First post on the site, and I've already found a lot of usefull information. Thank you.
I've got a 1973 Plymouth Duster with the 225ci 6 in it that I use as my daily driver. A few weeks ago my upper radiator hose exploded (sounded like a gunshot). I've got a Flex hose on there for now and have bought 2 new upper hoses, but when I go to install them they get a kink in the hose right where they turn down to meet the thermostat housing. I've seen one other /6 Duster with its hose kinked like this, and it kind of concerns me. I've learned in some of my classes that any kind of cylindrical pressure-containing item will fail if there is a kink or dent in it (I'm a mechanical engineering student at Cal Poly Pomona), and I'm pretty sure that this is what happened to my old hose. Are these hoses always kinked? Or is there some way to mount them to where they don't kink? The two hoses I have are molded to fit, one from AutoZone, the other from Kragen, and both kink as if they are too long. All parts involved are bone-stock (radiator, engine, thermostat housing, etc.).

The replacement upper hose are made longer then needed so they can cover more applications with the same hose.

Trim material off the hose in order to get a "kink-free" fit.
DD