AD/SBC Radiator Hoses?

[MiraclePieCo]

Time to install radiator hoses in my SBC powered '51 panel. My usual practice is to bend coat hangers to the shape of hose I need, then peruse the auto parts store hose wall until I locate something close.

In this case, I'm hoping that enough forum members have a similar combination (AD, SBC, LWP, OEM-style radiator) that someone can give me part numbers for both the upper and lower hoses and save me a bunch of trouble. That lower hose will be one tight 90!

[starterman99]

I have these numbers saved from an old thread
Gates 20416 upper
Gates 20584 lower
don't know if they work for sure as I am not at that point yet.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by starterman99

I have these numbers saved from an old thread
Gates 20416 upper
Gates 20584 lower
don't know if they work for sure as I am not at that point yet.

Okay, here's my experience using those part numbers:

Upper: The Gates 20416 was nearly a perfect fit. I just had to trim the radiator end about 1-1/2 inch.

Lower: Because my water pump and radiator necks are misaligned the 20584 didn't work for me. An upward twist is necessary to rectify the two. I visited the parts store with a wire pattern and ended up with a NAPA 7776 (Gates 21064). Trimming the ends off resulted in a very good fit (see pic). I think an even better hose may be a Gates 20811. Next time.

Bear in mind that my engine position may be different from yours so these numbers might not work for everyone.

[starterman99]

Thanks for the feedback I will update my notes.

[Matt_50]

Miraclepieco thank you for this thread, it has been saved for future use.

What kind of trans do you have and did you hook up to radiator or separate cooler?

Do you recommend hooking up to radiator or should I just look for a trans cooler? I plan on A/C if that makes a difference.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by Matt_50

Miraclepieco thank you for this thread, it has been saved for future use.

What kind of trans do you have and did you hook up to radiator or separate cooler?

Do you recommend hooking up to radiator or should I just look for a trans cooler? I plan on A/C if that makes a difference.

On an stock-framed AD truck, a belt-driven fan the proper distance from the radiator will interfere with the trans cooler lines because the radiator is so high. Your options include 1) switch to an electric fan mounted on the radiator, or 2) switch to a remote trans cooler mounted out of harms way. I think with AC you should do BOTH: get a good quality electric fan like a Spal for max low-speed cooling, and add an auxiliary trans cooler to take some load off your radiator.

I'm just setting mine up this way because it's simple and cheap - and I'm a simpleton and a cheapskate

.

[Driver_WT]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

Okay, here's my experience using those part numbers:

Upper: The Gates 20416 was nearly a perfect fit. I just had to trim the radiator end about 1-1/2 inch.

Lower: Because my water pump and radiator necks are misaligned the 20584 didn't work for me. An upward twist is necessary to rectify the two. I visited the parts store with a wire pattern and ended up with a NAPA 7776 (Gates 21064). Trimming the ends off resulted in a very good fit (see pic). I think an even better hose may be a Gates 20811. Next time.

Bear in mind that my engine position may be different from yours so these numbers might not work for everyone.

Is that a 45 degree water neck/thermostat housing?

Thanks.

Wade

[mr48chev]

That Gates 20416 should come pretty close if the bend is right. You want a hose that has bends that naturally fit rather than having to put any extra bend in them.

Looking around the 20416 is the stock upper hose for a 55/62 with a V8 so if the bend is right it should work.

Your radiator looks like a twin to the one I bought for my 48.

[cobraffr]

Napa hoses(57 chevy?)
7240 lower
7438 upper
Will also work

I am running AC and found that the Gates 22316 for the lower cleared the belt a little better

Curious what you plan to do for the transmission cooler connections at the base of the radiator?

I had the same fan setup an could not clear the fittings. Went with a 1/2 fan spacer to make things fit.

Good luck

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by cobraffr

Curious what you plan to do for the transmission cooler connections at the base of the radiator? I had the same fan setup an could not clear the fittings. Went with a 1/2 fan spacer to make things fit.

You're exactly right - a 1/2" fan spacer would make the fan clear the trans cooler fittings. But I want to keep the fan as close as possible to the radiator so I chose to install an auxiliary trans cooler and just not use the radiator cooler.

[cobraffr]

That solution crossed my mind, but I was already planning on using an electric pusher fan behind the grill so I was OK compromising the engine fan and moving it away from the radiator. That fan is so small anyway I was concerned that it would not be adequate for Houston summer traffic. Good luck on the hoses.

[mr48chev]

Looking at that you might be able to sneak a smaller pusher fan up high to get more air though the top half of the radiator. I have the same can't it a big enough fan on mine with the six.