Too close for comfort?

robbz28

Member
Sep 23, 2009
775
5
19
Epps, LA
I have been working on my 67 coupe for the past 3 years and now I have come to the point of putting tags on her and driving! Just one thing bugging me, When I rebuilt the engine I put on long tube headers (ceramic coated) and rebuilt my factory power steering. The issue I have is the hose routing, the only way i could route the hoses and it not interfere with anything is within an inch of one of my header primary tubes, maybe 3/4 inch. Is this too close? These hoses are the factory hydraulic lines, im certain they are rubber over braided steel, but is that too close? My only other option is to take the hose off, go to my local parts house and have them build me a longer hose. Comments, suggestions?
 
I would just buy some header wrap and wrap the header in the area where the hose comes close. Just extend along the header say 5" of each side of the hose and you should be fine. They also make heat sleeves for clutch cables that I'm sure you could use on this as well.

I wrapped my headers where my clutch cable got really close just cause I didn't want to spring for another $400 for headers that fit perfectly.
 
Yeah, I had thought about that, I found some hose wrap rated at 1100 degrees (its like 10 bucks a foot for 1") anyway, i will put that around the hose, I don't want to do header wrap, that stuff can get wet and rusts out your headers, it voids most header manufacturers warranties.
 
I had the same issue with my 347 and stock PS hoses. After doing a bunch of research, I finally ended up just getting a set of factory hoses for the big block application. This allowed me to route the hoses down below the motor mounts and make the connection to the ram, keeping them far away from the headers. Connected to my stock pump no problem. Highly recommend it. Don't think you want to wrap those nice shiny ceramic coat headers...
 
I have considered the big block hoses, but correct me if im wrong on this, i have the early 67 control valve, which has the smaller fittings on it, (1/4) i looked high and low and i think all the big block applications had the larger fittings (3/8)....so i could never find any hoses that would fit my smaller control valve.
And I am not going to wrap the header, im going to wrap the hose with this thermo flex stuff. At its closest point, i can stick my finger between the hose and the header, so its just that one place that its really really close. Maybe this weekend if the thermoflex comes in i will take a pic of my dilemma.
 
When they start a giveaway progam let me know, id be happy to fix it....im about 3/4 of the way into building a house, the mustang fund ran dry 3 months ago! I had to use my secret stash to finish the car...

Been there, done that, bought the tee shirt:D Speaking of "secret fund" here in Vegas we got these places called "Casinos" and if you wanna do ANY of what folks do there, it is smart to build a "secret fund" for it. You'd be surprised how many "dirt cheap" (as far as the LOML knows) upgrades my car has seen when that fund magically (luckily) has grown:rolleyes: I think we ought to try a group buy with Borgeson and see if we can get a discount.
Have Fun, Be Safe,
Gene
 
Borgeson group buy you say......sounds like a good idea to me. Mr. Visa could tote that for a couple of months if we could work something out...We have riverboat gambling less than an hour down the road, but they don't get but about 40 bucks of my money every six months or so, i think i break even at their buffet!
 
I have considered the big block hoses, but correct me if im wrong on this, i have the early 67 control valve, which has the smaller fittings on it, (1/4) i looked high and low and i think all the big block applications had the larger fittings (3/8)....so i could never find any hoses that would fit my smaller control valve.
And I am not going to wrap the header, im going to wrap the hose with this thermo flex stuff. At its closest point, i can stick my finger between the hose and the header, so its just that one place that its really really close. Maybe this weekend if the thermoflex comes in i will take a pic of my dilemma.

That would not be correct. Most 67 BB also had the 1/4" pressure inlet. These are harder to get than the 5/16" hoses, but they are available, in everything from 1-piece generic, to flawless, if pricey, reproduction.

Wrapping the hose may allow it to survive, but it'll still run hot.
 
Well my thermoflex is supposed to come in today, I conducted a little experiment last night, I let my car run for about 10 min, just idling, got up to operating temperature and i held my hand about an inch from the primary tube, i guess maybe with the ceramic coating helping, it just didnt get so hot i couldnt hold my hand there, so i think with the thermo flex added, Hopefully I won't have any issues...but I will look for one of those big block hoses again, and have it just in case the hose starts to show signs of damage...or like Gene said, get a borgeson!
 
Well my thermoflex is supposed to come in today, I conducted a little experiment last night, I let my car run for about 10 min, just idling, got up to operating temperature and i held my hand about an inch from the primary tube, i guess maybe with the ceramic coating helping, it just didnt get so hot i couldnt hold my hand there, so i think with the thermo flex added, Hopefully I won't have any issues...but I will look for one of those big block hoses again, and have it just in case the hose starts to show signs of damage...or like Gene said, get a borgeson!

Hi,
From my perspective, I think you're on the right track with the heat insulation deal. Try it, test it, check it, then, make your call.
When faced with similar problems, I start small and simple.
...and I do have my secret stash, just in case, as well. Shhhh!
Happy Motoring!