Heater Hose Temperature Requirement

[vesnyder]

I am replacing my heater hose and am considering a Neoprene coated hose from an industrial supply house that can take temperatures up to 300 degrees F - will that be sufficient? This hose runs through the engine compartment. If not there is a Silicone treated hose that accomodates temps up to 500 degrees - will that be enough?

[89911]

I've used SCAT hose from Aircraft Spruce that they sell by the foot. It is silicon impregnated and I think good up to 500 degrees.
As long as the hose is not touching something such as the muffler, the temperatures are far below this amount. Avoid any foil type hose also.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by 89911
I've used SCAT hose from Aircraft Spruce that they sell by the foot.

ditto.. I used same but there is another grade higher.

[vesnyder]

Thanks, Do you guys recall the sizes off hand? I measured 2" for the small hose that goes under the compressor.

[IROC]

I've used the neoprene stuff for years. It's alot cheaper and it works just fine. I've used it for brake cooling ducts and heater ducting. It's just not as "pretty" as the silicone. I think the correct term for the silicone hose is "bling".

Mike

[joet4143]

try aeroquip they have the silicone impregnated hose and the special clamps to use with it .http://www.hydraulic-supply.com/html/productline/mfgprod/aeroquip.htm

[89911]

I think the size is 2.5". This stuff is used for Aircraft systems, I doubt if "bling" was on their minds when they make this stuff. It wasn't very expensive either.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by 89911
IThis stuff is used for Aircraft systems, I doubt if "bling" was on their minds when they make this stuff.

your more polite than me.. thanks.

[Wil Ferch]

Aircraft Spruce and Soecialty is a great source for pieces...this included, and silicone is most definately not Bling. Holy Smokes...quite the contrary. Silicone is simply better. They sell SCEET, SCAT, in either single or double wall construction, ans as mentioned...not that expensive.
--Wil

[IROC]

My only point was there is a difference between "better" and what is required to do the job. If the neoprene impregnated hose meets the requirements, then the more expensive and fancy orange-colored silicone hose is used for cosmetic purposes only? Am I wrong? Is the neoprene unacceptable? I've used it for years without any problems. I thought that's what the original poster was asking.

Mike

[Wil Ferch]

IROC:
Using your logic....you're saying that anything above "minimum service requirements" is cosmetic only.

Maybe.... better = extended service life...not just cosmetics ??? Even if both "do the job" ??

---Wil

[joet4143]

i personally agree with wil . just because it does the job has no bearing on quality of product . I like using high grade components when the job calls for it . when it comes to the p car if it costs less than $100 your doing good imo. Yes you could buy cheap s rated tires and they will drive you around for 200 so why spend the money on great tires when the others can hold air and let you drive the car . the difference in knowing you spent the little extra when comparing prices is well worth the level of pride in knowing you treated the car with the respect it deserves and it will return the same tenfold if you maintain this principle . besides were just talking about hoses not 20 inch rims and gold teeth !

[89911]

Originally posted by IROC
My only point was there is a difference between "better" and what is required to do the job. If the neoprene impregnated hose meets the requirements, then the more expensive and fancy orange-colored silicone hose is used for cosmetic purposes only? Am I wrong? Is the neoprene unacceptable? I've used it for years without any problems. I thought that's what the original poster was asking.

Mike

No harm is saving some money. I've used several types for my application, (fan housing to SSI). The orignal SC type brown hoses actually burnt where they cam into contact with the muffler. I then uses a foil type that got destroyed when stones flew up and tore into the frail stuff. The orange silcone stuff I have now has been on for 2 year with no signs of failure or wear.

[IROC]

I didn't mean to get anything started here. Maybe a better analogy to illustrate my point is hypothetically suppose there are two tires made by the same manufacturer and perform *identically*. One has a higher speed rating - say, "W" vs "Z" - but the Z rating is perfectly adequate for the application. The "W" speed rated tire costs 10% more. Would you pay the extra for the W rated tire? I wouldn't.

I'm a firm beleiver in "you get what you pay for", but it has been my experience that the less expensive neoprene impregnated hose carries air from one point to another just as well as the silicone impregnated hose.

Mike

[joet4143]

i guess my point was also something around the same theory . if you could break down the hose prices by % . lets say one cost rubber = $20 neoprene= $30 and silicone = $40 for arguments sake . rubber being 200 F neoprene 300F silicone 500F+ . The small difference in price is easily offset by the difference in performance and appearence . were talking $ 10 . These are the types of topics i really hate seeing on this board cause in a way its just a matter of personal risk and opinion . and too many factors invovled over something as simple as a heater hose . my 71 is just for fun so i treat it differently than a daily driver that would see tons of use . but yet would buy the hose that would last a lifetime

[vesnyder]

FYI - I ended up using the Neoprene-Coated fiberglass hose. The price difference between that and the Silicone-Coated was about half - $40 vs ~$80 to do the complete engine. I ordered from McMaster-Carr and got same day delivery, but surprisingly it was cheaper by the foot at the aircraft supply places!

[Porsche_monkey]

I used the stiff paper stuff but installed steel 2" liqui-tite inside it. Heat protected outer, long life inner.