Coolant hose kits for tii, silicone vs standard?

[gambitpaul]

Time to refresh all the cooling system on my '74 tii. Looking at the complete silicone kit from Ireland vs the kit from Blunt. It looks like the Ireland kit is more complete with the return pipe but I am not sure if the silicone is the right choice. Does it hold up, leak free, just as well? Also wondering if they are too shiny. I did some searching but only found pics of the blue set, I would get the black ones. Does anyone have a picture of them installed?

 

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Thanks for your responses.

Paul

[AceAndrew]

Look ... there is no wrong or right choice on this.

 

2/3 of the people on here will probably say rubber, because its original and it's worked for fifty plus years.  and they're right.

 

1/3 of the people, myself included, will say black silicone because it looks cleaner, modern rubber aint what it used to be, and it lasts longer.... and I'm/they're right.

 

 

My estimation of the ratio would have been 50/50 prior to 2017-ish when an influx of people began to view the 2002 as an asset.  Again, no chip, just being straight forward.

Edited April 21 by AceAndrew

[Mike G]

I’m on year four or five with the silicone set from IE with no issues. I don’t think it’s too shiny but I don’t detail my engine bay after every drive either. This pic was the first year I installed, doesn’t look any different now. 

[visionaut]

I’ve been running Samco silicone hoses in mine since 2006. They last forever…

[bergie33]

I bought the IE silicone set for my tii. Haven't installed yet. I do think they are a little too shiny.  I did some research and dulled them down a bit using baking soda and water and a little rubbing.  They look more like regular rubber now.

[gambitpaul]

8 hours ago, Mike G said:

I’m on year four or five with the silicone set from IE with no issues. I don’t think it’s too shiny but I don’t detail my engine bay after every drive either. This pic was the first year I installed, doesn’t look any different now. 

 

 

Thanks for showing your engine bay. I don't plan to detail either which is why I was worried they would stand out too much.

I like your valve cover paint.

[gambitpaul]

9 hours ago, AceAndrew said:

Look ... there is no wrong or right choice on this.

 

2/3 of the people on here will probably say rubber, because its original and it's worked for fifty plus years.  and they're right.

 

1/3 of the people, myself included, will say black silicone because it looks cleaner, modern rubber aint what it used to be, and it lasts longer.... and I'm/they're right.

 

 

My estimation of the ratio would have been 50/50 prior to 2017-ish when an influx of people began to view the 2002 as an asset.  Again, no chip, just being straight forward.

That is what I guessed. Thanks.

[gambitpaul]

1 hour ago, visionaut said:

I’ve been running Samco silicone hoses in mine since 2006. They last forever…

That's what I am hoping for.