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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | I know all of you have dealt with the problem of needing one I.D. on one end and a different I.D. on the other end...and unless the vehicle came that way from the factory we are left to try and find one which usually ends up being a FLEX HOSE.
I'm in the need of a hose with 1 3/4 ID on one end and 1 1/2 ID on the other. In this case a bottom hose going from radiator to water pump.
However, I HATE FLEX HOSES.
My Question: Do any of you know where you can get what I call "hose shims". Sometime ago I have bought "universal radiators" and they came with a "shim" or "band" that you could use on the radiator or water pump neck, to make a hose fit.
In my case I'd use a 1 3/4 I.D. hose on both ends and use the shim/band/adapter piece on the end where the neck is 1 1/2".
Any of you guys know of a place that handles something like this? The local Flaps just look at me like I'm crazy. Anyone, Jerry?, DG?, Deve?, Dave?, Tim?, anyone?
(I can find one with the right bends)
Thanks for any insight.
Last edited by Achipmunk; 01/09/2016 4:21 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 28 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 28 | I have had to do that before... I just cut off a piece of the correct size hose to use as a shim. Never had a problem with it.
1954 GMC 9314 - 261 t5
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | x2... add a 2" long piece of 1-1/2" hose to the small fitting and slip the 1-3/4" hose over it...done! Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 | X3 Alvin,
Always works for Me!
regards,
steve sr. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Alvin, having gone this far with your project, have you thought
about having a radiator shop, if you can find one, solder a
matching fitting in the radiator?
dg
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 863 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 863 | Alvin,
I got the GM stamped radiator hoses from Chevy's of the 40's. Ran into the same problem...needed 1 3/4 I.D. and the hose was 1 1/2" I.D. Went to Lowes and got a PVC 1 3/4 " O.D. fitting and with some persuasion with boiling water and silicone grease was able to stretch the end onto the PVC fitting. Let it set and cool. Removed the PVC fitting and now the hose fits the 1 3/4" radiator fitting. Just an idea.
Tim
"Pay attention to the details! It ALWAYS pays off."
1949 Chevrolet 3100 Series 1/2 ton Pickup
1964 Chevrolet C10 (Ol' Yella) (SOLD)
1958 Chevrolet Biscayne 2 door (SOLD)
1970 VW Beetle
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | I hear you guys.
I've been down this road a few times. I guess I'm just looking for the "easy way out" as it seems I do the older I get!
I have also used two hoses with a reducer/adapter in the middle to "get there". Again, looking for simply solutions but they get fewer and farther between.
We will get'r done. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | I have access to a friendly NAPA store. The kind folks let us walk into the area with the hoses and compare the samples we took with us. I did find a shaped hose with the proper ends(big for the water pump and small for the radiator). And like the idiot I am forgot to keep the part number. But the good news is it fit. Must be a chart of hose some where? I will keep looking.
Steve H
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