Metal upper radiator hose? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FLDBRED · 07-06-2009, 11:50 AM

My 71 has the metal upper radiator hose!Does anyone know why Chevy did this?Should I keep this or go to an all rubber hose?Thank You!

combustion · 07-06-2009, 12:13 PM

pics?

mrein3 · 07-06-2009, 12:54 PM

Mine does too. In fact I think all the 4x4s had that from the factory.

Not sure why.

turp mcspray · 07-06-2009, 02:05 PM

I believe this is how all 4wd came. Not sure if it was because of the length or something else. I have always used them on my trucks.

morgan71 · 07-06-2009, 02:33 PM

Ive read that it came factory in 4wd's because of low gears, low range transfer case, could cause engine to run hotter which could cause upper radiator hose to swell and burst. I would keep it , if its in good shape.

vectorit · 07-06-2009, 02:58 PM

Here is mine.
It's off right now, since it is rotted out pretty bad.
I have been searching for shops that can bend pipe to duplicate mine, but no dice yet since it has too tight of bends that most bending machines can't duplicate. (At least in my neck of the woods).

msgross · 07-06-2009, 03:00 PM

I just bought one to put on my 68 K-10... I want it for the originality..

turp mcspray · 07-06-2009, 04:05 PM

I would think finding a used one would be fairly easy to do. If you need one I'm sure a board member has an extra.

chevy_mike · 07-06-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vectorit

Here is mine.
It's off right now, since it is rotted out pretty bad.
I have been searching for shops that can bend pipe to duplicate mine, but no dice yet since it has too tight of bends that most bending machines can't duplicate. (At least in my neck of the woods).

Looking at the picture, I would think any exhaust shop should be able to take care of that. I had that done on a kit car I was building, for the gas filler cap to the fuel cell. Made kind of an S bend.

68,69 K20 · 07-06-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgross

I just bought one to put on my 68 K-10... I want it for the originality..

Here is your tube in it's first home...

I believe the metal tube was used on 4wd's only...

FLDBRED · 07-06-2009, 07:14 PM

Thanks Guy's for the input!I think I'll keep it,if it is not rusting on the inside.

msgross · 07-06-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLDBRED

Thanks Guy's for the input!I think I'll keep it,if it is not rusting on the inside.

and if it is rusted then soak it in a chemical rust remover... then have it powdercoated (if that resists antifreeze!) or some other type of coating.

chipflyer · 07-06-2009, 07:56 PM

It was a 4 wheel drive only thing. The engine is set back closer to the firewall by quite a little bit on them to provide more clearance between the oil pan and front axle. Its also why they have a different/longer fan shroud.

Jeff

Skirkpat · 07-06-2009, 07:56 PM

Well I guess I should use the one I have on my 4x4 Burban, I thought it was a Redneck engineered deal on my 69 3/4 ton truck I parted out.

pritch · 07-06-2009, 10:13 PM

I always thought it was a GMC thing. Maybe GMC 4X4's only?

**jerry moss** · 07-06-2009, 10:22 PM

all 4x4s of 67-72 vintage had them, chevy or gmc. it's not a simple thing to bend on a muffler shop bender, i've got 25 years experience at the same shop. i bent a few out of stainless and got them really close but not exact, the two bends closest to the engine don't come out quite right. i still have them somewhere and never finished the ends to see if they would actually function as the oem version did.

07-06-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
FLDBRED Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CENTRAL,NJ Posts: 586	Metal upper radiator hose? My 71 has the metal upper radiator hose!Does anyone know why Chevy did this?Should I keep this or go to an all rubber hose?Thank You!

07-06-2009, 12:54 PM	#3
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? Mine does too. In fact I think all the 4x4s had that from the factory. Not sure why. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

07-06-2009, 02:05 PM	#4
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? I believe this is how all 4wd came. Not sure if it was because of the length or something else. I have always used them on my trucks. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

07-06-2009, 02:33 PM	#5
morgan71 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Perry OK Posts: 121	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? Ive read that it came factory in 4wd's because of low gears, low range transfer case, could cause engine to run hotter which could cause upper radiator hose to swell and burst. I would keep it , if its in good shape.

07-06-2009, 02:58 PM	#6
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? Here is mine. It's off right now, since it is rotted out pretty bad. I have been searching for shops that can bend pipe to duplicate mine, but no dice yet since it has too tight of bends that most bending machines can't duplicate. (At least in my neck of the woods). Attached Images __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

07-06-2009, 03:00 PM	#7
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? I just bought one to put on my 68 K-10... I want it for the originality.. __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

07-06-2009, 04:05 PM	#8
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? I would think finding a used one would be fairly easy to do. If you need one I'm sure a board member has an extra. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

07-06-2009, 07:14 PM	#11
FLDBRED Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CENTRAL,NJ Posts: 586	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? Thanks Guy's for the input!I think I'll keep it,if it is not rusting on the inside.

07-06-2009, 07:56 PM	#13
chipflyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Topeka, Ks Posts: 2,293	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? It was a 4 wheel drive only thing. The engine is set back closer to the firewall by quite a little bit on them to provide more clearance between the oil pan and front axle. Its also why they have a different/longer fan shroud. Jeff __________________ I'm not a pessimist, I'm just optimistic that bad things are going to happen. 1971 Cheyenne Super K10 - tilt, cruise, air, am/fm, tow hooks, factory buckets! 1986 Jeep J10 pickup, - 5.3L Vortec with 4L60e and NP241. Last edited by chipflyer; 07-06-2009 at 08:24 PM.

07-06-2009, 07:56 PM	#14
Skirkpat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: K.C. Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? Well I guess I should use the one I have on my 4x4 Burban, I thought it was a Redneck engineered deal on my 69 3/4 ton truck I parted out. __________________ 1969 Short Stepside 1969 4 WD Suburban 1970 1 Ton Dually....Misfit oh, and a 2001 HD 2500, 8.1 Allison Shortbed 4 Door

07-06-2009, 10:13 PM	#15
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? I always thought it was a GMC thing. Maybe GMC 4X4's only? __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

07-06-2009, 10:22 PM	#16
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,916	Re: Metal upper radiator hose? all 4x4s of 67-72 vintage had them, chevy or gmc. it's not a simple thing to bend on a muffler shop bender, i've got 25 years experience at the same shop. i bent a few out of stainless and got them really close but not exact, the two bends closest to the engine don't come out quite right. i still have them somewhere and never finished the ends to see if they would actually function as the oem version did. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

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