Silly questions
 

Hiya, I am going to need to replace my lower radiator hose soon. Now the silly question is, do i need to get one of these from a specialist mustang store?, or can you just buy it from an auto supply store?. Can anyone recommend a place?. I live in Arizona. Also i am moving back to California in a month, following my dads work. This time i will be driving the beastie, instead of trailering it. Any hints on that?. Any special things i should check before i go highway driving for extended periods?. Thanks in advance for your help you guys!. Nicolette

ps: the new powersteering hoses went on without a hitch, she drives smooth and easy now. Could turn on a dime! :)

The only dumb question is a question unasked.

Your local autoparts store will have (or can get) a lower rad hose for you.

Long trip hey? Here's a few things I can suggest off the top of my head. I'm sure others will also help.

1) Check all fluids (rad,oil,brake,PS, Tranny, diff, etc)
2) Air up and inspect them tires (don't forget your spare)
3) Speaking of spares: Make sure yours is ready to go (and you've got a working jack etc)
4) When's the last time she had a tune-up? Now might be a good time.
5) Check that all your lights are working(headlights, signal, brake, etc)
6) Tunes.. can't forget the tunes.
7) Get any odities, weird noises, etc fixed before you go.

That's all I can think of for now. I'll post again if I can think of any others. Have a good trip!

Where to get the radiator hose
 

I am not sure if it matters that much, but I always buy my maintenance auto parts from Riebes/Napa auto. I have had nothing but good experiences with them and have used them considerably. They have good quality parts.

In addition to the other posts so far, I suggest:

If top hose is same age as bottom hose, you probably should change both. Heater hoses OK?

If cooling system hasn't been flushed for a while, do that before new hoses are installed, then refill with new new 50/50 mixture coolant after new hoses are installed.

Carry an extra couple quarts of oil. Oil prices enroute are usually pretty high. A 1 gal. jug of water would be wise also.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for all the great advice you guys! :D
Maroon, I think the top radiator hose is new, but i will carry a spare just incase. I have been putting off redoing the coolant, because i have no overflow container. and seeings it's ok to ask these funny quessies! ;) Can you even get these on the old stangs?. Where?. My 'stang just has an overflow pipe that made me think my radiator was leaking, till i figured it out! hehe! (How can you tell i'm new at this?!)
It's strange you should recommend Napa RDRZ, i have been looking around, and they seem to be the cheapest, and only place with rad hoses even in stock. Thanks for the tip!.
And Nitrous, i've copied your check list :D very handy!
I've been worried about this trip, because my beastie is notorious for those 'weird noises', so i may just need that luck! She's got pretty much new everything (like spark plugs, distributer cap, filters), that can be replaced, and has been reliable since i got her feb last year, so heres hoping! :)

nicolette - You can only learn by asking questions, we all had to ask questions at one time or other, even when we're pretty knowledgeble about cars. Just look at this board!

You state you have seen some coolant overflow... might want to check and make sure you have the proper rated radiator cap.

Thanks Maroon, you are so right! :)
The coolant overflow isn't from the radiator cap, but from a small black hose about 4 inches long that comes out the top of the radiator. My Dad informed me that it was an overflow hose, and suppposedly they go into overflow or recycling containers. But my 'stang didn't/doesn't have one. It only leaks a little if the car is very warm. At first the hose was trapped against the back of the radiator, so it used to dribble down it, making me think my radiator was stuffed. But once we found the hose and directed it down the side , the 'leaking' radiator stopped. Does your 'stang have one of those recycle containers?, do you know if mine is supposed to?
Thanks! , Nicolette

Nicolette - The release of coolant in the hose you speak of just below the radiator cap is controled by the pressure of the cooling system reacting with the release spring in the cap itself. Theses caps are designed to release at a certain pressure, thus the coolant out the hose. Different cars require different caps. The release pressure is printed on the cap.

I'm not sure if your car came with an over-flow bottle as standard equipment. Someone with your model car can come here and advise you.

Anyway, if you do want one, they can be purchased at your parts store and are fairly easy to install.

You sound cute. Got any pics? Nothing sexier than a Mustang Chick.

Nicollette, my advice is to use Gates radiator hoses. O'Reilly carries that brand. I've used those for many years and can vouch for their high quality. I think they do cost a little more, but quality is worth it. I got my overflow tank from PepBoys for my '66 coupe. It was very cheap ($10-15) and has worked well for several years. You ought to change the coolant every 2 years anyway. That's my $.02.

Rev

Thanks Maroon, i guess i'm showing my noviceness here huh?! ;)
I will definately check that out.
And Rev, thanks for the recommendation. I wasn't sure about the time on changing the coolent too. I ashamedly admit i havent changed mine since i bought the beastie Feb '01, and i am guessing it hasn't been touched before that too. So i shall do that before i head out on the highway! :)
Sorry no piccies other than that of my 'stang restridge! ;) but thanks! I am definately a mustang gal through and through.

I have a 67 coupe and i don't have an overflow container either. My overflow hose just runs down the side of my radiator and just points at the ground. I never really thought about it before but I suppose it should probably go to something. But thats why I read these strings, to learn about things I would never have thought of before. :D

Jason

I wanted to see what you look like, not your Mustang.

I'm pretty sure the '60s Stangs don't have the puke tanks for the coolant mixture to overflow into. They just have the hose that runs from the short filler neck along the top of the radiator and down the side of it and dumps to the ground.

I would replace both radiator hoses, the fan belt(s), the radiator cap, the t-stat, and the coolant before making your trip.

I would purchase a Stant pressure release cap (with the red handle) rated at 16 pounds.

I would buy a 180 degree t-stat, either from Ford, or any brand other than Stant. Stant makes great caps, but their t-stats suck.

I wouldn't install a coolant/water mixture that had any more than 30% coolant. Coolant retains heat, and a mixture containing more than 30% coolant isn't necessary unless you live near the Arctic Circle.

Where in California are you moving to?

Take care,
-Chris

Hey wow, thanks for all the info guys. Chris i hadn't even thought about the t-stat, thats a great idea!. And i'll be moving to Oceanside, CA.
6T9PONY thanks for ya input. I havent seen any tanks on '60's 'stangs either. Which i why i was asking! ;)
Jason , isn't it awesome how much you can learn on here?! i love it! :D