The Ford Barn

JimK1930A · 05-25-2016, 09:17 PM

What is the life expectancy of the radiator hoses on a Model A?
Mine were installed 14 years ago and have almost 6,000 miles on them.

RonC · 05-25-2016, 09:40 PM

If they are not leaking they are fine

LukeCutler · 05-25-2016, 09:42 PM

I'm not an expert on Model A's, as I just recently built mine, but my 61 Chevy pickup still has the radiator hoses that I put on it when I started driving it on high school in 1995.

I drive it almost daily in the spring summer and fall, and it has a pressurized radiator, unlike a model A, that is non pressurized.

I check them every time I change the oil, they are still in good shape, not too brittle, not too soft and squishy. I figure I will run them till they either get brittle or squishy, then I will replace them.

mike657894 · 05-25-2016, 09:46 PM

the modern rubber ones last 20 years. but i think the A style are better. Mine are at least 40 years old and they look just fine. its always sat with antifreeze in it.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 05-26-2016, 06:16 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike657894

the modern rubber ones last 20 years. but i think the A style are better. Mine are at least 40 years old and they look just fine. its always sat with antifreeze in it.

Do you suppose that probably has more to do with them being manufactured of natural rubber?

05-25-2016, 09:17 PM	#1
JimK1930A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 178	Radiator Hoses What is the life expectancy of the radiator hoses on a Model A? Mine were installed 14 years ago and have almost 6,000 miles on them.

05-25-2016, 09:40 PM	#2
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Radiator Hoses If they are not leaking they are fine

05-25-2016, 09:42 PM	#3
LukeCutler Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Columbus Junction Ia. Posts: 61	Re: Radiator Hoses I'm not an expert on Model A's, as I just recently built mine, but my 61 Chevy pickup still has the radiator hoses that I put on it when I started driving it on high school in 1995. I drive it almost daily in the spring summer and fall, and it has a pressurized radiator, unlike a model A, that is non pressurized. I check them every time I change the oil, they are still in good shape, not too brittle, not too soft and squishy. I figure I will run them till they either get brittle or squishy, then I will replace them. __________________ Luke

05-25-2016, 09:46 PM	#4
mike657894 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay City Michigan Posts: 1,050	Re: Radiator Hoses the modern rubber ones last 20 years. but i think the A style are better. Mine are at least 40 years old and they look just fine. its always sat with antifreeze in it.