after my 89 4.9L gets to normal operating temp, the upper radiator hose feels like it has a lot of pressure in it. you cant even squeeze the hose at all. the water temp gauge reads normal. is this radiator hose pressure normal?

 

Pressure in the cooling system @ operating temp. is normal. The radiator cap takes care of this. Do not try the old school method of loosening the cap halfway to relieve pressure. Keeping the system under pressure, also keeps it from boiling over.

The boiling point raises as the pressure goes up. That is why removing the cap when the system is hot will give you an instant boilover.

If you're concerned that the cap is holding too much pressure on the cooling system, have a shop check the operating pressure of the system and the release pressure of the cap.

SL