The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Need your help, yet again

Hi everyone. I seem to be in a pickle. I want to replace the radiator hoses on my 1949 Chevy Pickup. The truck has a 1954 235 from a Chevy Belair. The previous owner put an aluminum radiator in, so it's not stock. I had to cut the old hoses off. They were stuck on. I went to Oreilly's and bought upper and lower radiator hoses for stock 1954 235. The top went on ok. I have a problem with the bottom. The hose diameter is 1.5 inches on both ends. The lower hose goes on the water pump, but the end for the radiator is too small. It needs to be at least 1.75 inches. I've been to every parts store in town and can't find one to fit. What can I do?

Buy a flex hose with 1.75" ends and use a sleeve cut from the old hose on the other end.

Would the Gates 25530 Flex Hose work? Oreilly has it in different links. It has a 1.5" end and 1.75" end. I would just have to get the right length. I'm assuming I could make the turns work.

Yes, that would be the ideal solution.

I have not had any luck finding a lower radiator hose that will work. I got close with a recommendation from the Gates representative, but the hose was slammed against the timing cover, so it would not have been long until a hole wore into it. I tired the flex hose with a spring, but it collapsed where it made the turn. I'm not sure how I will find a hose that will work. I've tried like five hoses and had to return them all. Very frustrating.

This collapsed??? www.jegs.com/i/Gates/465/25530/10002/-1

For about $160 you can buy the correct radiator on ePay and use factory stock hoses...

Mike B

Yes.

A 17" version might work, but I've bought so many, I'm gun shy now.

Try using a piece of CPVC pipe or copper pipe at the bends.

Mike B's idea is the best, though.

Use a 45 degree PVC elbow at the water pump, attached with a short hose nipple. Then connect the flex hose to the elbow. The hoses will hide the elbow from view and all people will see is an extra couple of hose clamps.
Jerry

You might want to use copper elbows, I have had PVC get brittle from heat in a custom indoor pool heating system, the boiler was set at 180 degrees which is roughly the same as our engines are running.

That's why I suggested CPCV - it's the tan stuff for supply lines, not the white stuff for drain lines.

PVC is only rated to 140 degrees. CPCV, which carries hot water in the home, is rated to 200 degrees. SInce these trucks operate at about 180 degrees, and this is the lower hose, it should be well below the 200 degree tolerance.

I'm sorry Jerry. I can't get it in my mind how to do what you're talking about. The stock hose with 1.5 inch diameters at both ends is 20230. I can't understand why they wouldn't have the same hose with 1.75 inch diameter on the other end.

You said the hose collapsed at the bend. Use a rigid pipe at the bend and cut the hose wherever you need to to connect to each end of the pipe.

Otto Skorzeny, Ah, ok.

You have a private message- - -flashing envelope icon at the top of the page.
Jerry

I cut up a molded hose to get 2 90 degree bends. A short piece of straight steel pipe connects the two bends. The bends swivel on the pipe until it fits. Use 4 clamps and you are done. Cut the molded hose in the band saw to get clean square cuts.

Just a side note since you had trouble removing the old hoses.

I ended up buying a cheap, HF, set of “long reach hose grip pliers” for a sending unit project I did on a modern vehicle. I cannot tell you how many times they’ve saved me since. Super handy.

While you’re putting things back together, a light coat of some lubricant where the hose attaches to whatever….makes future jobs much less frustrating. I’ve used Vaseline. A silicone or teflon grease would probably be a better choice.

Thanks all. I finally found a solution. Gates Flexible Hose 25528 worked. Does not crimp and does not hit the timing cover. Should be good to go now. Appreciate all the feedback.

Darrell, Thanks for coming back and providing what you found as a solution! Great into for other Bolter’s that may run into the same problem! 👍