Flathead Lower Hose and Pump Question ???

I have to change a water pump ( again ) on the 37.
Could anyone tell me the <font color="blue"> lower hose diameter </font> for the radiator lower hose??
I always end up just cutting this thing off because they are so short and not much room to work with. I wanted to pick one up on the way today and forgot to measure before I left home this morning. I have changed three pumps now since I have had the 37 on the road last year at this time. Around 4500 miles.
These are the cheaper pumps not the newer bearing pumps.
Do these thing only last a short time??

 

i have 1 1/2" on my 48

 

Make sure you are not over tightening the fan belt. You need at least 1" slop or you will wear out the waterpump bearings. Your waterpumps should last for years under normal usage. I just bought my lower hoses (waterpump &amp; fanbelt) @ NAPA. They just cut the hoses to the length that I needed. Check out Fordbarn, there has been quite a lot of posts on this subject recently.

 

I just went through the water pump thing on my 46...interesting to say the least. Anyway, I think the hoses are 1-3/4"...either 1-1/2" or 1-3/4" I can double check for you later and repost.
One thing that I did was to cut the hose short enough to allow me to slip it over the pump outlet but still have enough length to slide it forward over the lower radiator connections. Ended up being about 5-1/2" long and still gave me enough contact surface on each connection. I also used a bit of petroleum jelly (not KY jelly ) on the radiator and pump connections so that the hose does adhere to either part. It makes it easier to get apart later if need be and also makes moving the hoses around a bit easier.

 

Thanks for responding guys. Is it 1-1/2 for sure??
Anyone have a 37 radiator in there rods?

 

according to Bob Drake's catalog the lower hose is 1 3/4"

 

Thanks tommy! Duh, it never even crossed my mind to check on line in the parts sections.

 

Just a tip, but if the hose takes a jog between the pump and the rad outlet, soak it in some hot water and it will be easier to manage. Sounds like you've had plenty of practice, though.

 

Iceberg nailed it - if you're running original style pumps with bushings instead of the newer/upgraded bearing pumps, you need a little bit of slack in the belt. Too much tension will wipe out the bushings in short order...

 

Changed the pump over last night. Went to install the belt back on and shit, I couldn't believe it. The crankpulley was split into two pieces. It actually split right down the middle right along the same direction of the belt at the welded edge. You could see where the loose portion was cutting right into the aluminum housing for the distributor.
Here this loose area must have been hitting against the pump on the left side to make it sound like a bearing problem on the pump. I drove the flathead 90 miles to get it home like that. How it held the belt enough to turn the pumps and alternator to limp home Sunday beats me.
Yes, I have had so much practice, I think I can change a pump over in 30 minutes
The crank pulley took alittle coaxing, attached a BF wrench on and cranked the engine to break the crank nut. Should be back on the road tonight. Anyone ever had one of these split? Now if I was the old man talking to my son, I'd be telling him" Don't tighten the damn belt so much".