General cooling question - GM version

[patrick66]

My son owns a very nice '76 Buick Skylark with the 260/4.3L Olds V8 without air. He's had three occasions in which the upper radiator hose has blown clean off the radiator! The hose and neck are unharmed. And, yes, the clamp is super-tight. The hose is three years old, as is the aluminum radiator. The cap is a 15# piece, and the t-stat might be original to the engine. The are no gauges in this car, just idiot lights and fuel gauge, plus the speedo, of course.

Where I'm at on a diagnosis is either a faulty thermostat, a bad cap, or perhaps both. I'm replacing the thermostat and cap tomorrow, as well as a new house and clamps. I've got an aftermarket temperature gauge we're installing, too.

Any thoughts? My basic mechanicing skills are rusty, as of late.

 

[Big_John]

I'm going with the cap not releasing pressure and the engine getting a little hot. While I'm not one to tell people to throw parts at it, changing the t-stat and cap sounds like a plan to me. You still might want to check the old cap pressure and t-stat after to see if you got it.

Don't "super tighten" the clamp though. Just tighten.