Steam Coming from Coolant Hoses?

[joelittel]

This morning while warming up the car I noticed what looked like steam coming from the coolant hoses, specifically the ones that pass over the exhaust side of the engine and connect to the pipe below the header.

It was cold out this morning, but there was no moisture on any engine parts when I did my initial inspection. What do you guys make of this?

The picture does not show any smoke or steam but it will give you a clear idea of where I saw it coming from.

Also, moisture seems to form on the heater pipe just below the headers while I'm warming the car up. The picture is too dark to show this pipe clearly but it's the one that runs the length of the engine and connects to what I think is the water pump.

I suppose this moisture could be expected because it's cold outside and the fluid in the pipe is hot, but if this is not how it should be I'd rather fix it now (before my wife reclaims the car as hers in the spring).

[baltobernie]

I think you're zeroing-in on the right item. That half-inch or so OD heater pipe is steel, and they do decay over time. On mid-year cars, there's a nipple on this pipe for the carb water choke. It's often capped, particularly when using a different carb. It also should be supported by a tab which resembles a cable clamp. Sometimes it gets lost or ignored, and the entire length of the heater pipe is free to vibrate. A common vulnerable location is the flange at the water pump.

OR, it could just be the rubber hose chafing against the header.

[joelittel]

I'm going to keep a close eye on that whole area. I'd like to replace all the coolant hoses and heater pipes anyway so this may be just the reason I was looking for.