Original hose discontinued and can’t find a hose that fits right and rated high enough temp. I don’t even know what the hose is called or used for. I was told some sort of smog hose. Any idea what it is and used for?

 

That is part of the AIR system. A pump on the front/driver side of the engine pumps fresh air into the exhaust manifolds on both sides of the engine. The pump runs for about 3 minutes at startup, and burns the excess fuel from the very rich cold start A/F ratio, and helps heat up the catalytic converters and O2 sensors faster so they start to work (600-degF).

The air is routed through metal pipes at the front of the engine, and there should be a short rubber elbow connecting the metal pjpe to the AIR "check valve" (the rusty conical part that you have the hose connected to). The problem appears to be that the check valve on your passenger side exhaust manifold is installed incorrectly, facing in the wrong direction. Or it is not the correct part.

The correct part, or correct orientation would have the connection for the rubber elbow at the front of the manifold, not facing toward the back of the manifold. Look at the check valve assembly on the driver side exhaust manifold to see what the rubber elbow looks like and how it connects to the check valve.. The elbow (or the hose if you leave the check valve facing in the wrong direction), does not need to be highly heat resistant. Only fresh air flows through the elbow/(hose).. The check valve prevents the exhaust gas from flowing outward, into the hose. If the hose has melted, it means the check valve is faulty and allowing the hot exhaust gas to flow into the rubber hose.

Diagrams from 1996 factory service manual attached. Should be same as1997. If you want to downoad a free copy of the factory service manual, courtesy of GaryDoug:

http://www.mediafire.com/?40mfgeoe4ctti

 

Shoebox has a photo of the 1995 check valves. Not sure if the part for the passenger side manifold is the same 1995 to 1997. But you can see the valve is facing forward and the rubber elbow connect to it.

http://shbox.com/1/diverters.jpg

 

thanks man I appreciate it. Lmk if you find any pictures of it or know where I could order the correct part. I’ve had this car for 8 years an have never found a solution. Great website