Lower radiator hose Question.....

[jewels.]

68 C-10

rebuilt 350 sb from a 72 monte carlo

NOTE: motor mounts are INCORRECT, so the engine sits about 1-2" forward of actual true V8 position for these trucks

ok - my lower radiator hose has been rubbin my frame... and i recently noticed it.... its been like this for a good five years, and i cannot believe i never noticed it before now.... i used a spare piece of hose to hold me over until i fix the problem....

here is a pic of the hose in position right now (looking down from over the radiator......

the hose i have now does not turn to the right enough just out of the radiator..... i need one with an immediate bend to the hose (i think)....

[jewels.]

went to the parts store, asked for a lower radiator hose for either
1. 1969 350 V8 2bbl
or
2. 1969 396 V8 4bbl
the hoses were VERY different between the two, and i have no idea which one works.... they did not have the 350 version in stock, but could get it from the warehouse..... but i tried a dry fit for the 396 version, which appeared like the outline below (in pink).... the problem is --- that the bend on the hose is not quite 90 degrees, and i'm not sure how well it will fit into position -- the bend looks a little off.....

so, can some of you snap some pics of your lower radiator hoses with your 350 engine's in place? keep in mind that my engine is sitting forward of its proper position by about 1-2", however, i dont think that should make THAT much difference on this hose....

can you post some pics for me or offer advice?
thanks in advance!
jewels

[jewels.]

here are some more pics.... for reference....

[jewels.]

i was also wondering if it was normal for the frame rail to turn up slightly (just behind where the hose is rubbing).... there is a bolt hole there at the turn up.... does anyone know why this is there? is this a modification by a p/o?

thanks!
jewels.

[jorgensensc]

Jewels,
I don't know if this helps at all, but my 350 in the correct factory location lower hose rubs in that same spot. I got the hose protector that goes on a late model upper radiator hose and put it on the bottom hose. I think the protector was off an '88 upper hose. Hope this helps a little.
Shawn

[dharroald]

i had the same problem with my truck, we found one hose that would rub on the frame and another that would kink when put on. i decided to just put on one of those flexible rad. hoses from the parts store. i think they have different lengths. it's been on since last summer and haven't had ANY problems with it.

[jhwkns]

heh-heh... This probably wont help much... Most of the radiator hoses that are available aren't specially tailored to fit these trucks. What I bought last time was a cut to fit generic lookin' hose. I didn't like the way it fit at all. The old hose fit great. I fashioned a similar hose protector ( which I will now refer to as a Jewel ) to keep the frame from sawing it in half. It'll do for now. Some day I'll have to drive around and hose shop 'till I find one I like

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I can post a picture tomorrow, but your original hose looks right. Does the radiator have the lower outlet turned up at an angle?

Also, looking at the old hose it looks like if you trimmed an inch off of the hose it would help as the hose appears to be bowed since it is probably too long, (with the engine mounted forward).

The frame is "flared" at the point under the hose, so it is factory.

I just looked at a couple of our trucks and the hoses clear by almost 1/2". The way the hoses are on our trucks, if you trimmed a 1/2" off at the water pump, it would increase the clearance
without affecting the way it works.

Good luck!

Jim

[67Fleetsidedream]

I agree with Jim. If you cut off a little bit of the hose at the water pump, you may "tighten up" the hose.
A turn up of the frame. Sounds like the P/O had a fender bender at one point.

[69 Short Fleet]

I went through this @ 6 months ago, I went to my Chev dealer and they told me the hose was discontinued, went to all my auto parts retailers and no luck. I even tried to match one up (bent a coat hanger and followed the distance and angles from the waterpump to the rad) no luck. So I went with a "Coolflex" clone system (got it off e-bay) and it fits great and looks nice. I am running a 283 with a short waterpump, regards Doug

[MJN]

the turn up on the frame is factory, not sure why it's there but every truck of ours has it. My hose rubs on the inner fender, not the frame, and I used a old hose cut in half to keep it from rubbing even though the parts store said the hose was the correct one.

[Burnsman]

I agree with Jim. I've cut a little off to shorten the hose and I've also turned the hose on the radiator (so the hose is turned up a little bit) before you tighten the lower radiator hose. Brian

[Gordo]

The lower outlet on my radiator turns upward. I had my radiator shop install that neck from my old one on to the new rad they sold me because it wasn't available anymore new. If I do some "diggin" I could come up with a NAPA number for that hose if you want it.

[bigskiohio]

a hose off a newer truck might work they have the bend she wants try 1980 305 gmc or chevy, I will take a picture an post it but the size might be different . measure your hose and tell me what it is.

[Gordo]

For what it's worth here are the NAPA numbers for the upper and lower rad hoses I used on my 71 C10, V8 using the curved lower rad neck. # 7581 and # 7595.

[Longhorn Man]

Jewels, Mine is the same as yours with the added protection, looks like it is a common fix. When I had the rad done up for the one ton, I had them install the lower neck up about an inch higher than it was supposed to be, seems to have helped.
The pent section on your frame is stock, it should be on all 68 - 72's, but not 67's. It is a mod for big block clearance...fuel pump i think.

[Blue Beard]

Both of my trucks are the same way...

[Pilgrim]

My 72, 71, and 68 are the same with all with V8s. They all got the shortened hose and the "old hose taped to the new one " fix.

[jewels.]

guys, thanks for all the replies!

i will agree with many of you, that the hose can easily be put on to rub the frame rail......

but i'm sure that chevy didnt design it this way..... does anyone have a setup that doesnt rub the rail? i know no one would have an "original" setup (cause rubber doesnt last that long)... but if someone out there is restoring their truck to "original" condition, surely they would look for a properly designed lower radiator hose? maybe?

i was looking for PICTURES of some NON-RUBBING hoses out there (prebent, not flex-hose).....

does ANYONE have somethin like this?
again, thanks for the verification about this being a problem.... but as an engineer, i'm determined to SOLVE it!

jewels.

[Dean]

All of my K20s rub like that. My parts 72 Jimmy is the same too.

[mrein3]

I thought somebody posted on this subject before stating that the radiator is supposed to have the lower neck coming out of the radiator at an upward angle. This would be similar to Longhorn Man's fix where he had the shop install it up an inch.

For what its worth my lower hose has a piece of older hose protecting it too.

[Tuck]

I had the same problem, I took a wire and put it on the radiator side and bent it to the water pump.

I then went to the auto store and bought every hose that was close. now the hose that is on it barley touchs. I just put a slit down some rubber fuel line and added it to the frame just in case.

I have the part number of the hose at home. if you need it I can get the number for you tonight.


let me know.

[jewels.]

Originally posted by Tuck
I had the same problem, I took a wire and put it on the radiator side and bent it to the water pump.

I then went to the auto store and bought every hose that was close. now the hose that is on it barley touchs. I just put a slit down some rubber fuel line and added it to the frame just in case.

I have the part number of the hose at home. if you need it I can get the number for you tonight.


let me know.

oh yes! please do tell! i am going to go check out Gordo's NAPA hoses today, and see how those work, and i would be more than willing to check out your part numbers as well!

thanks!
jewels.

[lukecp]

I'm gonna have to check mine out and see if its rubbing now.....never knew of the problem. I've had the same hose on there for about 3 years though....

[COBALT]

I use NAPA hoses, and they rub too. I can snap a pic of my hoses later today...