Not the best of days

[Flyingthere]

Elmo and I found the short crankcase hose was leaking and needed to be replaced. Not to worry I ordered one from Vicks at the same time I tried to order an accelerator hose only to find they were not in stock and not due anytime soon. Not a problem I then ordered the cable from IAP, a little over $8.00 and the shipping a little over $10.00, what a deal.

Anyway the Vicks box arrived, next day, and the hose did not look correct and to my surprise the pipe shaped hose was not correct and in fact when I call Vicks I was told it is “the replacement” not only was it not the correct size, length wise, the ID of the hose was half a centimeter smaller than the OD of the fitting it is intended to fit on. I do not know if you have had the pleasure of replacing this hose but I will say it is a real challenge and that is being a politically correct as I can manage.

Elmo and I looked at the hose and headed for the auto parts store looking for something that would get the car running again. I pulled the old, original 30 y/o hose when the replacement arrived, so we had a good sample to try to copy. We found a heater hose that was a unique shape but one end looked perfect. Well $20.00 later we cut the hose and made our best efforts to get it on the car. First we stretched it a little to make it easier to get on in the less than abundant space between the dip stick, manifold and alternator. We actually got it on both ends, just never both at the same time and the car is sitting waiting to see if I can in find the correct hose that will hopefully install with little difficulty, kind of like one would expect from the proper replacement part.

After giving up and cleaning up we pushed the car back into its slot in the back of the garage and went into the house. The package from IAP had arrived and we were excited that we could actually accomplish something today. I pulled the cable out of the package only to realize it was the wrong cable.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving all of the parts houses are closed and we are going to enjoy family and eat well, next week I hope to get my car back on the road. We had winter last week with a little frost on the roof. I expect we will have a few more days but for now it is in the 70s and 80s, and clearly the best time to be driving one of the most wonderful little cars, and for that I give thanks.

So does anybody have any leads on the little hose and tips as to installing it?

[racydave]

I found a bastard hose in my junk stuff, and it was a tight fit. Had to loosten the trap and rotate it to fit both ends.

[mdrburchette]

Sorry for what you're going through. I fear it won't get any better since maintenance parts for our cars seem to be disappearing! I went through the same thing when I replaced the radiator hoses on my 1608. IAP sent hoses that should've fit but after cutting them and cussing, I found Vick's had the proper hoses. When I had to replace the fuel filler hose, I found the same diameter hose on a GM truck that would work and was able to get two out of the one. You could try some of our other vendors, like Bruce's Parts Bin or Midwest 124.

[Flyingthere]

Racydave to loosen it I found one bolt on top that has about a 1/4' clearance between it and the intake, is that the only bolt? And did you loosen it just enough to move it?

Mdrburchette, thanks for the info I did not know of Midwest however now have an email into them. I also have Orion’s looking and I will check with Bruce's parts bin and IAP on Friday.

I know that when this repair is complete we will look back and laugh but for the time being I am really sure where this is going. I may end up with a long loop of tube if all else fails.

Yes it looks like parts are becoming an issue. I guess we need to begin exploring engine and transmission options for the future, just a thought.

[TulsaSpider]

Also try Bayless, in their catalog they say they have the correct part. I believe they have the largest selection of parts, and they sell used parts as well . I just had a tussel with mine as I found it was leaking. I decided to try a clamp first. It was a booger to get on!! But it seemed to have stopped the leak!! Good luck!!

[racydave]

yes

[Flyingthere]

Thanks guys, I know I will find the correct part and it will slip in just like it should .

Oklahoma what part of the state are you in, I get up to Ok city once a year.

[TulsaSpider]

I am in Tulsa, so far I haven't found another Spider in town. I do know of a couple in OKC though.

[Flyingthere]

FOUND THE HOSE, Midwest 124 came through I had an email from him Thursday and had it on order within minutes on his website. He sent me an email and told me he would send it to day and I should have it in a few days. Hopefully it will slip on with ease.

[mdrburchette]

That's great to hear. Let us know if it's the correct hose. I'll be building two engines this winter and it sure is easier to replace that hose when the engine's out of the car.

[ga.spyder]

I get to fight with the long hose from the trap to manifold! I noticed a little oil on my cam cover ,gave the hose a little jiggle...and it broke in 2 in my hand.I hope someome has the proper hose because that thing has an odd shape!!
Craig

[Flyingthere]

Craig I really had great success with midwest124.com. Good luck and let me know if you find a new source for parts. I am going to update my webpage new links I have found and would like to have all of the resources available in a simple list. It is also nice to have the list available when I am stuck in the office and need to order something.
And yes I am kicking myself for not replacing the hose when I had the engine out of the car. Lessons learned.

[Flyingthere]

The new crank case hose arrived yesterday and was on in 15 minutes. I have learned from this to aways ask if the part is a replacement. Our vendors try to take care of our needs however sometimes it is important to educate myself about the part. It is like having a tool that works or having the correct tool for the job. Thanks to you guys my vendor resource list has grown and finding that OEM part is less of a challange, Thanks.

[mdrburchette]

That's great to hear! Thanks for the update.

[ga.spyder]

My hose came in today from Vicks.It is the longer hose from the trap to the f.i. plenum.It was a formed hose and a perfect fit,and even came with the heat wrap on it.It is a tight area and even worse with my big arms and meathooks! Got it installed ,cranked the car...wouldnt start. Finally fired and it was running on 3 cylinders.Poked around and found I had knocked off the wire to the #4 injector.Got it reconnected ,ran great so I decided to run to the end of the street(it had warmed all the way to 46 deg ).Came flying around a blind corner and missed Bambi and her mother by inches!!! WOW.Took her home and covered her up...enough excitement for one evening.
Craig