I have it but I havn't installed it yet. It's not the same pattern as the original hose but it looks like it will work and others online say that's what they use. I'll be doing it this week so if you can hang on I'll let you know
Lower Rad Hose
- Thread starter pontiacgp
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Pontiac,
I know you sent me a PM on my upper hose and we discussed how I made that. I just found a picture of the lower hose I made for my car a year or so ago:
Like you my radiator has a 1.75" outlet and I had trouble finding a stock hose that fit. I made this up and it fit well but leaked due to the poor MIG welds.
What I actually ended up doing was taking a stock replacement rubber hose and after trimming the end off (my radiator outlet is at an odd angle to clear the frame) I took a aluminum tube and slipped it inside the hose at the end that connects to the radiator. I then slipped on one of those silicone adapters you see in the picture above over top of the rubber hose and clamped it down tight.
The aluminum tube allowed me to clamp the hose down tight without just deforming the rubber hose obviously. Just for good measure I wrapped the rubber hose in some self vulcanizing rubber tape before slipping on the silicone hose just to help make a tighter seal.
That sucker never leaked.
But now that I'm redoing everything (again) I've decided to make another steel lower hose since I have a TIG and can make a nice, leak proof weld now. Also because I don't trust the rubber hose isn't going to collapse on a long WOT run down a road course.
I know you sent me a PM on my upper hose and we discussed how I made that. I just found a picture of the lower hose I made for my car a year or so ago:
Like you my radiator has a 1.75" outlet and I had trouble finding a stock hose that fit. I made this up and it fit well but leaked due to the poor MIG welds.
What I actually ended up doing was taking a stock replacement rubber hose and after trimming the end off (my radiator outlet is at an odd angle to clear the frame) I took a aluminum tube and slipped it inside the hose at the end that connects to the radiator. I then slipped on one of those silicone adapters you see in the picture above over top of the rubber hose and clamped it down tight.
The aluminum tube allowed me to clamp the hose down tight without just deforming the rubber hose obviously. Just for good measure I wrapped the rubber hose in some self vulcanizing rubber tape before slipping on the silicone hose just to help make a tighter seal.
That sucker never leaked.
But now that I'm redoing everything (again) I've decided to make another steel lower hose since I have a TIG and can make a nice, leak proof weld now. Also because I don't trust the rubber hose isn't going to collapse on a long WOT run down a road course.
Bill, here's a picture of it with the Napa part number. I still have not installed it but if you look at FE3X CLONE custom made hose the pattern looks to be the same. One thing tho is you mentioned the next on your water pump is 2" and this hose is 1 3/4" on each end so it will be tight on on end and too large on the other. The stock hose is 1 1/2 at the rad and 1 3/4 at the pump so you'd end up with just one end tight. If you hose is in good shape and the problem is it's collapsing you can get a spring to install in the hose. I searched the internet to find the hose that fits my application and someone online must have a hose that fits your application. Personally I am going to make up a hose like FE3X CLONE's if the hose I got has any issues. His work is awesome and I thank him for posting his way of making that hose
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I have this same problem too. I am using a Summit universal rad. I had to cut the rad support and drop it two inches. The rad sits flush with the top of the support now and I have some hose I found at the parts store that fits, but it rubs the idler arm due to the lack of clearance between the idler arm and outlet on the rad.
What are you guys using for a rad hold down?
What are you guys using for a rad hold down?
Not sure why you went with a universal radiator when the exact fit ones arent that expensive...but anyway...you can get a top plate from GbodyParts.com. Thats what I used, although I may end up using a stock 307 hold down plate and shroud when and if I convert my fan from electric to stock. Not sure the electric set up is that much better for cooling for stock set ups....just my opinion.CdnCutlass said:
CdnCutlass said:
I have the same radiator. To help with the lower radiator hose I just bought a piece of aluminum radiator tubing, cut the existing hose neck off the radiator and TIG welded the new one on at a different angle to clear the frame and idler arm.
Also added a drain petcock at the same time.
For the top plate I just use the stock Cutlass plate.
I dont know the price of a universal, but the exact fit radiator is about 150.00 at AZ....FE3X CLONE said:
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