for silicon hoses? I can't remember ever changing the hoses on my original Mini and this will probably get even less hammering. Any thoughts on replacements for the by-pass hose?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I don't know how good silicon hoses are but I know how much of a pain in the arse replacing a bypass hose is. If you've got the head off do it as good as you can. Otherwise there will be alot of swearing .

Hahaha, no. Good for Bling bling more than any other reason.

I did get one of those kevlar reinforced bypass hoses for between the head and the block though from my last minispares order cos it was pretty cheap.. Saying that the last bit one was heater hose and lasted ten years....

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I've done the bypass on my moke once, used tie clips (the screw metal type not plastic) and a fuel hose cut to size (forget diameter size).

Fuel hose was much easier to bend then the bypass hose I bought which was stiff as and damn impossible to fit.

Got the fuel hose, whacked some vasoline on the ends and it fitted quick smart.

Was still going strong when I sold the car.

Shard

I know - been there done that more than once , hence as the head is getting changed over I tought new hoses all round. By-pass hose is 4 times the price for silicone

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Those silicon hoses certainly look bling but are they really worth all the extra dollars you have to pay, when they can fail on you, just the same as a standard one. The bypass hose doesn't even get seen.......suppose you could see it if it was blue.

Most people would agree that you use a piece of heater hose when the head is about to go back on and that will last years.

However, if you have the $$$$ and want the look, go for it. I must admit, they do look pretty 'schmick' don't they.

Just my 2 cents worth - hooroo

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Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/

Wouldn't you just weld up the head/blank the water pump these days???

Can't say that i have used a bypass hose for a loooong time

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Cheap, Fast, Reliable. Choose two.

I forgot to refit the bypass every single time the head came off so I've got a silicone hose just there - its the only thing flexible enough to fit with the head on and you cant see the ugly blue colour back there anyway.

BTW a silicone bypass hose cant really be reused - the hose clamp just slides off it if you try to refitt a previously used lenght of hose (in my experience atleast).

Bypass hose is there for a reason- it allows water to circulate thru the head/block before the thermostat opens.
Metros didn't have it, but they had a sandwich plate/bypass jigger below the thermostat.
If running a Mini with no bypass, KC says drill a few 1/8" holes in the thermostat.
<edit> I'm a member of the flat earth society- I put bypasses in Metro heads....

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

And theyre the good brass ones too from what I've seen - so they wont rust out and crumble into your waterways.