lower radiator hose rubbing
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
lower radiator hose rubbing
this is a new lower hose on my 71 BB, it is a gates hose. is there any other that fit better? it rubs the lower cross member. this can't be right.
this is what the previous owner had. it looks Bubba but it did not rub the lower frame at all.
this is what the previous owner had. it looks Bubba but it did not rub the lower frame at all.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I have the same problem with my 73 454. I checked the AIM manual and found that the lower radiator hose is shown with 3 pieces.
I needed a lower radiator hose because the A/C belt was rubbing on it and it was ready to break.
When I went to the parts store, they asked me if I wanted the upper lower radiator hose, or the lower radiator hose. I was confused as to what they meant. So I went home and looked at my manual. Instead of the 1 piece unit like I have on my car, I found that the diagram showed an approx. 8" piece then a pipe of some type, followed by an approx. 12 inch piece of hose. Since my lower hose had obviously been replaced earlier, it may have been replaced with a non A/C car radiator hose. If your car has A/C, then the hose that you show in your photo may be correct.
I solved my problem by installing a new non A/C hose, and using a slightly smaller A/C belt to remove the rubbing problem.
summary: your question may not be a Bubba fix, but a GM fix.
kdf
I needed a lower radiator hose because the A/C belt was rubbing on it and it was ready to break.
When I went to the parts store, they asked me if I wanted the upper lower radiator hose, or the lower radiator hose. I was confused as to what they meant. So I went home and looked at my manual. Instead of the 1 piece unit like I have on my car, I found that the diagram showed an approx. 8" piece then a pipe of some type, followed by an approx. 12 inch piece of hose. Since my lower hose had obviously been replaced earlier, it may have been replaced with a non A/C car radiator hose. If your car has A/C, then the hose that you show in your photo may be correct.
I solved my problem by installing a new non A/C hose, and using a slightly smaller A/C belt to remove the rubbing problem.
summary: your question may not be a Bubba fix, but a GM fix.
kdf
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
where can you get the factory hoses, mine is a big block with factory air. I looked in the normal catalogs and they did not list the lower hose in 2 pieces so I thought it was Bubba
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
I'm sure Dr. Rebuild has correct replacements. You can take your two original pieces to the local autopart store and ask if you could look at their inventory of hoses and pick some out with similar bends. You might need to buy two and cut off the bends that work for you.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
Originally Posted by gator79
any shorter and it would not reach the radiator.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Foxfield, Co
Dr Rebuild has them if you already have the metal part. See hoses Y & Z
http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/RAD-HOSE1.PDF
http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/RAD-HOSE1.PDF
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
i used to work in a rad shop, and it was very common for vette guys to have us raise the location of the lower outlet pipe to add clearance. we also used to remove the oil cooler and seal the tanks for more capacity and flow!
