Radiator hose fabrication

[ironworks]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

NO... get your tubing to within about 1/2" of the connection point. There's really no pressure trying to blow the hose off... if you get close fit up. Also -- see my post to Lenie. You want to use a heavy gauge stainless so you don't deform the tube when using the hose clamp... etc. Don't use tinfoil grade.

Actually Greg there is 16 lbs of pressure and when the hose is wet it can push itself out. I know a guy who was badly burned by this. The Koolflex hose is even worse for this. Because of the contact surface area in the hose being less due to the shape of the stainless hose. The upper hose on a car is more likely to push out with the flow from the water pump. The bead on the hose is good insurance.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by ironworks

Actually Greg there is 16 lbs of pressure and when the hose is wet it can push itself out. I know a guy who was badly burned by this. The Koolflex hose is even worse for this. Because of the contact surface area in the hose being less due to the shape of the stainless hose. The lower hose on a car is more likely to push out with the flow from the water pump. The bead on the hose is good insurance.

True enough.... and it certainly doesn't hurt to add a little "insurance" by adding some type of a bead. I've personally never had an issue. But that doesn't mean it can't happen.

NED -- A guy could just add a bead made from SS fill rod... bent around near the end of the tube and tacked carefully alternating sides every 1/4" or so.... crude but doable for the home builder.

Typical SBC (I know Ned is MoPar) is SUCTION on the lower hose.

[rwhite692]

I intend to either make or buy a tubing bead roller to produce that bead on all of my turbo/intercooler plumbing. My existing bead roller won't work too well, to do it.

Ready made tool:




One guy on the turbo forums used an old vise, and a set of homemade dies to roll the needed beads. Simple, and certainly dirt cheap to do, if you have access to a lathe to make up the dies from scrap material. I would probably make up a smaller die set, so that it would be able to fit inside of the coolant tubing.

[Lenie]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Lenie --

Tim Bruning has a lead on absolutely MARVELOUS perfectly round heavy gauge SS tubing. It's a food grade so it's even polished on the inside! My headers and exhaust on the '32 is made out of it. The key to this tubing is that no matter where you cut in a bend... the cuts match since there is no distortion.

I tried to find a link to the supplier but couldn't find it.

If you don't have a way to contact him - call me and I'll get you two in touch.

Perfect, thanks Greg, I'll give Tim a call.

[GregWeld]

Dude!

Just step up and order one of these bad boys!

http://vansantent.com/bead_tool_electric.htm

[Lenie]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Dude!

Just step up and order one of these bad boys!

http://vansantent.com/bead_tool_electric.htm

Mmmmm I could afford the lube, it's a universal tool