lower radiator hose help needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vardenafil · 04-23-2024, 12:39 PM

i just dropped in a cold-case aluminum radiator in my 72 k20. (100% drop in by the way. fit is excellent) the truck has a 350sbc. the upper radiator hose which was a napa 8935 fits perfect. i will reuse that. the lower radiator hose im having issues trying to find something that fits. my problem is that i replaced the entire cooling system along with the radiator. my new water pump is slightly different shaped than the one that was originally on the truck. the new water pump seems angles down at a greater angle than the original. the radiator connection tube seems diffrent. the original lower radiator hose on the truck was a napa 7463 but it will no longer work do to the downward angle of the waterpump. i did some research here on the forums and came up with 15 or so different part numbers for hoses that may or may not work. any suggestions for a part # for a hose that might work?

54blackhornet · 04-23-2024, 01:35 PM

Put up a photo of your pump so we can try to figure which one will fit properly.

vardenafil · 04-23-2024, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 54blackhornet

Put up a photo of your pump so we can try to figure which one will fit properly.

this is the pump that I bought:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...y4vM%2Fg%3D%3D

looking at it more closely I think you are right the angles arent different. for some reason the old hose wont line up and seems to be too long. the radiator outlets are in the same spot and have the same angle as the stock. so im not sure why nothing is lining up.

**damnyankee36** · 04-23-2024, 01:46 PM

Interesting about your comment on the angle of the new pump. I have never seen variations in pump designs other than short and long styles.

Could the corvette pumps have been different?

I had a choice of two lower hoses at AutoZone. One was definitely a no-go. The other fit fine. I don't believe the pump's hose had a different design.

Yes, please post a photo of the new pump and the old one if you can.

**MikeB** · 04-23-2024, 03:37 PM

If all else fails, what are everyone's' thoughts on a flex hose?

LS short box · 04-23-2024, 04:14 PM

Assuming you mean a SS flex hose like you see on street rods? I think they would work fine.
The local Oreillys lets me roam the stock room looking for radiator hoses. I either make a wire or cardboard pattern to guide me. Most of the time I have chop up a longer hose to make it work for me.

Loose Screw · 04-23-2024, 05:47 PM

Duralast Radiator Coolant Hose 81351

Worked on my Frankintruck 350, bottom hose!

vardenafil · 04-23-2024, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loose Screw

Duralast Radiator Coolant Hose 81351

Worked on my Frankintruck 350, bottom hose!

that hose sturdy enough that it will sit were you place it? If I curve it around the fan shroud or frame it will sit there and not flop around?

Loose Screw · 04-23-2024, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vardenafil

that hose sturdy enough that it will sit were you place it? If I curve it around the fan shroud or frame it will sit there and not flop around?

I still need to get a Shroud for Frankintruck...and Yeah that hose is sturdy.
AutoZone will take it back if it doesn't work, mine would anyway...

**guyryan100** · 04-23-2024, 09:13 PM

You may be on a long search here. I've found that the location of your accessories and belts, and whether your engine is in the forward position make big differences. Also whether your radiator output is parallel to the garage floor or it angles up at 45 degrees is the other key variable. Finding a photo of someone with the identical setup helps a lot.

The generic hoses work ok unless you have to make a sharp bend - they don't do U turns very well.

04-23-2024, 12:39 PM	#1
vardenafil Registered User Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: ca Posts: 106	lower radiator hose help needed i just dropped in a cold-case aluminum radiator in my 72 k20. (100% drop in by the way. fit is excellent) the truck has a 350sbc. the upper radiator hose which was a napa 8935 fits perfect. i will reuse that. the lower radiator hose im having issues trying to find something that fits. my problem is that i replaced the entire cooling system along with the radiator. my new water pump is slightly different shaped than the one that was originally on the truck. the new water pump seems angles down at a greater angle than the original. the radiator connection tube seems diffrent. the original lower radiator hose on the truck was a napa 7463 but it will no longer work do to the downward angle of the waterpump. i did some research here on the forums and came up with 15 or so different part numbers for hoses that may or may not work. any suggestions for a part # for a hose that might work?

04-23-2024, 01:35 PM	#2
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,391	Re: lower radiator hose help needed Put up a photo of your pump so we can try to figure which one will fit properly. __________________ 71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD

04-23-2024, 01:46 PM	#4
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 724	Re: lower radiator hose help needed Interesting about your comment on the angle of the new pump. I have never seen variations in pump designs other than short and long styles. Could the corvette pumps have been different? I had a choice of two lower hoses at AutoZone. One was definitely a no-go. The other fit fine. I don't believe the pump's hose had a different design. Yes, please post a photo of the new pump and the old one if you can. __________________ 1966 C10 Custom Cab Restomod (Sold) 1969 Camaro Z/28 (Keeper) Current Build: 1968 C10 (Semi-Factory Restoration) 1983 Camaro Z/28 (Next in line, Keeper) 1951 3100 (2nd in line)

04-23-2024, 03:37 PM	#5
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: lower radiator hose help needed If all else fails, what are everyone's' thoughts on a flex hose? __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

04-23-2024, 04:14 PM	#6
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 2,131	Re: lower radiator hose help needed Assuming you mean a SS flex hose like you see on street rods? I think they would work fine. The local Oreillys lets me roam the stock room looking for radiator hoses. I either make a wire or cardboard pattern to guide me. Most of the time I have chop up a longer hose to make it work for me.

04-23-2024, 05:47 PM	#7
Loose Screw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2024 Location: EL PASO Posts: 192	Re: lower radiator hose help needed Duralast Radiator Coolant Hose 81351 Worked on my Frankintruck 350, bottom hose!

04-23-2024, 09:13 PM	#10
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 483	Re: lower radiator hose help needed You may be on a long search here. I've found that the location of your accessories and belts, and whether your engine is in the forward position make big differences. Also whether your radiator output is parallel to the garage floor or it angles up at 45 degrees is the other key variable. Finding a photo of someone with the identical setup helps a lot. The generic hoses work ok unless you have to make a sharp bend - they don't do U turns very well.



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