Samco Silicone Coolant Hoses-Federal Cars

[algirdas]

Dear Federal Car Owners:

I recently purchased a set of Samco silicone hoses for my car knowing full well that the top and bottom main radiator hoses are unique to our cars and different from those found elsewhere. Plus I have read Dave M's excellent posting on the joys of making the set work with our Federal model cars (in short, "I feel your pain.").

With that in mind, I took the liberty of contacting James at Amber Performance and asking him what it would take for Samco to make a set of molds (moulds) for us and our Federal car top and bottom main radiator hoses. He believes that he could convince Samco to make the molds (moulds) if he were to have orders for 15 sets of hoses (a set consisting of one top and one bottom). Then Samco would have the moulds (moulds) for future use.

In order to facilitate this endeavor, I would be willing to send my spare radiator hoses to James for him to use in his discussions with Samco. When I bought my car, I bought a spare top and bottom radiator hose in the event something unpleasant were to happen on the drive from Florida to Colorado. I have not had to use these hoses so I would be willing to loan them to Amber Performance to help us with this.

Furthermore, I would be willing to purchase the first two sets so all we would need in order to make this happen is 13 more sets purchased.

No word on price just yet. I will get that once I get a read on whether or not this is feasible.

Please let me know if you are interested.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Doug]

possibly -- depends on price

[nitroman]

Cound me in for 2 sets, not the complete hose package as currently offered, as I have already ordered one; just 2 sets (like yourself) of the unique Federal hoses.

Also, thank you Algirdas, for going the extra mile!

[TheBard]

I'd seen Dave's post before ordering my set which arrived on Friday... If only this post had come sooner.

Now to figure out where they all go

Ian

[algirdas]

Dear Ian:

I'm in much the same boat as you. I have a full Samco set for a UK car. I'm hopeful that the cost of the Fed ones will not be too steep and that there may be an owner or two in the UK who might want a spare.

I'm at a stage in my life where I am trying to reduce complications.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[nitroman]

Where is Dave's post? What have I gotten myself into now?

[TheBard]

When reading Dave's posts last night it looked like we could effect the change by cutting the UK pipe and clamping it to either end of the long metal pipe...

Now obviously I have no idea what I am doing, so aside from the risk of mis-cutting the pipe, what did I miss? Because if it gets too complex I may need to order the extra pipework too (dependant on cost).

Ian

[algirdas]

Dear Matt:

Dave M's write up is here http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... &start=280. The issue arises out of our radiators being canted which requires slightly different top and bottom main radiator hoses. After I saw Dave M's post and I received my hose kit from Amber Performance, I figured I would inquire to see what it would take to get the right hoses made for us. If the price (still unknown) and the minimum quantity required (15 sets) is reasonable, then having the right hoses made for our cars may be worth the effort.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Matt RI]

Algirdas,

I ordered and received a set of the original UK hoses. I have not tackled the replacement project yet, so if the cost is reasonable I could see purchasing the Fed Specific hoses and saving the trouble of messing about to make the UK ones fit. So yes- I would most likely take one. Thanks for looking into this!

[algirdas]

All:

I spoke with James this morning and, for planning purposes, he suggests budgeting 20-30 GBPs per hose. He suspects it probably will be less, but without seeing the hoses, he can't give us a more definitive quote. I did ask him for a "not to exceed estimate".

On a more positive note, he misunderstood what it is that we are trying to accomplish and there no longer is a 15 set minimum. If it is just the top and bottom main radiator hoses that are unique to our cars, then they are willing to get the moulds made for those unique hoses without a 15 set minimum.

So this weekend, I will get my spares out and compare them to the ones from the UK kit as well as the ones on the car (as well as the part numbers) and if the spares appear to be the right ones, then I will pack them up and ship them off to Amber-Performance and await a more specific quote. If the price is reasonable ($23 for a top radiator hose for a Toyota Van by way of comparison) and I will probably go for it even if it is just me and they are okay with quantity one (or possibly two).

That way the moulds will be available for everyone else whenever the need or desire arises as well as there being a Fed-spec kit for purchase by Elan owners in the future.

After giving it some thought, I probably would spend half that amount or more in cobbling together the modifications needed to get the UK hoses to fit. Then there is the hassle factor. And the right hose is a cleaner installation (i.e. do it right the fiirst time). Plus, by cobbling together the UK hoses, I would be adding more joints that could cause problems for me just outside the thriving metropolis of Meeteetse, Wyoming.

All thoughts, comments and ideas are welcome.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[TheBard]

Based on that rough pricing, and my experience with James in the past, I'd say that convinces me to be a "Yes please", so if you end up just ordering 1 or 2 for yourself, make it a 3

As you say, adding two new bits of pipe that will drop straight in makes more sense than carving up the UK hoses... and if you've already a UK set (like me) then you can keep the UK parts as a spare for the future.

Cheers
Ian

[algirdas]

Dear Ian:

Okay, we are up to three. As this progresses, I'll need to find out from you your choice of color.

The UK hoses in our kits that we cannot use, I will probably sell, trade-whatever-to a club member in the UK or elsewhere so long as they go to a good home and appreciative member. I'm not sure if they are worth keeping as spares.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[TheBard]

Ah, I forgot the vital colour choice (is it color for US hoses?)

That'll be Red please

[Matt RI]

Green for me... It would be good to match the rest of the set!

Good idea you have for your use for the soon to be "spare" hoses...

Thanks again- I will be looking forward to your reply from James.

[nitroman]

Make it The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse then, in red of course!

[algirdas]

All:

I'm attaching pictures of the two offending hoses. Please take a gander at them and let me know if I got things right or wrong.

If I got them right, I will be boxing them up and shipping them off to the UK in a week or so, work permitting.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[algirdas]

All:

More pictures.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[nitroman]

Well, the charge from Amber Performance is on my CC bill. Magically they've managed to charge me another 60-GBP, so it will be interesting to see the itemized amount. If that's all carriage then I expect the item to arrive tomorrow!

If removing all the rubber "air" hose from both my Elans is any indication though, it is that I really have no choice but to buy new hose... it's not meant to last forever after-all.

[algirdas]

Dear Matt:

It BETTER NOT be for the two unique Federal hoses. If it is, then Jimbo's "got some 'splainin to do."

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[nitroman]

No, I bet they still charged me VAT; that's my guess. People are used to doing the same repetitive task over & over, and are wonderful robots. However they don't listen or think very well.