Fabricating hoses

So I'm hooking up the vac system on my 308GTSi, eliminating some un-needed bits; I have a couple of examples where I need a gentle S-bend, one where I need two 90s close together.. I've fabricated hoses using copper plumbing elbows (I know, inelegant, but enough to get going). Is there some way to permanently build in a bend without flattening the hose?

Tx for any suggestions!

Hi Pete,

depending on size, generally "BundyFlex" universal brake line is a good option for making bent or curved steel tubes or if something bigger is required Moroso makes Aluminum tubing that forms easily.

JRV, thank you! I should have been clearer that I was talking about 1/2" and 5/8" rubber hose. I will try the Moroso route.

This is probably well known, and that I offer it illustrates how little I know about bending tubing, but I use to fill the tube with sand before bending to prevent collapse of the tube at the bend.

Jim S.

James, I'm not so sure it's well known, but I have used it years ago when fabricating exhaust pipes. When I have a moment, I might try it with the rubber hose... fill with sand and apply boiling water. I have used the hot water trick to fix a pump connexion at my place up north.

Thanks for the reminder!

Pete, rubber hose bending? Gates makes striaght rubber hose with a strong wire rod insert molded in (in many sizes) that is designed to be bent to shape & then cut to lenght.

Go the the Gates Hose website and search under Industrial or Special Appl.

Regards, JRV

I know Gates makes about every type specialty rubber hose known to man, see if you can ferret out what you need from here:

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...ocation_id=541

For silicone hose of evey size I use Federal!

JRV, again, tx! I'll try Gates. FWIW, I have in a past life, found that a Ford Taurus lower rad hose, trimmed, is a perfect fit for a lower rad hose on the 330 series....