Radiator hose
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 5
From: Mechanicsville VA
St. Jude Donor '08
Radiator hose
I am replacing the 2 hoses on my 71. No problem with the upper, but the lower is giving me fits. Have not been able to get the new lower hose attached. Any suggestions/ advise is appreciated. Thanks,
Gene
Gene
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 5
From: Mechanicsville VA
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks for the help. Had to cut the old hose at each end to remove it. Thought I could install the new one by pushing it into place. Can't get it turned correctly to go onto the radiator inlet. Have removed the sway bar and in the process of removing the fan shroud. Looks like I can now work the hose to fit. May loosen the trans lines at the radiator. Car is a 71 coupe, small block with THM 400 and A/C. Hasn't been on the road for quite a few years but still turns over. Again, thanks for the help.
Gene
Gene
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
It is a tough bend to get the hose on. I seem to remember greasing the ends and then trying to work both ends of the hose at the same time.
But that was several years ago.......
Good luck!
But that was several years ago.......
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 5
From: Mechanicsville VA
St. Jude Donor '08
Have the hose on but it still has a kink in it. Will probably trim it some and see what happens. Don't want to trim to much and ruin the hose. Probably do a 1/4 inch at a time.
Gene
Gene
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 205
From: Lewes Delaware
Gene - I had to cut a little off at a time to get the hose on my A/C equipped 73. Make sure the A/C fan belt does not hit/rub against the hose when the engine is running.
Ask me how I know
Fran
Ask me how I know
Fran
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, Az
I just replaced my 69 L46 hoses last weekend.
The lower is a PITA. I did the radiator side first and kept the water pump side as free and movable as possible.
The hose kept kinking when trying to slide on. It was very frustrating! Eventually, when it slide down far enough to the stopping point the kink went away. There wasn't any soft spots or twists when I attached the water pump side.
But, it was very annoying. Stick with it and good luck!
The lower is a PITA. I did the radiator side first and kept the water pump side as free and movable as possible.
The hose kept kinking when trying to slide on. It was very frustrating! Eventually, when it slide down far enough to the stopping point the kink went away. There wasn't any soft spots or twists when I attached the water pump side.
But, it was very annoying. Stick with it and good luck!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 5
From: Mechanicsville VA
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks to all for the help. I think we are all on the same page with the lower hose. As was stated above, I had the radiator end on as far as it would go, but still had the kink half way to the pump. Just going to take time.
Gene
Gene
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
ah... yes...radiator hose...just had this SAME issue last month!
all the suggestions are great guys! and everyone was a HUGE help with mine!
YES...need to get the correct fitting hose from supplier...BUT even those have issues...
big thing is lower radiator hose SHOULD have the spring in it...most off-brands do not have these, but the correct one from vette supplier should have it...(zip #M-2434)...the repro or local parts place typically do not have the spring. it is suggested to use the original-this did not make sense to me b/c that stupid thing is like 45 years old and is a POS...
what I did was get the 3 piece lower set from ZIP Corvette
part #s
M-2937
M-2936
M-2935
this has the metal sleeve in the middle that attaches a front hose to it, and rear hose to it AND has the spring in the rear hose...was the easiest to fit AND appears to be the best solution overall.
It is for a BBC, but I was told it will fit the SBC...that is mainly the call you will have to make to ZIP to find if the sizes are same (they will measure it for you there before you buy).
AND I used vaseline to help get on and provide a seal...advised to me by old school mechanic AND 30+ yr pool guy.
all the best!
Ron
all the suggestions are great guys! and everyone was a HUGE help with mine!
YES...need to get the correct fitting hose from supplier...BUT even those have issues...
big thing is lower radiator hose SHOULD have the spring in it...most off-brands do not have these, but the correct one from vette supplier should have it...(zip #M-2434)...the repro or local parts place typically do not have the spring. it is suggested to use the original-this did not make sense to me b/c that stupid thing is like 45 years old and is a POS...
what I did was get the 3 piece lower set from ZIP Corvette
part #s
M-2937
M-2936
M-2935
this has the metal sleeve in the middle that attaches a front hose to it, and rear hose to it AND has the spring in the rear hose...was the easiest to fit AND appears to be the best solution overall.
It is for a BBC, but I was told it will fit the SBC...that is mainly the call you will have to make to ZIP to find if the sizes are same (they will measure it for you there before you buy).
AND I used vaseline to help get on and provide a seal...advised to me by old school mechanic AND 30+ yr pool guy.
all the best!
Ron