The Ford Barn

FrankWest · 02-12-2016, 09:02 AM

I have a new recently installed top radiator hose on My 1933 model B which I bought from MAC's crack! Who sells quality hoses? It is the red stripped type or should I just buy a comparable hose, without the red strip from a auto parts dealer to assure that the hose is good? Wondering if these reproduction hoses are just for show and not really for driving? A shame if that is true!

Charlie Stephens · 02-12-2016, 12:08 PM

Be sure to call MAC's and complain. Tell them you posted the problem on the internet. Ask for a replacement plus shipping. If we don't give feedback to the vendors we will keep getting junk.

Charlie Stephens

FrankWest · 02-12-2016, 12:48 PM

Thanks...
I called them to complain and they are sending a replacement. I get a free replacement, maybe I just happened to get a bad one??? They said they had no record of complaints about the hoses? Maybe nobody complained even though they had a problem. Thanks Charlie for telling me to complain..You are very right that we have to keep these guys informed of the problems with their stuff, otherwise in the long run we will all suffer! Thanks again.
Do you think there is a difference in the quality of hoses between them and Bob Drakes
stuff? Drake has some real quality stuff...I try to buy all my stuff from them, now that I know better.

Barry-ct · 02-12-2016, 01:02 PM

Alot is just made by one of the vendor's sub contractors (China ) and just has a particular vendors label stuck over the original packaging. They sell to each other at the wholesale level. Best to complain if something is sub standard. They all say you're the first complaint, but you know that is BS!

Lawson Cox · 02-12-2016, 01:18 PM

Buy hose from NAPA and paint the stripe yourself.

FrankWest · 02-12-2016, 01:41 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Buy hose from NAPA and paint the stripe yourself.

Great idea! I wonder how many poor souls broke down along roads because they used these sub standard "show" hoses! The NAPA idea sounds wonderful, then at least I will get sound usable hoses.

35ragtop · 02-12-2016, 03:32 PM

It could be just the recent batch as I have driven 6000 miles over the last 4 years with those sold by Macs (and have them off at present) but they still look ok to me.
Dave h

petehoovie · 02-12-2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Buy hose from NAPA and paint the stripe yourself.

This is what I ended up having to do except I elected to not "paint the stripe". The Vintique hoses I bought were too stiff/brittle to use. The hoses from NAPA are excellent quality....

FrankWest · 02-12-2016, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehoovie

This is what I ended up having to do except I elected to not "paint the stripe". The Vintique hoses I bought were too stiff/brittle to use. The hoses from NAPA are excellent quality....

Sounds good! After I recieve my replacement hose from MAC's I will bring it to NAPA. Will they be able to find one of similar size?

petehoovie · 02-12-2016, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Sounds good! After I recieve my replacement hose from MAC's I will bring it to NAPA. Will they be able to find one of similar size?

I bought a length of 'bulk' hose from NAPA and cut lengths to fit using the Vintique hose as a template....Do take your hose from Mac's to NAPA for correct diameter....

JM 35 Sedan · 02-12-2016, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Thanks...
I called them to complain and they are sending a replacement. I get a free replacement, maybe I just happened to get a bad one??? They said they had no record of complaints about the hoses? Maybe nobody complained even though they had a problem. Thanks Charlie for telling me to complain..You are very right that we have to keep these guys informed of the problems with their stuff, otherwise in the long run we will all suffer! Thanks again.
Do you think there is a difference in the quality of hoses between them and Bob Drakes
stuff? Drake has some real quality stuff...I try to buy all my stuff from them, now that I know better.

I'm guessing that replacement coming will likely not be any better than the one that cracked. I have some bulk 3' lengths of radiator hose of the correct diameter for my '35's that came from an old garage years ago when they closed their doors and got rid of everything. Not sure who made it but I am sure the company was not located in China. It has the looks and feel of quality, and has been used on my cars with no problems. No red stripe, but then who really needs that on a driver that will never be a show queen. Do as suggested, and see what NAPA carries. It may even have "Made in USA" imprinted

39portlander · 02-12-2016, 06:44 PM

I had this similar problem with my lower hoses and replaced them with new Gates pieces, not really worried about the stripe. My truck only has 20 miles on it and mostly sits as I slowly put it together.

I would not get another hose from the same source, it's gonna crack again silly

.

Ken Bull · 02-12-2016, 08:03 PM

Gee, I got my Hose set from Mac's in 2011 and to date and 2000+ miles later OK. The Red stripe looks nice at Shows! Not sure a painted stripe would hold up?

FrankWest · 02-12-2016, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 39portlander

I had this similar problem with my lower hoses and replaced them with new Gates pieces, not really worried about the stripe. My truck only has 20 miles on it and mostly sits as I slowly put it together.

I would not get another hose from the same source, it's gonna crack again silly

.

