hunting tread about rad hoses
 

there was a tread about rad hoses a while back and it seams to me they found a bottom hose that didnt rub the frame ? anyway i am putting in a 4 core rad (thanks putter for the rad and gman for the delevery :metal: ) and tought i would repace the hoses at the same time, so i was hunting the tread i tought it was in the FAQs but i couldnt find it :confused:

did i dream it :confused: :lol:

I would like to know that part # for future replacements also :metal:

PM tomatocity. He was asking about the best rad hoses lately. I posted that NAPA supplied a bottom hose for my '72 K20 pickup with a 350 that didn't have the inner spring and didn't touch the frame. It arches up with about 1/2" clearance. The pickup also has the 3-core rad with upturned lower neck. I couldn't remember the part #, but I could hit up NAPA for just the # if you like. I don't think they'll mind if 20,000 members might be looking.:D

I had quite a time trying to find a lower hose for mine. If this thread goes much further somebody will suggest the flex hose that "fits anything". It doesn't fit mine - the curviture is too sharp and the thing tries to crease. And it still rubs the frame.

The important thing to note is whether the lower connection on your radiator protudes straight out towards the tail gate or whether it angles up 45 degrees towards the windsheild. Mine angles up. I tried about 5 hoses, all suggested by the board, and none have worked yet.

So if you find one that fits please post here. :-)

could you get the part no# please

I remember that thread. One of the solutions proposed, which is what I did, was to split a small piece of heater hose and place it on the frame. Just providing this info for others who might be reading this thread looking for a cheaper solution.

On a couple of my trucks, I've wrapped the lower hose near the frame with a cut & tie-wrapped piece of rad hose, Cat Fuzz. I think either stop gap method is a good idea whether the lower rad hose clears the frame or not.

Gotta go to NAPA on Monday, so I'll get the elusive part #.:lol: Remember, I've only claimed that the NAPA hose clears my K20 pickup frame with a 350 engine in the stock 4x4 position and an upturned rad outlet. No promises.:D

Friday I bought the lower hose (pn# 7459) from NAPA and although it says it has a spring in it on the webpage it is not true. I asked the sales person and he gave me the same as 4x4Poet got.
One of the reasons (my 2 cents) the lower hose rubs the frame is because people don't take the time to trim the hose as it should be trimmed and it pushes the hose up into the frame. The lower hose on my truck was kinked because the PO did not take the time to trim it. I was going to trim it and reuse it but decided against it and bought a new one.

NAPA hoses are made by Gates.

Napa
Lower Hose
PN 7352, http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/nc...rpid=107567686
PN 7463 w/AC, http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/nc...rpid=107567683

Upper Hose
PN 7368, http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/nc...rpid=107567687
PN 7459, http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/nc...1&prmenbr=5806

PN 7459 does not search for the NAPA inhouse sales unless they use 1972 if I remember correctly.

This is information I discovered and believe to be correct. I looked at other trucks, searched webpages, and asked questions. Web information ca be very decieving and incorrect, hence the wire coil in the lower hose. The more information we document the safer we are when we buy these kind of items. Most of the inhouse sales personnel live by the computer though ocassionally you will find a good one that knows parts. Had that kind of experience at Autozone today when I was buying a power steering hose for my DD 1993 S10.

What hoses are the other members using? What is the application: year, AC or not, shroud or not, clutch fan or not, 4-core or not, AT or Std, V8 or I6?

This is a 69 SBC with a 4 row radiator and a long water pump. I can't recall the hose number, it was from a 73-80 iirc. Had to trim some off both ends.

I've been running mine for years with just a piece of rad hose zip tied underneath. Never had any problems......

I finally got to NAPA to buy another lower hose. For my '71 K10 4x4 burb, they gave me part # NEH 7463. The same hose is on my '72 K20 4x4 pickup because I originally purchased it for the burb but used it on the pickup months later (slow resto:D).

On the '72 K20, the hose has between 3/8" and 1/2 inch clearance over the frame where the lip is bent up into the top of the frame. I was able to put my Mechanix gloved fingers between the hose and frame without moving the hose.

Looking at the new hose I just bought, I think it clears the frame well because the pre-formed elbow at the water pump is quite pronounced, so it sends the hose more upward than other hoses I've used. It may be that the previous hoses I used that had springs in them were not able to achieve such elbow bends with the spring inside. Just a guess, that spring thing.

For those that missed the other hose thread, one of the NAPA guys said that these hoses don't have springs inside because they are quality and won't collapse. Only cheap quality (not thick rubber, adequate nylon cords, or good density) need the spring. I have no idea, though I've had no collapsing hose issue. Take it FWIW.

Like I said above, no promises. Just my experience on one '72 4x4 truck.

Maybe this thread should be moved to the FAQ forum. I started a thread last year for GM Parts Numbers so we could all go to one central place to look stuff up for this very reason. I think it would be very helpful to all of us.

i 2nd that this needs moved to the FAQ board

I 3rd...Krue?

As somebody stated above, you need the correct part number AND you need to trim off a bit for the hose to fit right.
I bought a new hose at Checkers while my 4-row radiator was in the mail. When I got it the hose I asked for at Checkers fit PERFECT after cutting off a bit from the water pump end.

I used a Drive Rite (made by Dayco) from advance auto parts part #E70664 and trimmed a little. http://www.daycoproducts.com/daycowe..._Hose?OpenForm