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I would loosen clamp at thermostat housing and slightly twist hose and see if the rubbing section will move away from the arm. Then tighten in new position. You could also try the same thing on rad. side. mike...
this is a way to cure the problem for good, Corvette or any old muscle car.....
I have to say you either have the incorrect hose, or it needs to be rotated to clear the alternator brace, and any other interference spots. Photos of my '69 with original aluminum radiator, stock alternator brace, etc.
This shows the clearance between the hose and the alternator brace:
What i have done before is make a cut on a 3/8 fuel hose down the middle from end to end and worked it over the top of the bracket. The apperance is more foregiving then hose on the hose.
Did same thing plus put a very big plastic flex thing around area of hose also. Not problem.
looks like the wrong radiator,or a least the wrong outlet coming out of it,my 68 has a 90 degree elbow coming off the radiator,which puts the hose in a different area,best of luck.
My upper radiator hose makes contact with the shroud. I will post a pic later. I have stuck on some sticky insulation to prevent damage to the hose. I really like that soup can idea!
Here is my point of contact. My shroud is probably wrong...
It seems like the hose can be twisted away from the point of contact, and then clamped down on the thermostat housing, and or the upper radiator connection. This should allow the arc of the hose shape bend to be positioned away from the point of contact.
Has anybody suggested that maybe the hose is the wrong shape?
The cars didn't have this problem when they were new. What components have changed in fit form or function?
Well, yes I did...
I have to say you either have the incorrect hose, or it needs to be rotated to clear the alternator brace, and any other interference spots.
It amazes me that we hear all the time about how a PO Bubba did something bad to a poster's car, then on this thread, we see Bubba is alive and well right here.
Come on guys, these cars didn't have problems like this when they were new, they just got mistreated, or shade tree fixed, or Bubba got loose on them and screwed things up royally!
My upper radiator hose makes contact with the shroud. I will post a pic later. I have stuck on some sticky insulation to prevent damage to the hose. I really like that soup can idea!
Here is my point of contact. My shroud is probably wrong...
Loosen the hose at the water outlet and twist the hose counter clockwise and see if that helps.......or go the other way at the other end...
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by mds3013
I would loosen clamp at thermostat housing and slightly twist hose and see if the rubbing section will move away from the arm. Then tighten in new position. You could also try the same thing on rad. side. mike...
Loosen that wingnut, turn the air cleaner cover a few degrees clockwise (when looking down from above), tighten down that wingnut, and you will be good to go!
I ended up buying a hose from a 77 and it didn't rub anywhere. I did have to shorten it about 1/2" but it fit great. I've changed my engine and radiator since, but it's still the same upper hose. I mention this because you can see a picture under "my covette pics" off to the left.
It's cheap to check and might solve your problem
Last edited by carriljc; Mar 27, 2011 at 12:33 PM.
Reason: checked on hose year = 77
Sometimes an upper radiator hose that starts rubbing when it didn't before, could be caused by failing front motor mounts. That happened to my with a '68 427. Changed the mounts - problem solved.
I had the same issue and i talked to someone who regularly works on C2's and C3's. He told me I needed a thermostat housing spacer. It raises the Thermostat housing some where between a quater to half an inch. But it was enough to clear everything. He said they used them on some big block cars. Corvette Central has them for 30 bucks. Worked for me.