Hosed
Just replaced the x-hose on a 303. Major conflicts w/ cockpit drain. Granted it's a little Yanmar diesel, not the A-4 but, In My Un-informed Opinion, if the cloth needed to be asbestos, you have other problems to deal with. The system would be generating steam & fire instead of water out the exhaust. I needed a new strap when I replaced mine. I made a piece of strap by cutting the end off of one of those ratchet strap tie-downs. But that was what I had on hand at the time. Assume the tape to be meaningless. Not a check valve, but you may need a siphon break depending on the engine locacion in relation to the waterline (at max heeled). Of course if it has worked for the past 30 years, you may be well advised not to "fix" it. Follows is the ebay site of a supplier I had good luck with as far as hose and appropriate clamps. And being nice to those of us who are not entirely sure as to what it is we really need. http://stores.ebay.com/PowerTrack-Intl-Hose-Products Good luck and happy sailing, Thom
