Coolant recovery tank hose?

[hawleykt]

Ok, this may seem like a simple question...but is there some special trick to getting that dang hose through and down into the recovery tank? I i cant get it to budge....

83 K 20...new tank bought from LMC to match old.

[tucsonjwt]

On my 83 C20, I lubed the opening of the recovery tank where the split plastic tabs are and lubed the outside of the hose itself. I used some silicone spray. Once the hose started going in, I fed it a little at a time until I hit bottom, then let it lay down flat a bit. Be careful not to spread those plastic tabs too far - they will break off easily. I pinched/folded the hose a bit to make it smaller in diameter to get it started.
On my previous squares, I found that the LMC tanks were not exactly OEM. I got a GM tank from GM Parts Direct for this 83, but I think you can get OEM tanks from oewarehouse and oehq, which have free shipping over a small dollar amount.

[hawleykt]

the use of the lube will not harm the coolant?

any specific brand you recommend?

thanks

[tucsonjwt]

I used auto store brand spray silicone - any brand will do. You are not slathering on the silicone so it is dripping off the hose and tank inlet - just spray a little on the opening and on the hose. As the hose goes down through the opening it scrapes against the opening- removing much of the silicone. Once the hose gets started through the hole, you really don't need any more silicone spray, so just spray the first inch or two of the hose. Have you ever drained a radiator or looked in the bottom of a coolant recovery tank that has been in place for a few years? The amount of crud in the coolant system far outweighs the harm a micro milimeter of silicone spray will do.

[tucsonjwt]

Or better yet, stick your finger in the radiator and get it wet with coolant - use that to lubricate the hose and tank opening.

[hawleykt]

that was easy -- thanks!!!