I had the end of a hose split, going into the firewall, and I was fortunately able to temporarily fix it (I cut off the last 1" or so and stretched the hose to fit). I'd like to order the replacement hoses, but have been having a hard time finding them (I'm not sure what the proper name for them is).

It's a 3-way hose that runs from the radiator to a 3 way splitter on the passenger side of the car. The "system" is a combination of aluminum tubing rubber hoses, which are crimped together. From the splitter, it runs to the firewall (to the heater core, I presume) and to the bottom nipple on the coolant reservoir.

I took some photos, in case my explanation doesn't make sense, sorry for the crappy cell phone quality:

Where the hose connects to the radiator, at the upper left (passenger side):


Then it runs to a splitter, toward the back of the front passenger side tire:


Where it connects to the firewall:


Where it connects to the reservoir (it's the bottom hose, marked "lower"):


I couldn't find anything like it at Eckler's or Corvette Central (or any of the other vendors I could think of). Is it something that can be ordered, or should I just replace the whole think with plain Jane coolant hose?

Thanks for any insight you can offer!

 

If you can't find a source for the specific part then just get coolant lines that are the correct size and cut to the right length.

 

A Corvette salvage yard can get that part to you as well...

 

You are going to have to make your own hose setup. AFAIK, that hose assembly is no longer made. I have a '96 and the hose routing is different so my fix may not work for you without modification.

The hose neck on the radiator should be 3/8 and the hose neck on the surge tank (with radiator cap) should also be 3/8. The connection at the rear of the engine is not the heater core but is a return line from the engine. That you will have to measure as I did not have that setup but it may end up being 3/8 also (hopefully). Buy some Goodyear Hi-miler 3/8 hose on Ebay or 3/8 silicone hose. Either choice is expensive but I could not find any other alternative. Then buy a heater hose tee in the correct size (NAPA, Dorman, etc.) and connect the three lengths of hose together. You will have to reuse the factory hose from the surge tank to the white overflow bottle because the headlight will not open correctly (it will rub on a replacement hose - I found out the hard way). Just drill out the connectors and separate from the other hose to reuse.

Good luck.

 

Oddly enough...you CAN get that particular hose...

 

Actually that hose isn't available. It is part of a two piece assembly made in two different configurations over the years shown as the surge tank to overflow hose assembly on MidAmerica's website http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...1-428-935.html. If you know where to find one that is what the OP is looking for. I did not have any luck finding it for the 96 when I needed it.

 

I have worked with a few parts stores that let me walk thru their hose section to find a hose that has the right fit or bend I need.
Then at home cutoff what you don't need.

I'd rather have a new hose that fits OK rather than a used hose that fits perfect.

Explain that logic to yourself when your headed home on a flatbed.....

 

The hose assembly is two pieces. One section for the surge tank, engine and radiator; the other for the surge tank to white overflow bottle. The reason I reused the old surge tank to overflow bottle hose is because it is not under pressure and if it breaks I can still get home. I replaced the other section of the assembly that goes between the radiator, engine and surge tank with new 3/8 hose.

 

Watch Craigslist and Ebay I picked up one of the coolant lines/hoses in question along with ALL coolant hoses/t-stat/plugs/wires for the LT1 engine for $100 last winter from a GM dealer that had them as NOS and wanted to get rid of them. SCORE!!!! Brand new parts at a fraction of cost new!!!!