If the temp gauge reads normal and the engine is not overheating, this is normal. The system is designed to hold 15-17 psi of pressure (whatever the radiator cap is set for). This pressure will make the hoses feel hard.
drain the radiator down below the top hose and unhook the hose from the radiator and the engine and pull the hose off.
The top radiator hose is above the thermostat. If the top radiator hose is hot, the thermostat is opening. The thermostat is not the problem. Perhaps the radiator is clogged up or the water pump is bad. Look elsewhere.
"Sounds like the thermostat is stuck open." Did it used to?
Look on top of the radiator and follow the hose from the radiator to the thermostat housing. Look on the bottom of the radiator and follow the hose up to bottom of the block.
Upper is hose connected to top of radiator, lower is hose connected to bottom of radiator.
1. Open the radiator cap. 2. Disconnect the top radiator hose. 3. Run the engine for a couple of minutes with the hose off. 4. Insert tap water hose into the radiator where the top hose should be. 5. Run water into the radiator until clear water comes out of the radiator top hose. 6. Continue idling the engine, remove the tap water hose from the radiator, shut off engine as soon as the water stops coming out of the top water hose of the radiator. 7. Reconnect top water hose and fill radiator with antifreeze. Start engine and top off antifreeze.
Look on top of the radiator and follow the hose from the radiator to the thermostat housing. Look on the bottom of the radiator and follow the hose up to bottom of the block.
The radiator hose which I assume you mean although you write rad, is connected to the radiator. One on the top of the radiator and one on the bottom. the one on the top
The thermostat has not opened yet.
At the to of the radiator.
If you are referring to the upper radiator hose, then there is a spring inside the hose that keeps it from collapsing over time. It is normal and is intended to be there, so DO NOT REMOVE IT!
...probably between the engine and the radiator intake (the hose at the top of the radiator), probably mounted right on the engine. It shouldn't be hard to find, just trace the hose back from the radiator to the engine, where it couples into the engine that is where you should find the thermostat.