Silicone Radiator Hoses

[cdoggwsu]

I have searched every place I could possibly think of and I can't find a single company that makes (or sells) a silicone radiator hose kit for a Chevy 350!?!?!? Honda, Jeep, Datsun and many others but not a single Chevy anywhere...the cornerstone of American engineering, and not a single company makes a hose to accommodate!

I feel let down .

Anyway, not that silicone is necessary but i think it looks good and will outlast the rubber ones. Am I crazy or do these really not exist?

*EDIT* I should also probably mention that I have already found the Goodyear "Hi-Miler" kits at Summit. To be honest that electric blue color is a little too fruity for me. Whatever happened to simple black hoses?

 

[Thunder]

The Hi Miler kits are the only thing out there that I know of. It is good quality hose. I kinda like the Ford blue color.
IMO silicone is too soft for offroad. It can be easily punctured and is more prone to abraision than HD rubber hose.
Just get some good quality HD hose from your local auto parts dealer.

 

[johnnychimpo]

'94-'96 Impala SS's came from the factory with silicone hoses. Try that application at the parts store.

 

[blazin_blazer]

get the goodyears and stainless braid hose covers!

 

[cdoggwsu]

The Hi Miler kits are the only thing out there that I know of. It is good quality hose. I kinda like the Ford blue color.
IMO silicone is too soft for offroad. It can be easily punctured and is more prone to abraision than HD rubber hose.
Just get some good quality HD hose from your local auto parts dealer.

Thanks guys for all the great replies. Good call, Thunder. I was thinking more along the lines of temperature shock (ie hot coolant in lines, cold water in the mud hole) and flex resistance with respect to the silicone hoses. I believe the Samco Sport hoses on my Integra are internally belted and bonded to prevent puncturing, but I can't say that the Acura quite equates to an off road experience. I also noticed that Samco makes hose kits for the LT and LS motors but no love for the older 350's...oh well, perhaps the Hi Milers will have to do.

 

[blazin_blazer]

i like the blue goodyears, people always ask about them.

 

[Ned Kelly]

I think silicone hoses also use a different hose clamp. It's got more clamping force or something, or less tendency to loosen. Anyways, that's what I was told by a fellow who works on Chev 9c1 police cars.

 

[cdoggwsu]

I was told to use the stainless clamps as opposed to galvanized with the silicone hoses, so that's what I put on my Acura. I've had those on since I did the new radiator a year ago and they look great.

 

[Banner44]

I have them on my 94 Caprice (9C1). Just replaced one... Loved it when the guy said "sit down before I tell you the price". (Heater core feed line: $170 for 2ft of hose and a little plastic valve - which is what broke)

The 9C1s use stainless clamps that wrap all the way around (under) with a solid piece so theres no hose "poking out" through the holes in the clamp.

I love them on my DD.. no experience offroad with them.

 

[JpEater]

You can't use regular clamps. The clamps have to be smooth on the inside or they will tear up the hose.