Hi I have a 1986 Firebird Trans Am and seem to be having cooling trouble, I recently replaced the thermostat with a 160* thermostat and the car no longer over heats, however the upper radiator hose is real stiff. The engine is a 305 carbuerated, any advice or help is greatly appreciated

 

I'm not too sure what you're getting at, but maybe you should just replace the hose. It isn't very expensive and only takes a few minutes. And by the way, I think 160* can actually be too cold in some cases. A 180* is usually a safer choice. I could be wrong though.

 

I have concluded that the radiator cap is bad but would this have anything to do with the upper hose being real stiff while the car is running

 

If the hose is hard to squeeze when the motor is up to temperature, that is normal. There should be about 15 pounds of pressure in the system. If the hose is haed to squeeze when the motor is cold, replace it.