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| | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 103 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 103 | The hoses on my 38 half ton are pretty sketchy looking, so I bought a hose kit. Now that I'm ready to replace them, I'm not sure on the best way to replace the upper hose (from the thermostat housing to the radiator).
The hose is a straight hose and pretty short. It seems the only way to remove it is to lift the radiator. Seems like a lot of work to replace a hose.
Any suggestions on how best to replace the hose? I'm worried about damaging the radiator/upper fitting if I try to strong-arm it too much.
I should add that this truck is currently a weekend driver, so I was hoping to avoid any major disassembly.
Thanks for your thoughts.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,199 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,199 | First off, cut the old one off, its probably stiff from age. Soak the new hose in really hot water to soften it up. Bend it in the middle and in one quick move shove it on both fittings at once. A little lubricant won't hurt.
Joe | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 | Joe's method works great.
If you are taking this chance to change the thermostat, while the you have the top casting off, put it into the top hose then bolt it back on. No bending and pushing. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 87 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 87 | I changed my 38 hoses basically as they suggest above. I used a reinforced spiral hose for my lower like the ALLSTAR brand that summitracing carries. That was a direct replacement to what was on there previously. It went on fairly easy with a little elbo grease.
I like it enough to change the top hose to the same.
Good luck with your project.
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| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | The inlet at the top of the radiator is quite a bit longer than necessary. On my coupe I cut the hose to the length where when I shove it all the way up on the inlet, it just clears the thermostat housing outlet then slide it down into position and tighten the clamps. Easy peasy.
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| | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 103 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 103 | Thanks guys. Appreciate the advice. I'll put a new thermostat in while I'm at it. Not sure what shape the old one is in.
I'm just doing minor maintenance things at this point, and trying to get the truck into a relatively reliable toy. I don't venture too far in it yet, not until I have a little more confidence in it.
The main thing now is to get the hoses replaced and get some new anti-freeze in it. Winter's coming!!
Thanks again. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 | You are right to be careful of the radiator top inlet. I thought I was being gentle and still caused a leak where the tank meets the core. | | |
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