1955 radiator large spring in lower hose,

[photoguy]

Evening,

Doing lots of service on my Bird, the lower radiator hose had a large crumbled spring inside. Have never seen anything like this, any idea why someone would do this?

Thanks!

 

[AlphaWray]

That one does seem to be quite twisted but I’ve seen several lower radiator hoses with coils inside. It’s not really a spring. The coil give support to the rubber hose. It keeps the hose from collapsing when the thermostat opens and the water pump begins sucking water from the bottom of the radiator.

 

[Frankie the Fink]

Correct, many vintage cars have the spring in the hose and I would replace it with the same type.
I suspect that hose has been R&R'ed before and reused and somebody twisted the snot out of it during the process - buy a new one...

 

[hotrodbuilder]

Evening,

Doing lots of service on my Bird, the lower radiator hose had a large crumbled spring inside. Have never seen anything like this, any idea why someone would do this?

Thanks!View attachment 31680

 

[hotrodbuilder]

The wire coil should extend nearly the length of the hose and is designed to keep the hose from collapsing when waterpump suction pulls coolant into the engine.

 

[Brax]

Evening,

Doing lots of service on my Bird, the lower radiator hose had a large crumbled spring inside. Have never seen anything like this, any idea why someone would do this?

Thanks!View attachment 31680

They keep the hose from collapsing from the suction make sure you replace with one that has a spring or you may end up with over heating problems. Looks like someone tried to remove it by twisting it, bad idea

 

[SkidJames]

Evening,

Doing lots of service on my Bird, the lower radiator hose had a large crumbled spring inside. Have never seen anything like this, any idea why someone would do this?

Thanks!View attachment 31680

Looks like someone has pushed a couple of cut up bed springs into the hose! As others have said, the lower radiator hose needs to have support to stop it collapsing and causing over heating issues. The specialist suppliers have replacement hoses with the appropriate coil already fitted inside.

 

[dustymtn]

Evening,

Doing lots of service on my Bird, the lower radiator hose had a large crumbled spring inside. Have never seen anything like this, any idea why someone would do this?

Thanks!View attachment 31680

Actually, some molded hoses come with a "spring" inside, that keeps the hose from collapsing, especially if there are tight bends. Yours looks pretty old & corroded, which I've never seen before.