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Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Sharpone, Jan 18, 2026.

  1. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Got the heater core box painted in between my wrestling match with the lower radiator hose.
    Dan IMG_3881.jpeg
     
  2. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    IMG_3876.jpeg IMG_3878.jpeg My struggles with the lower radiator hose is real
    Radiator Hose. 100
    Dan 0
    The bottom pic isn’t to good but I either kink the hose or I’m off parallel about 2 inches.
    I’ll return these hoses and try plan D
    Or R for custom radiator I may end with a custom radiator about 50/50 chance the /6 radiator will not be big enough.

    Dan
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2026 at 8:39 PM
  3. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 4,165

    oldiron 440
    Member

    Your photo of the heater core reminds me that I need to get one for the Fairlane, something I have put off for years.:)
     
  4. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Some really aren’t fun the Dart wasn’t to bad. I had a bad one on an OT 68 Torino that really ****ed.
    Dan
     
  5. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 4,165

    oldiron 440
    Member

    It’s funny because I don’t like the heater hoses coming off the front of the small block Ford and I probably don’t drive the old Ford but for a few days in may or October but when there’s a chill in the air the heater sure is nice. I’ve got a Edelbrock water pump with screw in fittings so maybe I should make hard lines coming off the pump to the back of the engine then enough hose to keep things from failing. IDK it all sounds like work to me…
     
  6. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 4,165

    oldiron 440
    Member

    You must be getting close to a startup.
     
  7. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Still trying to make a lower radiator hose work. I think I can use a Gates flex hose with 1-1/2” and 1-3/4” ends 16 inches long.
    I want to get it running and moving maybe a short drive.
    Amazing how much time I spend looking for some items.
    Dan
     
  8. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 3,525

    Tow Truck Tom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Clayton DE

    Good Job Good job
    Ya know there is no shame in finding a local gl*** shop that will listen to your story,
    while asking if they can share any tips ( does / don'ts ).
    Disclaimer I would be leery of any help unless the volunteer is 'Over the hill'
    Some one has helped themselves to several items in my shop.:mad::mad::mad:
    I'm gonna guess that they aren't mature enough to respect ownership.
     
  9. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks for the tip.
    Oh man that’s really to bad about your shop stuff. Some people just don’t care. :( What some people don’t realize or maybe they do is that some things have more value than what they’re worth dollar wise. I have some tools from both of my grandfathers that I would be sick if someone stole them. I’m sure most of us have items that into that category.
    Dan
     
  10. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 6,043

    gene-koning
    Member

    It looks to me that the slant 6 radiator is your biggest problem. The bottom hose connection appears to point upward, a V8 lower radiator hose would point towards the motor, straight out and almost level with how it exits the bottom tank.
    Seeing your picture reminded me that most of the 6 cylinder radiators had the lower hose connection pointing mostly upward.
     
    chryslerfan55 and Sharpone like this.
  11. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You are correct. Needs two bends in a short distance to work. I think a gates flexible hose 16 inches long with a 1-1/2” end and a 1-3/4” end will work.
    Dan
     
    chryslerfan55 and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  12. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 6,043

    gene-koning
    Member

    I have joined two hoses clamped together with a short piece of exhaust pipe between them, to make a hose with a strange combination of curves. If you paint the pipe black before you install it, it will last a very long time.
     
  13. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 5,020

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Done that several times myself.
     
  14. Stock Racer
    Joined: Feb 28, 2010
    Posts: 1,393

    Stock Racer
    Member

    This is how I did mine. I got the connector from Summit.
    IMG_4745.jpg IMG_4746.jpg IMG_4749.jpg
     
  15. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks
    Dan
     
  16. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 6,043

    gene-koning
    Member

    That is a nicely illustrated explanation of creating a custom radiator hose. The connector is a nice addition, but a simple short piece of exhaust pipe works just as well, if you have a piece laying around.

    If the diameter of the hose is too large and fits too loose on the male connection, I have inserted a smaller piece of hose inside the larger diameter hose (for just over the male pipe ****** end), and clamped it together like its one thick hose. There are rubber pieces available you can buy for that specific application as well, if you don't feel comfortable with just using a smaller diameter hose.
     
  17. Ziggster
    Joined: Aug 27, 2018
    Posts: 3,311

    Ziggster
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I can understand the struggles of looking for the correct rad hose. Been there done that. IIRC, I found a Gates catalogue on-line that was at least a starting point. During that rabbit hole I came across several vids on YT showing how to bend your own custom hose. Never watched any of them so can’t say for sure if it works, but maybe worth exploring,
     
  18. My late father left me his tools and box and they are priceless.Especially the tools that he customized to do certain tasks.
     
  19. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Woke up to 10 - 12 inches of snow. Hey it’s Wisconsin we go from 50 to 0 in a blink. Of course when it rains it pours. My water well started cycling very quickly means I lost air pressure in the pressure tank. Checked lines for leaks nope. I need a new flapper.
    On a good note I found some heavy
    1-1/2” tubing to use on the lower radiator hose.
    Dan
     
  20. Ziggster
    Joined: Aug 27, 2018
    Posts: 3,311

    Ziggster
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Had a leaking flapper as well. Took me a while to figure out why my pressure was so low. It’s amazing how much a leaking flapper can affect pressure/flow. Glad to hear you found a hose.
     
  21. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 6,043

    gene-koning
    Member

    Dan, I'm 60 miles east of Dubuque IA and 20 miles south of Monroe WI, we only got a light trace of snow on the gr*** over night, but its been spitting snow flakes off & on and the strong winds have been blowing out of the west all day. Its OK with me if you just keep that 10" - 12" of snow up there with you. :D
    Sorry to hear about the flapper valve on your well pump, but replacing the flapper valve is probably a lot cheaper then replacing well pipe or the pump. Been there, done that, 25 years ago.
     
  22. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Not sure what path the snow took but 15 miles east of the river is about 6 inches. Traveling east today and only 3 or 4 near Richland Center.
    Weird
    Dan
     
  23. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 4,165

    oldiron 440
    Member

    In northern Iowa we received 3”+- last night, well I guess after 3 yesterday afternoon. I sure miss the fifty degree days earlier this week.
     
  24. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,363

    Sharpone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Last edited: Feb 21, 2026 at 11:16 PM
  25. Ziggster
    Joined: Aug 27, 2018
    Posts: 3,311

    Ziggster
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    These 90 degree elbows from Gates saved my bacon. Can’t recall what size you’re looking for but I’m sure they likely have it.

    IMG_5173.jpeg
    IMG_5174.jpeg

    A long shot, but Gates 20225 looks like it might sorta work again depending on ID that you need.

    IMG_5175.jpeg
     

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