silly.

I don't plan on using the Crappy Mac's hose but called to complain and they said they would send me another. I will bring it to the NAPA store get a sound one with the proper diameter. I still have the two lower hoses in place.
It burns me up that they sell these "SHOW" hoses at all. It is such a stupid thing to make and sell a poor quality item that can cause so much trouble.

[35fordtn]

FYI the hoses mac's sells with the red stripe are made by vintique.

[Ken Crans]

McMaster-Carr has bulk hose that i cut myself,with yellow or red stripe.

[FrankWest]

This morning I went to NAPA bought a 3 foot section of hose, that the man told me was quality made by GATES. The smallest section they sell cost 45$. The hose marked Made In Mexico!
What the heck is going on, Isn't anything made in the USA anymore.
Hasta La Vista, Baby!

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

This morning I went to NAPA bought a 3 foot section of hose, that the man told me was quality made by GATES. The smallest section they sell cost 45$. The hose marked Made In Mexico!
What the heck is going on, Isn't anything made in the USA anymore.

Unfortunately, not much at all Frank, unless you consider baby making,....but then hold on to your hat and hang in there, ... that is also being out sourced to off shore concerns now as well

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

Unfortunately, not much at all Frank, unless you consider baby making,....but then hold on to your hat and hang in there, ... that is also being out sourced to off shore concerns now as well

Like that one!

[FrankWest]

I Spoke with Bob Drake this morning about his radiator hoses.
They are very careful to specify the materials but there hoses are made in Taiwan.

[moefuzz]

Buying from auto parts stores is getting to be very miss and not so much hit.

The best hose you can buy right now is from a marine supply.
Your local boat dealer stocks the highest grade true Gates hose available.

After all, when you have a leak on land Napa or Mac's don't give a fakk,
In fact, they are probably happy to sell you more....
But if you have a leak on water, the EPA gets involved.
Local Marine Supply does not wish to have the EPA on their
proverbials just because you pointed the finger at them for selling fake Gates houses.
-It aint gonna happen.`
Local Marine Supply

.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by moefuzz

Buying from auto parts stores is getting to be very miss and not so much hit.

The best hose you can buy right now is from a marine supply.
Your local boat dealer stocks the highest grade true Gates hose available.

After all, when you have a leak on land Napa or Mac's don't give a fakk,
In fact, they are probably happy to sell you more....
But if you have a leak on water, the EPA gets involved.
Local Marine Supply does not wish to have the EPA on their
proverbials just because you pointed the finger at them for selling fake Gates houses.
-It aint gonna happen.`
Local Marine Supply

.

Get info..Thank you so much..

[paul2748]

I'd take Taiwan or Mexico any day over China

[FrankWest]

Drake usually has quality stuff...

I recieved the replace hose from MAC's today.
It is a hose made by vintque ..
I ordered the new hoses from Bob Drake and returned the NAPA Mexican made hose yesterday.
What a pain!

[FrankWest]

The continuing saga of radiator hose problems.... Not really a bid deal but just shows you you can't count on any ONE vendor.
Received my radiator hose kit from Bob Drake today. The wouldn't sell just a hose. One of the radiator clamp nuts was missing! They cam in a sealed packed of hose clamps. I guess quality control in Taiwan is out of wack. Also the clamps don't look plated with Zinc or Cadmium?
The Guy at bob drake said they are plated with Zinc. They don't look like it.
My old clamps from MAC's were High end? Plated with Cadmium as originals?

[35fordtn]

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To my Knowledge Drake's hoses and clamps are Vintique as well just the same as Mac's and anywhere else.

[Mark's 37]

I just put lower radiator hoses on my 37 from C and G. They are Vintique brand. Very stiff. I trimmed about 1/2" from one end of each and lifted the engine up about 2 inches. Then put the hoses in boiling water for a few minutes to soften and make them bendable. Greased the inner ends and put them in place so the water pump end of the hose was just over the lip and slowly lowered the engine.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

To my Knowledge Drake's hoses and clamps are Vintique as well just the same as Mac's and anywhere else.

Bad news!

[35fordtn]

As Mark stated I have always used Vintique's since they are the hoses everyone sells. If they are stiff I do as he did and put them in boiling water just before installing. It really makes the installation a lot easier. I also put a dab of RTV in the ends as the repro clamps do not always tighten enough to completely on cast surfaces. Funny thing is since they all sell the same hoses it is very easy to see which companies have the highest % markup.

[mike in tucson]

As Pogo (in the cartoon strip) said, "I have met the enemy and he is us!" IF Americans would quit buying on price and buy on quality, the Chinese and other low quality vendors would go away. Our quality American suppliers couldn't compete because of the foreign junk being imported so they closed shop. Quality materials cost more than cheap, inferior materials and the Chinese are experts at making the copied part "look" the same as a real Ford original. There needs to be an organized effort to say "hell no!" to the junk parts suppliers.....but "we" is weak with our wallets.

[CarlG]

Ever since I started using this style clamps, I have had no leaks.

[Royal Ryser]

I was disappointed that the new Gates fan belt I bought last week was made in Mexico. It was too short (nobody's fault) so I went back and replaced it with a belt one inch longer. It is a NAPA belt and, guess what, made in Mexico. Both from the NAPA shop.
Oh, well.

[CarlG]

Gates makes all the NAPA branded belts.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by Ken Bull

Gee, I got my Hose set from Mac's in 2011 and to date and 2000+ miles later OK. The Red stripe looks nice at Shows! Not sure a painted stripe would hold up?

ThaT IS true. These strips are molded in. Maybe I just got a bad one?

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

As Mark stated I have always used Vintique's since they are the hoses everyone sells. If they are stiff I do as he did and put them in boiling water just before installing. It really makes the installation a lot easier. I also put a dab of RTV in the ends as the repro clamps do not always tighten enough to completely on cast surfaces. Funny thing is since they all sell the same hoses it is very easy to see which companies have the highest % markup.

good advice. Anyway, I don;t plan on any long distant trips to Chicago, but only local driving