Running it through the tubing?

skipnrocks · Feb 15, 2018

Finally built the tube work for getting fluid from the lower part of the radiator to the water pump on a 3.8 v6. My question is this. Do I really need to weld a lip on the tubing that the hose attaches too? I was thinking not since it is a suction side of the line. What are your thoughts. ?

nhl_bullitt · Feb 15, 2018

If it is just a smooth tube, I definitely would. I do a small stitch weld on opposing sides of the tube.

skipnrocks · Feb 15, 2018

Just something for the hose clamp to hit?

nhl_bullitt · Feb 15, 2018

Yea exactly. Have that hose clamp on the other side of the little bead you welded and it will not be able to slide off. Hose clamps loosen up, whether it be stretching of the metal or the rubber changing with temperature, but I have never had a clamp/hose slip off. Once every few runs I check on the hose clamps to make sure they are still snug.

gottagofast · Feb 16, 2018

Keep in mind there isn't any suction relative to ambient...

The whole system is under pressure

skipnrocks · Feb 16, 2018

gottagofast said:
Keep in mind there isn't any suction relative to ambient...

The whole systen is under pressure

Yeah I guess that's true. I didn't think of it that way

hokie_yj · Feb 16, 2018

Yeah, definitely weld a small bead on it in a few spots. I had a hose blow off once because it didn't have that, when the radiator is directly behind the seats it's no fun at all.

slravenel · Feb 16, 2018

Another vote for Definitely Weld

Doesn't need to go all the way around, just something for the hose clamp to catch, I usually put 4 little stitches around the tube. I also spray the tube with hairspray before you install the hose. It will give it some tackiness and just a little bit of extra protection.