It's worth remembering that silicon hoses don't perish like rubber, so they'll last longer and that'll offset the cost a bit. Samco do one called Samco Classic, and that has a matt black finish.
If using the mini bottom hose it will need cutting and a spacer sleeve inserted as its shorter than the Minor one. Top hose is normally a straight hose as with the bye pass hose, the water hoses will be 15mm ID slightly larger than the minor ones. Always use the best quality ABBA hose clamps with silicon hoses as these do not cut into the pipe.PM me or give me a call at work .
This week I was in the unfortunate position to have to buy new top and bottom hoses (bad luck to be honest, as I have used all my surplus stock) from a well known bull factor. These cost 22pound by the time they were delivered and will only last 18months at best. What the secret bmce?
Well -it's sad you think they should only last 18 months! Mine have been on my car for ~ 9 years that I know of, and goodness knows how long before, and still going strong. I also see piles of hoses at autojumbles - usually no more than £2 each - sometimes 50p. If that's the going rate for two hoses (£22) - i'll maybe buy a few spares this summer at the jumbles!
Hi, I usually buy mine at autojumbles, spending no more than three pound for a bottom hose. But, in the midlands moggy parts fetch a premium these days at rallys as there are so many mogs. I have not been able to find a cheap one for a couple of years now. A mate of mine uses them for minis (i'm guessing they cut them, unsure) which does not help matters with supply.
I have to admit new prices have become pretty high - but if you need them!
Its horrible to admit, but new stock hoses just don't seem to last. For example - 1968 - new hoses with car lasted me 13 years before the bypass let go. I have receipts for hoses from Austin in 1981 which lasted 8 years, The same again in 1990 which last five years from rover garage. However from 1995 (using bull factor, c ware, es*) i have receipts for six bottom hoses, seven top and five bypass. It tells a story I think of inferior quality.
