The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Correct Lower radiator hose

Does anyone know where I can get a lower radiator hose for my 1953 3100. It has a 235 six. I ordered a hose from Brothers Trucks and it fit the radiator but not the water pump. My water pump requires a larger diameter hose on that end. I tried the local auto parts stores with no success. Appreciate any help on this.

'53 Chevy I've had success asking to look at racks of radiator hoses in parts stores. You'll find one that will work.

If I understand this correctly, you have a 55 or later water pump and a 54 or earlier radiator. So, you need a hose with different inner-diameters at each end?

I bought a hose as suggested by Ray, that has the wider/larger diameter (mine had a corrugated outer-body that allowed bending to fit the needed angles). I had a good lower hose with the smaller diameter. I cut the last inch off the smaller hose and was able to put that piece inside the radiator-end of the larger diameter hose. No leaks and a good fit.

I used to use this book all the time at the parts store to find hoses for odd ball applications. Hard to tell fine details, but gets you a list of numbers to try:
http://www.chuckthetruck.com/files/ProductGuideHose.pdf

It is big - 7.5MB - but worth the wait.

Good luck!

That's cool Chuck, but who's part numbers are those???? I'd bet if I walked into the AutoZone store with an unknown brand part number I just get a blank stare.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Measure your nipple diameter on the radiator and the nipple diameter on the water pump.The local auto parts store will have it in a flex hose.I had the same problem when I put my 54 261 in my 51 Chevy truck.

I believe I went with a 20" long gates #25530 flex hose.
flex hose 25530

I tried the gates #20230 and took it back,must not have fit.



Tim

Thanks guys, I like Tim's idea of using a one inch smaller hose inside a larger one. I found several that matched the water pump but was a little to large for the radiator. Using the smaller hose should work. Fyi, my 235ci is from a 62 and I'm sure I bought a water pump close to that year.

I'll also check on the flex hose as well. Thanks for the help. I can always depend on you guys when I get stuck.

Denny,

I think Tim got it right.
Gates Rubber Company (Canada), looks to be the part numbers that Chuck has provided.

If you get a blank stare at Auto Zone you better go to another FLAPS.
To do a parts number search/interchange, you do not need the company name, just the part number.

25530 at CarQuest is the same part # 25530

Jim Carter has a lower hose designed for the original radiator and later 235 water pump. I ordered one and it works fine but seems a little flimsy (thin walled), so I don't know how long it will last.

I did my cob-job fix in 1971. If correct hoses are available now, I'd use it (but, I do not need it now because I am using the older water pump, with the water-pump relocation plate).

Yup - Gates numbers. You can the book at their website, but have to fill out a form.

Just got back from NAPA and went in back to check the rack for radiator hoses and found one hose that worked for upper and lower.I have a 1946 GMC one ton with a`54-55 261 with high waterpump the hose number is 9050.It has a 1-1/2"size on one end and 1-3/4" on other end.I cut to fit the lower hose and the remaining piece fit the upper perfect after triming about 3" off lenth

I ordered one from Jim Carter - very happy with it. Don