Heater Duct 'Hose'?

[r1lark]

Anyone recently purchased the 4" heater duct hose from SI for the underseat heaters? How did their replacement compare with the original as far as appearance? Any issues or concerns with the functionality of the replacement duct hose?

[gordr]

The new stuff has a heavy vinyl coating on the wire spiral. The old stuff was tarred fabric. The new stuff is vastly better. I don't think any authenticity point should be deducted for using the new stuff, since the OEM stuff is unavailable, anyway.

[41 Frank]

I put that type of vinyl hose on my GT Hawk in about 1994 and it still looks like new and the functionality has not suffered. I have never lost any points for it either.

[r1lark]

Not really concerned with authenticity as much as staying away from something that looks/feels like thin floppy dryer exhaust hose.

[52hawk]

I bought it from SI,and was a little surprized by how sturdy it is.

[CHIEF BLAZE]

Just finished installing mine from S.I. Good stuff. The 6ft. they sell will be more than enough. Screw type dryer clamps (Lowes & others) work well and are superior to the original spring clamp types. Just a thought: if your duct hose was really bad, check inside the remaining steel duct to the floor heater for debris. Found quite a bit in mine. If you order defroster hoses they will be of the same material.

C/B

[63 R2 Hawk]

That same type hose is often used between the air cleaner and Paxton inlet on R2 hawks and Larks. It holds up well under the hood, withstands the temp and intake suction.

[Champ51]

SI's hose looked OK, but not like the original, however the piece they shipped was too short and I ended up using a similar black vent hose that I got at my local FLAPS. It looks the same as theirs.

[JoeHall]

I have used the SI hose. It is durable and good looking, but does not look like OEM. Most important (to me), I doubt it will flow anywhere near as many air CFM as the original.
IMHO, air flow is important for the marginal heating system.

The OEM is smooth inside, where the SI hose is deeply corrugated by the spun wire. The corrugations cause the air to tumble and slow down. It is about like installing a corrugated exhaust system, and I doubt anyone would seriously consider doing that.

[rockne10]

I'm surprised Dean's piece was too short. I've always had leftover. Stretching the hose out eliminates the corrugation and supplies plenty to be cut off for another use.

[52-fan]

That type of hose should be available or can be ordered at most FLAPS. It is still used on big trucks.

[Son O Lark]

My experience with OEM hose was that it would get wet and cause fogging in the car. The car was a daily driver.

[Frank DuVal]

I just replaced the hose on my 50 Commander. I used what I had on the shelf, 4" vinyl from Clark's Corvair Parts. The length was perfect for the long run, when I cut off a section for the short run through the inner fender. This stuff is probably the same as you get from SI, and it lasts for years in Corvair use. Much longer lasting than the OEM fabric style.

[hausdok]

That type of hose should be available or can be ordered at most FLAPS. It is still used on big trucks.

What is FLAPS? Is that an acronym for something?

[Warren Webb]

What is FLAPS? Is that an acronym for something?

Friendly Local Auto Parts Store