I don't plan on using the Crappy Mac's hose but called to complain and they said they would send me another. I will bring it to the NAPA store get a sound one with the proper diameter. I still have the two lower hoses in place.
It burns me up that they sell these "SHOW" hoses at all. It is such a stupid thing to make and sell a poor quality item that can cause so much trouble.

35fordtn · 02-12-2016, 08:14 PM

FYI the hoses mac's sells with the red stripe are made by vintique.

Ken Crans · 02-13-2016, 06:07 AM

McMaster-Carr has bulk hose that i cut myself,with yellow or red stripe.

FrankWest · 02-13-2016, 09:00 AM

This morning I went to NAPA bought a 3 foot section of hose, that the man told me was quality made by GATES. The smallest section they sell cost 45$. The hose marked Made In Mexico!
What the heck is going on, Isn't anything made in the USA anymore.
Hasta La Vista, Baby!

JM 35 Sedan · 02-13-2016, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankWest

This morning I went to NAPA bought a 3 foot section of hose, that the man told me was quality made by GATES. The smallest section they sell cost 45$. The hose marked Made In Mexico!
What the heck is going on, Isn't anything made in the USA anymore.

Unfortunately, not much at all Frank, unless you consider baby making,....but then hold on to your hat and hang in there, ... that is also being out sourced to off shore concerns now as well

JSeery · 02-13-2016, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

Unfortunately, not much at all Frank, unless you consider baby making,....but then hold on to your hat and hang in there, ... that is also being out sourced to off shore concerns now as well

Like that one!

FrankWest · 02-15-2016, 11:17 AM

I Spoke with Bob Drake this morning about his radiator hoses.
They are very careful to specify the materials but there hoses are made in Taiwan.

02-12-2016, 09:02 AM	#1
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,008	quality radiator hoses I have a new recently installed top radiator hose on My 1933 model B which I bought from MAC's crack! Who sells quality hoses? It is the red stripped type or should I just buy a comparable hose, without the red strip from a auto parts dealer to assure that the hose is good? Wondering if these reproduction hoses are just for show and not really for driving? A shame if that is true! Last edited by FrankWest; 02-12-2016 at 09:08 AM.

02-12-2016, 12:08 PM	#2
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,065	Re: quality radiator hoses Be sure to call MAC's and complain. Tell them you posted the problem on the internet. Ask for a replacement plus shipping. If we don't give feedback to the vendors we will keep getting junk. Charlie Stephens

02-12-2016, 12:48 PM	#3
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,008	Re: quality radiator hoses Thanks... I called them to complain and they are sending a replacement. I get a free replacement, maybe I just happened to get a bad one??? They said they had no record of complaints about the hoses? Maybe nobody complained even though they had a problem. Thanks Charlie for telling me to complain..You are very right that we have to keep these guys informed of the problems with their stuff, otherwise in the long run we will all suffer! Thanks again. Do you think there is a difference in the quality of hoses between them and Bob Drakes stuff? Drake has some real quality stuff...I try to buy all my stuff from them, now that I know better. Last edited by FrankWest; 02-12-2016 at 12:55 PM.

02-12-2016, 01:02 PM	#4
Barry-ct Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newington, Connecticut Posts: 1,374	Re: quality radiator hoses Alot is just made by one of the vendor's sub contractors (China ) and just has a particular vendors label stuck over the original packaging. They sell to each other at the wholesale level. Best to complain if something is sub standard. They all say you're the first complaint, but you know that is BS! __________________ Barry 50 F-1

02-12-2016, 01:18 PM	#5
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: quality radiator hoses Buy hose from NAPA and paint the stripe yourself. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

02-12-2016, 03:32 PM	#7
35ragtop Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gold Coast , Australia Posts: 249	Re: quality radiator hoses It could be just the recent batch as I have driven 6000 miles over the last 4 years with those sold by Macs (and have them off at present) but they still look ok to me. Dave h

02-12-2016, 06:44 PM	#12
39portlander Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suth'N Maine Posts: 1,998	Re: quality radiator hoses I had this similar problem with my lower hoses and replaced them with new Gates pieces, not really worried about the stripe. My truck only has 20 miles on it and mostly sits as I slowly put it together. I would not get another hose from the same source, it's gonna crack again silly.

02-12-2016, 08:14 PM	#15
35fordtn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McMinnville, TN Posts: 2,329	Re: quality radiator hoses FYI the hoses mac's sells with the red stripe are made by vintique.

02-13-2016, 06:07 AM	#16
Ken Crans Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Highland,MI Posts: 1,196	Re: quality radiator hoses McMaster-Carr has bulk hose that i cut myself,with yellow or red stripe.

02-15-2016, 11:17 AM	#20
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,008	Re: quality radiator hoses I Spoke with Bob Drake this morning about his radiator hoses. They are very careful to specify the materials but there hoses are made in Taiwan.