On my MGB build I used silicone hoses, no problems but expensive.

I can but a ready made set of silicone hoses for my current project car for £140.

Or a set of Kevlar re-inforced hoses for £62.

I dont think its worth another £80 for silicone, as I could buy 2 sets of Kevlar.

What are your views on Silicone hoses

[Edited on 13/1/10 by r1_pete]

not had mine on long enough to know if they are more reliable, but that is what is said.

In my case, I purchased loads of shaped pieces in order to custom plumb radiator to engine:

90 degree bend
90 degree reducer
straight reducer
45 degree bend
180 (or U) bend
straight pieces
alloy joiners

since silicone hose is available in a huge number of shapes and sizes.

note on my land rover I used rubber hose then sprayed with blue rubberised paint to give silicone hose look - works well but not ideal on an offroader as the get quite dirty.

(mr silicone or automotive silicone hose (ASH) on ebay sells them quite cheap)

[Edited on 14/8/15 by 02GF74]

[Edited on 13/1/10 by 02GF74]

I think they look good but thats it. The only thing theyr good for is for getting bends and reducers etc that would be hard to find in breakers etc.

I like a hose to be black so rubbers good.

Like 02GF74 i found the bends and reducers i needed more readily available in silicone and for not too much money,they are also easier to work with when cutting to length.

I had two pipe failiures on my old pinto set up using regulation black heater hose,never had a problem with silicone.

Silicone hoses are a bad idea mainly because they don't get as good a bite on the stub pipe as a rubber hose. If you read in these pages of a hose blowing off it is 999 times out of 1000 a silicone hose.

The only problem with rubber hoses is they tend to harden with age, this can be a problem in the top hose if the car has soft engine mounts and a short top hose.

quote:

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Originally posted by Danozeman
I think they look good but thats it. The only thing theyr good for is for getting bends and reducers etc that would be hard to find in breakers etc.

I like a hose to be black so rubbers good.

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I prefer silicone, Ive never had a problem with it. Surely if it comes flying off its not been put on properly?
Ive come across many more problems with rubber hoses.

depends on the car.....I have noticed that the reproduction hoses labelled "kevlar reinforced" have a short lifespan, a few years and they crack/split. It is a major problem, which is why many places are getting them made in silicone .
On the other hand, if it is genuine OE hoses or the decent off the roll hose, it lasts well. Think it is that they use cheap, nasty manufacturors and recycled chinese condoms to make stuff for classic cars now

quote:

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Originally posted by A1
I prefer silicone, Ive never had a problem with it. Surely if it comes flying off its not been put on properly?
Ive come across many more problems with rubber hoses.

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i think its harder to find as bigger selection of rubber hoses as it is for silicone hose.

you can find a huge selection of bends, straight lengths, reducers, etc.
not seen a big range of rubber hose, but that said i've not REALLY looked for them

need to start looking for hoses myself.. cheap is the order of the day at the minute (upgrade later)

I think silicone hose is a bit overrated personally, much like polyurethane bushes.

The main advantage is the availability of universal bends and straights in a variety of diameters for building custom systems. That said I just fitted silicone turbo hoses to my Fiat Coupe, but only because the originals had either split or gone very hard and the silicone ones (in black!) were quite a lot cheaper than buying OEM from Fiat.