lower radiator hose removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 151
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lower radiator hose removal
hey guys, just removed my water pump for replacement and want to replace the lower radiator hose. Whats the best way to remove it from the radiator? should i jack the car up and go in from the bottom, or can you remove the front wheel and access it? its a 72 small block. thanks. Don
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
hey guys, just removed my water pump for replacement and want to replace the lower radiator hose. Whats the best way to remove it from the radiator? should i jack the car up and go in from the bottom, or can you remove the front wheel and access it? its a 72 small block. thanks. Don
You get the best angle from under the nose. You'll have to jack up the car to take the wheel off...but why the extra effort. Just slide under the car, unscrew the clamp, and coax the hose off. Don't let the fluid get all over you...use a catch pan to catch the fluid.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I replaced the lower radiator hose on my 73 454. I jacked up the car to get clearance, and crawled underneath to get access to the hose. Once all the fluid was out from the drain plug at the radiator bottom, I then started to pull off the hose or pry it off. If you are going to replace it, you might score or cut the end to make the job easier.
As Durango_boy mentioned, keep another bucket handy, because there will be residual fluid still coming out of the hose.
kdf
As Durango_boy mentioned, keep another bucket handy, because there will be residual fluid still coming out of the hose.
kdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
I replaced the lower radiator hose on my 73 454. I jacked up the car to get clearance, and crawled underneath to get access to the hose. Once all the fluid was out from the drain plug at the radiator bottom, I then started to pull off the hose or pry it off. If you are going to replace it, you might score or cut the end to make the job easier.
As Durango_boy mentioned, keep another bucket handy, because there will be residual fluid still coming out of the hose.
kdf
As Durango_boy mentioned, keep another bucket handy, because there will be residual fluid still coming out of the hose.
kdf
The old time radiator guys will tell you the rad connections are weak points. If you are trashing the hose, cut it off, DO NOT TWIST it off.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
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From: AL
Like the others have said, you can slide under the nose, but I jack mine up for some extra clearence. I agree with cutting the hose to help remove it. If it's been on there any length of time it will be difficult to remove, although not impossible. Cutting it makes it simple. 
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
Strongly agree with cutting the hose. Get a boxcutter type utility knife and make a length wise slit in the hose and gently walk it off. I have seen the radiator outlet snapped right off by manhandling the hose to twist it off.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
A new lower hose is a lot better than a new or repaired radiator. It also just makes things easier and you don't have to wrestle with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Tip: Go to an auto parts store, and get some of that absorb stuff...it's like kitty litter. Have it on hand to soak up any fluids that get spilled. I go through about a bag a quarter. Great stuff, and depending on what you dropped it on it's reusable a few times. Heavy fluids kill it quick, but lighter stuff like anti-freeze soak right up.
