Bottom Radiator Hose For Spiders With A/C

aldo said:

Murray,
Just wondering if you had any problems finding a replacement hose. Last year when I replaced mine I had to order from Europe because none of the usual vendors had any. I was told the lower hose with S-4 a/c were NLA.

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Hi aldo,

Was the hose you get from Europe OEM hose (smaller in the middle)?

Art Vandelay said:

Hi Murray:

Did you get my email from earlier in the week (when your PM box was full) about this very same issue??? In any case, Centerline has the correct hose, and I know this after having bought a very similar, but incorrect hose from Vick. They're both reproductions of the original hose, but don't have a mid-section that's smaller in diameter than the ends, which the original hose had. Install is still tricky, as you've got to clear both the crank pulley and A/C pulley. And, watch for expansion of the hose after it's hot an pressurized. And, finally, the Centerline hose is really only ~$13, not the ~$70 price as shown in the catalog (which must have been the OEM hose). Glad your waterpump wasn't the problem.

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No, I didn't get it, how funny

Well the hose that got damage from the crank wheel was from Vick's and the one that I was going to replace it with was a spare Vick's hose too.

That hose does need to be smaller in that area going between the crank wheel and a/c pulley without a doubt. As coolant hoses age they all expand.

I'll might have to order the Centerline hose even though it's not smaller in middle then the ends to see if it gives more clearance than what I have.................?

Now it makes sense why that hose bracket clamp between the crank wheel and the a/c pulley is smaller than the Vick's hose.

Tifosi mentioned that maybe the bottom radiator hose could be cut in 2 and install a pipe or PVC to go through that tight area or maybe one of those SS braided radiator hoses would work?

Art Vandelay said:

You'll be OK with the Centerline hose. FWIW, Ruth Ann at Alfa Parts also mentioned they had had some trouble with the hoses they sell, but Centerline reported no such trouble. It's still a ***** to install, especially getting the hose onto the waterpump, but once in place, it's fine. Be suer to leave both clamps loose so you can adjust the position the hose once both ends are fitted.

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Many thanks, I'll order it but tell me on the price that is listed on Centerlines web site did you have to call to get the $13.00 price or did it show up on your credit card as $13.00 at your surpise?

Here is a shot of the bracket did you bend on it way or the other for the best clearance? I have moved mine up as far as it would without hitting the a/c pulley (seemed like the higher you hold the hose away from the crank wheel the better with the Vick's hose?

Art Vandelay said:

I don't have that bracket! Doesn't seem like I need it, but I wonder where it went? .

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It's bolted on the a/c compressure bracket, maybe I'll remove mine to see if that helps?

As you can see in the damage hose the the clamp squeezes the botttom of the hose causing the top part to bulge out and that was the part that got hit by the crank wheel teeth.

I wonder if the PO of your Spider took it off or of Alfa just stop putting those on after the 91 modle year?

Art Vandelay said:

Tough to know for sure, not having a bracket to look at, but on my '92 with the Centerline hose, I don't see how the bracket would help, especially if it squeezes the hose and makes it bulge on top. Maybe you should ask Centerline for their advice when you call to order the hose?

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Your right the bracket does not help at all in fact IMO it hurts and I would recommend for it to come off when the OEM hose is replaced.

The Vick's hose looks to fit better between the compressor pulley and crank wheel without the bracket but the clearance is still very close and I don't have it hook up to the radiator yet which might push the hose to close to either danger.

It's worth getting the Centerline hose to see if it's better IMO.

Here are some pictures of the clamp showing how it clamps down the hose too much IMO. I also included a shot of the of how the hose looks installed without the clamp.

As a note I can't imagine how that hose could be changed with everything in place. That must of been a frustrating job Dean.

Well:

It is interesting to see this problem being discussed here. We had the hose cut in Arkansas, on the way to Motor City Alfa in Detroit. The replacement hose was not the narrow center section and the installer, made special effort to use a tie wrap to pull the hose away from the timing wheel.

After the Lake Huron Mille, I was autocrossing the spider and the ac compressor's worn mounting bracket bushings allowed it to move cutting the 1st replacement hose.

Second replacement hose was the narrow center section hose, which so far has not had a problem (knock wood) either on the way home and during the Texas Hill country chapter's Fall tour. We are planning on having the worn bushings replaced soon.

So be careful, if you do not have a narrow center sectioned hose, to inspect your ac compressor for play due to worn bushings. Bad bushings will position the cut to be on almost the exact opposite position on the hose as to the timing wheel cut. We have two souvenir hoses from our Detroit trip.

Best Wishes,
Bernie Bennett
Brenham, TX