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Lower radiator hose

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Old Apr 27, 2007 | 07:02 PM
  #1  
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Default Lower radiator hose

I was looking under the hood of the 72 today and noticed that the lower and the upper hose were soft, so I decided to change them because I can see the temp start to rise after I've been driving it awhile. Anyway I remember that the lower hose needs to have a wire in it to keep it from collapsing. Since I can't find one that has the wire in it I started looking for the stainless steel flex hoses, is anyone else using them? Or do you really need the wire in the lower hose?

Greg
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Old Apr 27, 2007 | 07:43 PM
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Here's an idea.

Autozone sells a rubber flex hose that can be used as your lower hose. It has an integrated wire structure and won't collapse on you. It's also very cheap, and comes in several lengths. You cannot trim it to fit, so measure a few times and check out the one that is the closest.
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Old Apr 27, 2007 | 07:47 PM
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Here you go

http://www.corvette-paragon.com/cata...8-337167F128CA
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Old Apr 27, 2007 | 11:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 1ARACE
I made my own spring Would have bought this....oh well
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Here's an idea.

Autozone sells a rubber flex hose that can be used as your lower hose. It has an integrated wire structure and won't collapse on you. It's also very cheap, and comes in several lengths. You cannot trim it to fit, so measure a few times and check out the one that is the closest.
Autozone hoses are cheap Chinese crap.
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 12:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Big2Bird
Autozone hoses are cheap Chinese crap.

It may be Chinese but it's well built and very sturdy.
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 12:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
It may be Chinese but it's well built and very sturdy.
They are crap. They are thin. They don't last but two years. Did I say they were crap.
GM is good. Gates is good. Dayco is good. Goodyear is good.
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Big2Bird
Goodyear is good.
Good to know....
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 07:44 AM
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Thanks for the link to paragon thats what I was looking for. So no body is running the stainless steel hoses?

Greg
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Big2Bird
They are crap. They are thin. They don't last but two years. Did I say they were crap.
GM is good. Gates is good. Dayco is good. Goodyear is good.

I'll check the brand, because it's not thin at all. Trust me, this thing is built well.
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 09:11 AM
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I have a autozone lower on my 79 now for three years, no problem.
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 11:15 AM
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Got mine here....spring and all....

http://www.dewitts.com/pages/categor...ts.asp?catID=5

Was at GM dealer yesterday...they were unloading boxes outside their parts dept...most with Chinese writing on them....next time I'll get a pic....

So if one thinks Autozone sells quality hoses.....dozoo....

Rich
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I'll check the brand, because it's not thin at all. Trust me, this thing is built well.

I had already stripped the tag off, so I called Autozone and asked about the one I bought. It's a Kelly brand hose that they tell me is made in Springfield, MO. Lat time I checked, that's here in the USA.
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I had already stripped the tag off, so I called Autozone and asked about the one I bought. It's a Kelly brand hose that they tell me is made in Springfield, MO. Lat time I checked, that's here in the USA.
Okay. Your right.

Last edited by Big2Bird; Apr 29, 2007 at 08:44 PM. Reason: error
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Big2Bird
Okay. Your right. Nascar and Formula 1 drivers from all over the world fly in Autozone hoses known through out the world for their reliability. I bet Jeff Gordon has a load flying in today. Matter of fact, I am ripping off my GM hose that has been on 7 years without a crack, and replacing it with a generic corrugated Autozone hose as we speak.

Man you took that just a bit too far. All I said was Autozone sells flex hoses in varying lengths that MAY be an option for him. Someone claimed they were Chinese crap. I checked, and found they are not in fact Chinese crap and that it's well built.

No where did I tell anyone to buy it because it's the best. I put it out there as a viable option. If he wants a stock hose with a spring made in the US he has that option too. Find where I said it was top notch and better than anything else.
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 03:45 PM
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You don't have to buy Auotzone stuff if you don't want, but for us who have to manage our money and don't have time to sit on the puter all day looking for "just the right" exspensive stuff, its a way to get it done and be driving verses sitting out in the garage watching dust collect on your $30 GM hose clamp!
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Greg in VA
I was looking under the hood of the 72 today and noticed that the lower and the upper hose were soft, so I decided to change them because I can see the temp start to rise after I've been driving it awhile. Anyway I remember that the lower hose needs to have a wire in it to keep it from collapsing. Since I can't find one that has the wire in it I started looking for the stainless steel flex hoses, is anyone else using them? Or do you really need the wire in the lower hose?

Greg
What he wants to know is anyone using the stainless
steel hose
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by TPI BOY
What he wants to know is anyone using the stainless
steel hose

I have never used one but I looked into a S/S lower hose a few years ago. I couldn't find a direct fit, and they were all super expensive.
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 06:46 PM
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Hey Big2Bird...

I'm just curious....

what do you think of those spring loaded hoses from AutoZone?

44B
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I have never used one but I looked into a S/S lower hose a few years ago. I couldn't find a direct fit, and they were all super expensive.
You bend them and cut them to fit it's easy
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