I grabbed this pic off a very nice 68 in the "For Sale" section because it shows the issue that I have very clearly.



Just like this one, my upper radiator hose is rubbing against the alternator upper mounting arm. I hate to say it but the solution above is much neater than the one that I did with hose clamps and sheet metal. Is there a "correct" way to keep from rubbing through the hose? These bandaids look kind of Bubba to me but not as Bubba as standing on the side of the road, waiting for a flat bed.

 

Buy the correct shaped hose?

 

here's my bubba solution, check out the hose clamp... probably just the wrong hose... notice I don't have your bracket although mine is a 70..

make sure you have the correct hose and the correct bracket. If that is what matters to you.

 

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...

 

I have the correct hose as does the 68 above.

 

I know someone who put a soup can over that spot.

 

Also are you sure that you don't need a alternator belt that is an inch or two longer?
There's more than an inch between the belt and the hose on my 74 sb.

 

It's not so much the belt as the arm itself. It won't wear through the hose quickly but with the engine moving around, it will eventually.

 

I have a 77 and never had that problem. Some where evidently something is off or you may have an after market hose that was made in china instead of mexico. Seriously a lot of these new auto parts store stock items that are inter changable and may be off a few specs but will work. I would try NAPA for a hose. Other solutions are some hoses have wire inside them to keep the form and shape of the hose. This wire also keep the hose from collapsing. You will be surprised the difference in a part . I purchased a power steering hose for my silverado from auto zone and it was a pain installing. Few months later it leaked again, and I got one from o rileys and it was a breeze to install . They look the same but upon close exam a particular bend was a fraction off. So I have learned when something does not excatly work go else where. You should never have to custom fabricate somethings. Also sometimes when new radiators are used the previous owner could have went with an after market radiator that once again is interchangable. So the neck could be longer , shorter, with a curve less curve, like I said earlier something is off specs, it could even be the alt. bracket. You really need to take the time to look at the big picture and possibly see other engine bays same year, same engine and take a few measurement of their brackets, radiator neck, hoses and I gurantee you will hit the nail on the head without a bubba fix. rICHARD

 

Mike my 75 used to be exactly like that. Bubba had cut an old pipe and taped it in place over the hose making it double thickness.....double the time before it wore through! lol.

IIRC, there were subtle differences between supposedly the same hose from different manufacturers.

 

I solved my upper hose problem by installing a "swivel" thermostat housing. It may help.

 

I have the exact same problem on my '74....but now that I've installed a DeWitts rad and fans, I don't have my shroud there and can change to a differet shape hose....

 

Alternator bracket might be incorrect or alternator could be repositioned.

Hose in the pic looks like it could go a little further onto the radiator neck.

 

I may be looking at this crooked but - it looks like your alt belt is too long. A shorter belt would rotate the alternator toward the DS and lower the alternator bracket, lowering it away from the radiator hose.

 

I don't mean to be argumentative, but in my opinion that's not the right hose. I replaced my hoses a year and a half ago as part of a radiator replacement. Here is a picture of the upper hose:



This hose is available at auto parts stores, I have the part number in my records at home. I will post it tonight if anyone is interested

 

I know BOTH my 76 and 79 have a shield that protects the hose from the Belt in the area of the alternator ... BUT my 72 does NOT .. ???

The shield is small and I believe bolts on to the engine block...

But the easiest way is to just use a shorter or longer alternator belt which may or may not then interfere with adding fluid to the Power Steering pump on some models...

Bob G.

 

Once again... Buy another hose. Not a hard problem unless your are stubborn and sure your have the right hose. Obviously not. They make hoses in many different shapes and configurations. The hose you need would be easy to find.

 

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.

 

I bought one from Autozone and it doesn't rub. The old one did though.

 

That's a pretty clever idea.