128racecar

I have a very stock, numbers matching, "garage find" 72 coupe. Nothing special- base 350 with automatic, AC, PS, PW, and PB. Since it has sitting in someone or another's garage since the early 80s, basically not moving, not much has been done to it over the years, and looks to be pretty original. The water pump was toast, so I decided to replace it and the associated components with AC Delco replacement parts. Water pump and lower radiator hose bolted up just fine. But when it came time to fit the AC Delco upper radiator hose (Delco 24044L), it was about 2" too short. The old molded, but crumbled, previous hose didn't have any markings on it, but did have a sharp "S" bend in it similar to the one pictured on RockAuto for the AC 4 spd cars (Gates 20817), so I bought it- still about 2" short. Now I am suspicious that the radiator has been swapped out, perhaps from another C3 year. It does have the fittings for an automatic transmission cooler lines. It measures 32" wide. Following are a few pictures the right and left top of the radiator in case that helps. I figure worse case scenario, I'll just buy one of those universal hoses. But if anyone has any ideas what this radiator is from, and what upper hose have actually fit, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks,
Marc in Indy












Gates 20817 for 72 4 spd AC car




AC Delco 24044L, which is supposed to be correct for a 72 AC car with Automatic

VCuomo

You could always get a universal flexible stainless steel radiator hose (the ones that you cut to whatever length you want and can bend it to whatever shape you want). Something like this:

Hammerhead Fred

That is the correct/original radiator.
That's the wrong hose.
Original OEM part number was 368685.
Looks like you need Gates part number 20809 according to their interchange cross reference tool (which also cross references to the 24044L you show above) or NAPA 7683

128racecar

Hammerhead Fred

You might want to go with a reproduction hose from Zip or one of the other forum vendors. BTW: The original part number GM #3946852 hose was discontinued in July, 1980 and replaced by GM #368685

128racecar

Thanks- will do. After looking at pictures of Dewitt replacement radiators, I think it was a classic case of me overthinking things. Will report back once I get a correct repo hose

gguillot

Marc,

Figure out your radiator hose issue? Here's a pic of mine with the original radiator. Let me know if you need any further measurements.

Hammerhead Fred

Here's another.....
If you zoom in you can just make out the hose part number 3946852

128racecar

Got new correct reproduction hose with the above GM parts number. Next to the AC Delco part I listed above, it looks exactly the same, and thus does NOT fit either.

I have a new possible answer, probably involving Bubba. Looking at gguillot's picture, it looks like the driver's side radiator outlet angles upward, correct? Mine angles DOWNWARD. My car runs very cool to be an original untouched radiator. I suspect it has been recored in the past. The upper left rad outlet may have damaged at some point, and then re-brazed with a new outlet that angles the wrong direction, thus the universal hose on my car.

If anyone can confirm their left upper outlet curves upward, that would be of great help. For now, I have set it up with a Dayco universal hose.

Thanks,
Marc in Indy

gguillot

I think you are probably right Marc. Either you have a replacement radiator that just fit dimensionally, or, like you said - they rebrazed the upper outlet incorrectly. Thank goodness its not the lower hose - what a pain the rump that one is.

Here's the angle on mine - definitely points upward.

128racecar

0Tom@Dewitt

128racecar