Lower/mid radiator hose union

mitch_f1 · Postby **mitch_f1** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:57 pm

I am still really worried about the proximity of my middle radiator hose to my headers. I have been looking at it, and without the air con compressor, there is a bit of room there, which makes me think, is it possible to run a single rubber hose from the water pump to the bottom of the radiator. It may need to be secured to the side at at least one location, but other than that can anyone see an issue in doing so? Has it been done before? Is there a reason for the middle radiator pipe, other than keeping the hose to the side, out of the way?

I am talking about the section starting with the circled hose here, and ending at the bottom radiator outlet

mitch_f1 · Postby **mitch_f1** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:19 pm

Found this, with useful pictures. Doesn't have a post-mod write-up though?

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=404769

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:46 am

NB lower hose is one piece from pump to radiator. I fitted one this morning to my NA and threw away the metal pipe.

EDIT: Not sure why you're asking on that other thread if the radiator hose needs to be fixed to the body. One end to the radiator is fixed, and the other to the engine which moves back and forth. It's not like the pipe flops around once the hose clamps are on.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:33 am

Jerrah is right.

There are also several aftermarket hoses that fit. For example, Flyin Miata make a special one piece hose for turbo installations to route the hose away from the compressor.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:36 am

zossy1 wrote:Jerrah is right.

There are also several aftermarket hoses that fit. For example, Flyin Miata make a special one piece hose for turbo installations to route the hose away from the compressor.

http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?dep ... r=22-51000

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:31 am

When I put headers on I just wrapped the rubber hose from that joiner to the water pump in reflective tape. Likewise the heater hoses near the back of the headers. They've been good like that for a couple of years.

mitch_f1 · Postby **mitch_f1** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:37 pm

jerrah wrote:EDIT: Not sure why you're asking on that other thread if the radiator hose needs to be fixed to the body. One end to the radiator is fixed, and the other to the engine which moves back and forth. It's not like the pipe flops around once the hose clamps are on.

Yeh, I dunno, just thought it might be an issue. But I guess if it is reasonably thick rubber it shouldnt then?

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:13 pm

mitch_f1 wrote:
jerrah wrote:EDIT: Not sure why you're asking on that other thread if the radiator hose needs to be fixed to the body. One end to the radiator is fixed, and the other to the engine which moves back and forth. It's not like the pipe flops around once the hose clamps are on.

Yeh, I dunno, just thought it might be an issue. But I guess if it is reasonably thick rubber it shouldnt then?

Rubber is nice and flexy - no probs at all.