71corv

I am replacing the 2 hoses on my 71. No problem with the upper, but the lower is giving me fits. Have not been able to get the new lower hose attached. Any suggestions/ advise is appreciated. Thanks,

Gene

thb72

Hi Gene





What size motor do you have?
Which end of the hose is a problem?

Jud Chapin

You don't really say what the problem is but assuming you have the right hose, try a dab of grease on the insides of both hose ends.

Easy Mike

FWIW: try the radiator end first, then the water pump end. Keep things loose until the hose fits without any kinks.

mikem350

As said, use grease or WD40. You may have to get at the rad clamp from under the car depending on the engine/rad.

The hose may need to be trimmed so it does not rub the chassis.

71corv

Thanks for the help. Had to cut the old hose at each end to remove it. Thought I could install the new one by pushing it into place. Can't get it turned correctly to go onto the radiator inlet. Have removed the sway bar and in the process of removing the fan shroud. Looks like I can now work the hose to fit. May loosen the trans lines at the radiator. Car is a 71 coupe, small block with THM 400 and A/C. Hasn't been on the road for quite a few years but still turns over. Again, thanks for the help.

Gene

yyz1970

I warmed my lower rad hose with a hair drier
made it more cooperative (bendable)

71corv

Great idea. Thanks.

Gene

JimT

It is a tough bend to get the hose on. I seem to remember greasing the ends and then trying to work both ends of the hose at the same time.
But that was several years ago.......
Good luck!

Condo_454C3

I had to install it rad side first and trim the pump side quite a bit on my new hose. It still rests right up against the frame but no kinks or leaks so it'll do

71corv

Have the hose on but it still has a kink in it. Will probably trim it some and see what happens. Don't want to trim to much and ruin the hose. Probably do a 1/4 inch at a time.

Gene

Blue73Shark

Gene - I had to cut a little off at a time to get the hose on my A/C equipped 73. Make sure the A/C fan belt does not hit/rub against the hose when the engine is running.
Ask me how I know
Fran

gluvnaa

I just replaced my 69 L46 hoses last weekend.
The lower is a PITA. I did the radiator side first and kept the water pump side as free and movable as possible.
The hose kept kinking when trying to slide on. It was very frustrating! Eventually, when it slide down far enough to the stopping point the kink went away. There wasn't any soft spots or twists when I attached the water pump side.

But, it was very annoying. Stick with it and good luck!

cobrachuck

Just did my 75 had to trim both ends & use small amount of lube on inside.

thegazman

Attach the hose to the radiator from under the car making sure it's on the radiator where you want it. Then you can trim a little off of the top without fear of being too short.

71corv

Thanks to all for the help. I think we are all on the same page with the lower hose. As was stated above, I had the radiator end on as far as it would go, but still had the kink half way to the pump. Just going to take time.


Gene

J.D.78

I just had my radiator out. This is my 1st vette. Went thru the wtf stage getting lower hose back on. I see now it's not just me Lol

Factor

ah... yes...radiator hose...just had this SAME issue last month!

all the suggestions are great guys! and everyone was a HUGE help with mine!

YES...need to get the correct fitting hose from supplier...BUT even those have issues...

big thing is lower radiator hose SHOULD have the spring in it...most off-brands do not have these, but the correct one from vette supplier should have it...(zip #M-2434)...the repro or local parts place typically do not have the spring. it is suggested to use the original-this did not make sense to me b/c that stupid thing is like 45 years old and is a POS...

what I did was get the 3 piece lower set from ZIP Corvette
part #s
M-2937
M-2936
M-2935

this has the metal sleeve in the middle that attaches a front hose to it, and rear hose to it AND has the spring in the rear hose...was the easiest to fit AND appears to be the best solution overall.

It is for a BBC, but I was told it will fit the SBC...that is mainly the call you will have to make to ZIP to find if the sizes are same (they will measure it for you there before you buy).

AND I used vaseline to help get on and provide a seal...advised to me by old school mechanic AND 30+ yr pool guy.

all the best!
Ron

71corv

Thanks for the info, Factor. Will stop by Zip Products and talk to them about this should I not be able to get the kink out.

Gene

Factor

Good luck! This coupling configuration was the only thing to get that I was satisfied with for flow...

If you call Zip ask for Tom or Justin in Sales...they are a huge help!

R