Advice: Booster / Coolant Hose & Heater Box | FerrariChat
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Advice: Booster / Coolant Hose & Heater Box

Discussion in '308/328' started by BNSC100, Jul 21, 2016.

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  1. BNSC100

    BNSC100 Karting

    May 28, 2009
    127
    SC
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #1 BNSC100, Jul 21, 2016
    Hi All

    Car: 1986 328 GTS, 75,000 MI

    Looking to replace the coolant heater hoses and brake booster line as well. The long hoses going front to back, as well as the rats nest of heater hoses under the cowl.... Couple of questions:

    1. Brake Booster Line:
    Italiancarparts.com has the fabric coated hose in 12 & 13MM sizes. The nipple on the booster is 12MM wide on the narrow part just past the hump and the hump is 13MM. Normally I would get the 12MM size (tightest) but the guy at ICP.com says go with the widest part (the hump), which would mean the 13MM hose. With a caliper, Im struggling to get hose ID of more than 12, but I don't trust an old out of shape hose measure... Their hose has no "inch" vacuum rating but I assume it qualifies....

    Have had trouble finding the fabric coated line other places, espacially hose that works with regular clamps...

    2. Heater Hose
    After much debate (silicone etc) I have decided to just go with Gates Green stripe rubber... Thoughts?

    3. Heater Boxes
    I plan to deal with the filters while at it. Pull the boxes out and clean them up etc. Any special tests (pressure), repair or refurbishment to these while they are out? Any common weak points..?

    4. Heater Valves
    Anything special to check / service on these while at this..?

    Thanks for any advice....
     
  2. BNSC100

    BNSC100 Karting

    May 28, 2009
    127
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    Full Name:
    Michael
    #2 BNSC100, Jul 21, 2016
    So, I did some deeper digging.. Should have search deeper fisrt. Looks like some of you have used for the booster line:

    Aeorquip 1503-10 or Earls Prolite 350... Not being an expert, are these not AN type hoses and could be problematic in terms of fastening with a generic hose clamp... Breeze worm gear type that come with the Helms coolant hose kits...?
     
  3. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 20, 2012
    17,223
    Gold Coast, Aust.
    Full Name:
    Patrick
    #3 Ferraridoc, Jul 22, 2016
    1. Not an expert, but lots of threads, and it doesn't seem too critical, provided you replace with the proper rated hose.
    2. Gates Green Stripe seems to be the one most are happy with. I think it's a little thicker, which makes it stronger, but harder to slip through front to back. Mine went through OK, but the engine was out at the time.
    3. They're very strong - really just copper pipe with fins. I flushed mine with a garden hose on part open, and carefully blew out the fins with water (didn't have compressed air, but either way, be careful not to damage/bend the fins). I used a fine pair of needle nose pliers from and electronics store to straighten the fins up before re-installing the boxes. The filters will be dust - mostly what's clogging the fins. I replaced with standard aircon filter material.
    4. Mine seemed OK, but I fitted a "summer cut off valve" in the 3/4" line off the radiator hose. BTW, mid winter here and 28*C today, so I haven't felt the need to turn it on yet this winter! You could rig up a hose to check them while it's all apart, I guess.

    I also re-routed the 1/2" hose that runs behind the booster to the front for ease of access. The final bit was to fit air bleeder valves to the high points of the circuit, but ran out of mojo.

    Have fun.
     
  4. BNSC100

    BNSC100 Karting

    May 28, 2009
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    Michael
    #4 BNSC100, Jul 26, 2016
    For what it's worth, this is a hose I have had my eye on.

    Fragola 8,000 Series
    1/2 Inch
    The exterior look seems correct.

    It is pitched as a general purpose hose. Good for water, oil, fuel... I figure that if the interior got misted with oil from the plenum, by chance, it could handle that... Probably not rated to handle brake fluid, but I figure if fluid gets past the master cylinder and booster, into the hose, I will have bigger problems....

    It has a 28 inch vacuum rating, so I figure that is more then enough for these cars, yes?

    it is AN hose, but have been told by manufacturer that it will work fine with worm gear clamps for this purpose.

    The Aeroquip option mentioned here seems to be more difficult to find.. I found this on Summit Racing and the Fragola tech support said it should serve well for this purpose...

    Any reason to waive off from this?

    Link to site:
    Series 8000 Push-Lok General Purpose Hose | Fragola Performance Systems
     
  5. BNSC100

    BNSC100 Karting

    May 28, 2009
    127
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    Full Name:
    Michael
    #5 BNSC100, Jul 26, 2016
    In case of doubt, the above is meant to replace the long booster hose through the rocker channel..
     
  6. wildcat326

    wildcat326 Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2012
    1,803
    Chicago, IL
    Full Name:
    Justin
    #6 wildcat326, Jul 26, 2016
    I bought the OEM-style booster hose in 5m length from Superformance. Helped another f-chatter install it, and it's FAR stronger than OEM. Looks identical but has major steel mesh reinforement. That sucker's gonna last. About $100, and found in their brake menu.
     
  7. 308 milano

    308 milano F1 Veteran

    Jan 15, 2007
    5,328
    Montana
    Full Name:
    Kim
    #7 308 milano, Jul 26, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2016
    Installed the gates green stripe hose in my 82 last fall. Had the driver and passenger side gas tanks removed at the time. I personally wouldn't even attempt it without at least pulling the tank out of the way. Did both AC lines and Driver side coolant line. Lubed the new hoses up with Dawn dishwashing soap and pulled from the front end, Slid through very easy that way. Also installed the cloth booster hose but didn't have any issue sliding it through first.
     

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