I have a 348 in a 34 pickup truck and I am having a devil of a time trying to find a lower radiator hose that would connect to my Walker radiator. I have been to several parts stores but can't find one I can make work. For you guys that have this figured out, I would appreciate knowing the part number or application of the lower radiator hose you found to work. I don't think the flexible ones would be able to curve as much as I need.
A radiator shop in San Jose (1959) had the solution to this problem. It was a "****** bushing", made of neoprene...looked like a short (2.5" long) piece of radiator hose, with a vulcanized 'flange' on one end. (flange was where you stopped pushing the sleeve into the 2" hose) We put it on my pal's channeled Model A Coupe lower hose when we dropped the Olds in. Never a problem...car was around 'til it got sold to Marshall Sargent, in '64. He made a roundy-pounder out of it. Sad, I shoulda bought it.
Mike, I am hoping I can find a molded hose to solve this. My town is not a hot bed of automotive enthusiasts and its hard to get anything for old or custom applications.
I got one for my '36 at NAPA. Just tell them you want a hose reducer and what you're trying to accomplish.
The hose reduction isn't the problem. The problem is the shape of the hose I need.I see lots of hoses with different sized ends but nothing is bent in the shape to where I can use them.
A****er Mike and TagMan have good advice. Took me a while but I found this NAPA link (below). Most part stores will carry a flexible aluminum tube that runs from the exhaust manifold to the bottom of an air filter housing (heat tube) Pick one up, stretch it out and bend it to the shape that you need on your lower hose. It will be easy to compare it to the stock molded hoses at the parts store......Jeff http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Hose-Reducer/_/R-NBH902_0444893520
Thats a good idea Jeff. I had been trying to make a model of one and this is a better idea than what I was doing.
56don, I worked in a Mom & Pop Parts Store and later a Big Box. Had to answer a lot of questions when the Hot Rod Guys came in. Did you contact Napa about the Hose Reducer ??? Jeff
Jeff, I have found hose reducers. I am not too worried about getting the size right. The odd curvature of the hose is what I so far cannot find a match for. Its such a tight curve that I don't think flex hose will work so I was hoping someone who has put a W motor in a 34 ch***is had already found a workable lower hose so my lazy *** would not have to go to every store in the county.
post some pictures of your setup. fords with flatheads used tubing to join hoses and the 4x4 guys do it all the time.
Here is a mock up of how it will be mounted. It looks simple enough but its deceiving because the radiator outlet is more inboard than the water pump outlet.
Find a parts store that carries Gates hoses (Carquest hoses & belts are made by Gates). Ask to look in the interchange book. In the back section there is a picture & size listing of all the hoses that they make. They will be listed by the "id" for both ends. You should be able to find one that you can make work. You might have to cut it up, but there probably will be one that you can make work. I hope this helps you. Bill
56don, Nice looking Motor !!! I am still thinking on the hose situation. 55 dude is suggesting a piece of metal tube and joining it altogether with short pieces of rubber hose. Think plumbing supply for a section of pre-bent tube to get around the curve area. Just a thought !!! I hope you will be able to find a one piece curved hose that will work........... Jeff
Often have to use a couple hoses and a connector. On the 37 had to do this with a Walker radiator and used a piece of lavatory P trap to join the two together. It never caused any compromise.
The way we do it is we find a hose that has the shape we want in it and then we cut that piece out very simple just have to ask the parts guy if you can look at the hoses and find one that will work for you. Just remember to keep the hose number in the car in case you need one out on the road, most parts store handle the same hoses anyway. Good luck in your search.
Thanks for all the good ideas and help fellas, its appreciated. I think I found something that I can make work today. Don
I have a 348 that I run in my 34 ford pick up. I also have the part number for the correct hose. I use the same hose when I run a 454 in the truck also. I can get the number off my spare plus send you an installed picture if you wish. I had to use the middle section of the hose if memory serves me correctly. It's a tight fit because the hose has to curl back around. But it works perfectly. Gary
Thanks Gary. I sent you a PM but you might not have seen it. If you will, let me know the hose number you used. I got mine to work, but yours might be a better one.
If you could post the picture and number it would help me out as I am in the same spot on a 348 in both a 1934 pickup and a 1932 coupe projects. Thanks
FLat150, I found a NAPA hose#7042 will fit the curve but it needs an adapter to mount it to the water pump because its 1 3/4 at both ends. I put a sleeve in it and a section of 2"hose over the sleeve for an adapter. Gary's hose may be better, waiting to see.
I used a short piece of exhaust pipe to negotiate the curves. We have pre-bent sections at our local fleet farm hardware store. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Sorry about the delay. Wife had a new knee installed. So finally here is my lower radiator hose number. Gates #20475 I had to cut some hose off each end. It's 1-3/4" at both ends and it curves back abound and lines up with the radiator tube perfectly. I'll post an installed picture later. Gary
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