Perplexing Radiator Hose Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Perplexing Radiator Hose Question
This has been bothering me for some time now. I replaced the hoses on my '79 last year and the old upper radiator hose had a rubber spacer in the end that attaches to the radiator. When I installed the new hose I had to use this rubber insert in order for the host to fit properly over the radiator inlet. Is this normal or do I have a radiator that is not made for my specific car? The new hose did not come with the insert and I had to use the old one to get the proper diameter to seal the hose to the radiator. I have never seen this before and was wondering if it was normal for Corvettes. I haven't looked at my build manual yet; probably should have, but thought this was a poor way to match the hose to the rad. Looking forward to your comments!
Bernie
Bernie
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
The only time I have seen these rubber / plastic reducers is with the flexible stainless metal radiator lines (not the stainless steel covered aircraft hoses). I have one of these reducers on my radiator. I drove the car all the way from Arizona to Kentucky and back, 12 hours per day for 6 days and had no problem. However, I did one 1/4 mile pass on the drag strip and blew the upper rad. hose going through the lights at the top end of the track.
So, I am going to reserve judgment if they are a problem or not.
So, I am going to reserve judgment if they are a problem or not.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Thanks for the information guys. I was afraid I had a mismatched radiator or the wrong hose. When I replace the rad. with an aluminum one, I will need to make sure the upper rad. inlet is the same size as the thermostat housing outlet and not have to use the reducer. Thanks again, now I don't have this nagging worry anymore.
Bernie
Bernie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
Funny that this topic should come up. I bought a replacement radiator for my '76 early this year and it also came with a small upper nipple that required a spacer. I have popped the upper radiator hose off three times just idling in the garage while working on the car. It last happened last Saturday and I noticed that when I took out the little rubber insert, it had been compressed very thin where the clamp sits. I think that this is why I've had so much trouble with it. I decided to try leaving it off completely and just clamping the hose itself onto the nipple. At this point, the rubber spacer was contributing almost no "extra" diameter anyway. We'll see how this works.
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 649
Likes: 2
From: Red Bank NJ
Replaced what I believe was the original radiator last year. Bought the replacement form general radiator supply. It also came with one of those rubber adaptors. Personally I don't like the idea. One more thing to go wrong. Blow a hose and loose the adaptor on a trip could be trouble. However, the car runs cool no over heating problems. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I can't believe this one has popped back up. I found a number for a replacement hose that I don't think needs the spacer to make it work but I don't have it handy. I will find it and post it tomorrow.
Bernie
Bernie