The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Lower Radiator Hose - 261 with 235 radiator

(1949 1-ton with 59-62 261)

First off, I'm not 100% sure the rad is original, but the lower hose outlet is 1.5" diameter. On the water pump it's 1.75". I'm having trouble finding a replacement hose that has different size ends... Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Grandpa's Dump Truck

Grandpa's Dump Truck,

I think someone in the past posted a hose with the two different diameter-ends.

I had to buy:
1. the larger 261 hose (to fit the 261 water pump)
2. the smaller truck hose: to cut off the radiator end of the hose and place that end inside the 261 hose-end. This worked fine for many years.

Hmmm. Never thought of using a piece of the smaller hose as a bushing. I do have both sizes so I'll try that and see if I like the result.

Thanks for the tip!

(If anyone knows of a hose that is moulded in the correct end sizes, I would still be interested to know...)

Jim Carter sells the lower hose for use when you replace a 216 with a 235. I bought one for my 50 COE and worked fine, although the hose seems a little flimsy and thin walled. This has worked fine for 3 or 4 years. This may be the same size as the 261, best to call them and check or research whether a 261 water pump is the same or same inlet diameter as a 235.
Kent

I had purchased a set from chevsofthe40s:

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detai...Set_2_GM_Script_With_Original_Style.html

The "lower" hose was the right diameter for the upper fittings on both the radiator and thermostat housing, so I cut it into a 90° section and installed it as my upper hose. The "upper" hose in that kit is too small for any of the fittings in my truck.

Your radiator has a year stamped on it if its original. Its on the engine side on the top part.

I just purchase the Jim Carter fitted hoses for 1950 and deal with what I get. The small top one DOES fit, but you have to go thru HELL to get it on. Once it's on the thermostat housing, life is good. The bottom one is too big for the water pump end, but a hose clamp works wonders. I agree it would be nice to have decent fitted hoses. Let us know if you find them. My water pump is a 1953 short shaft and the 235 and 261 inlet for the thermostat is the same from 55-62. Maybe earlier too, but not sure.

Buy a flex hose to fit the larger diameter. Be sure it has a reinforcing wire to prevent collapse because it will be on the suction side of the water pump. Cut a 2" long sleeve of the smaller diameter hose and install it DRY on the radiator nipple. Slip the larger hose end over the sleeve, also dry with no attempt at sealing it, and use a worm screw type clamp, tightened firmly. I have used this method on racing cooling systems with 20 LB. pressure caps without any issues. No need to pay ridiculous prices for a custom hose when low tech will get the job done, unless you're some sort of anal-retentive purist. We don't have any of those folks on this forum, do we?

Jerry

Simma down now Professor.

Why just today I experienced lack of anal-retentiveness on my personal original equipment. I would not, however, describe it as pure.

I'll look for the year stamp - might help with the search, thanks.

This one from Jim Carter looks like it might be what I need:
http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/cart/product.asp?prodid=ME239

Has anybody tried it?

I will see what I can rig together with what I have for now in the interest of getting the truck going. I am not anal retentive, just OCD. Having something on there that doesn't feel right will bug me and if I can spend $20 to get the proper one, I'd rather do that.

BTW, 52Carl: Gross.

NO not here.

As Jerry said, make you a bushing. You local parts store should also have bushings in stock for that purpose. Gates makes these and perhaps other brands make them as well.

The parts store I worked in keeps these still due to ill fitting hoses or engine conversion.

Works well, and looks like a factory hose when done.
Here's what they look like.

http://www.amazon.com/GATES-BELTS-HOSES-26390-Reducer/dp/B000CRHKSG

Grandpa's Dump Truck,

I bet the JC hose will cost no more than the hose-end placed within-a-hose solution suggested by me and others (maybe shipping from JC makes the hose-end placed within-a hose a better $$).

I have tried it. Its a little loose at the water pump end but a clamp makes it leak proof so not THAT loose. The top one that is very small works too, but its a bear to get on.

I used copper pipe for straights and elbows of appropriate sizes on my '37 GMC, only used short sections of rubber on the ends, so no problem replacing the short sections, soldered all the copper sections.

The Jim Carter hose is what I referenced above, and yes, I tried it and it works.

Also, I believe that the thermostat outlet to the radiator on a 235 is larger than a 216, so Deve, you may need to change over to the smaller 216 outlet to fit the upper hose. I had that problem with the 235 in my 1942 pickup with original radiator until it dawned on me to change it out. Fixed the problem.
Kent

Thanks for all the input everyone!

I think for now I'll just make something up, and when I have a few more parts on my shopping list I will order the proper hose from Jim Carter since shipping to Canada sucks.

By the way, here is a picture of the upper hose I made out of the chevsofthe40s bottom hose:
https://flic.kr/p/vYLaLX