Radiator Hose Replacement

[demondeacon3]

Ok. Kids first day back at school, so I decided to dig into some engine work. I pulled and replaced the thermostat and also pulled the upper radiator hose. But, apparently the GM part (# 6259953) has been discontinued and doesn't allow me to interchange it for other GM or other manufacturer parts. Tried to find online with no success. Called GM with no luck. So, off I went to Napa. Pulled up the hose under 1982 P30, but not the right hose did I find. They had several come up, but none of them matched. Went to Advanced, AZ, and Papa with the same results.

Can someone help me?

Thanks,
Ron

[garry]

Did you specify a P-30 VAN?

OR try this

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...mh-110442.html

[demondeacon3]

Yep. Specified P30. Tried a year earlier and year later with no success.

Thanks for the link to the thread about the '79 hose. Unfortunately, mine is shaped differently.

I too went to the back in AutoZone and tried to find something close. Really couldn't find anything close.

Has anyone tried the flexible radiator hoses?

[Gregsch]

Search on my previous posts. I replaced my hoses a year or two ago. As I recall the hose I ended up using fit a ford 351. I spent countless hours talking to parts counter guys and searching on the web. My solution ended up being unorthodox but it worked out well.

[dadstoy]

Do you have the vertical radiator? If so, neither the upper nor lower are available. I used a Gates 22086 and cut a couple inches off the thermostat end to fit. It turns out to be almost perfect. I had an unused original lower hose that I use. I have no clue what I will do with that one when it goes bad!


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[Air Dog]

I had a very nice guy at a Napa in Duluth give me free reign of the radiator hose jungle. It took forever but I finally found a better fit than the original. Even eliminated a coupler, 2 clamps, and a short piece of straight hose. I didn't try to match the curves just the end locations and angles.

He opened the back door to the lot and let me have at it. Replaced both hoses, the serpentine belt, and replaced the antifreeze. Tried to tip him $20 and he refused so we went over and bought them lunch. I miss rural America!


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[demondeacon3]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

Do you have the vertical radiator? If so, neither the upper nor lower are available. I used a Gates 22086 and cut a couple inches off the thermostat end to fit. It turns out to be almost perfect. I had an unused original lower hose that I use. I have no clue what I will do with that one when it goes bad!


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Yep. I have the vertical radiator. Just looked up Gates 22086 hose and it does appear to be the right overall general shape. Think I'll give it a try. Thanks a lot.

[Protagonist]

I've used flexible generic radiator hoses before with no particular problem. Wasn't on a motorhome, though, it was on an antique car. You get more turbulent coolant flow due to the accordion-pleated shape of the hose vs. a smooth-walled OEM hose, but that's only a problem if you let it run low on coolant. If it runs low, the coolant can get kind of frothy from air entrained in the turbulent flow.

When shopping for a hard-to-find hose, there's no substitute for taking the old one with you to compare it to the new one.

[Zil]

My days as mechanic, many molded hoses had instructions to cut ends for other applications. We used many of the spring flex hoses, also, with out any problems. Must be care full not to use one that is too long.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Air Dog

I had a very nice guy at a Napa in Duluth give me free reign of the radiator hose jungle. .....

Tried to tip him $20 and he refused so we went over and bought them lunch. I miss rural America! ....

Having spent a lot of time I'm Duluth, MN - I wouldn't call it rural. Just Minnesota nice. Unless you are talking about Duluth, Georgia?


- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[Vycan]

Air Dog, do you recall the part numbers for the hoses you found to have a better fit?

[demondeacon3]

Happy to report that the Gates 22086 hose worked wonderfully for the upper hose. I did have to trim the bell off one end, but after that it fit very much like the original.

Now, the lower hose . . . I did get the Dayco #71710 hose, which is pretty close to the original hose and does fit. However, it is 0.25" narrower in diameter and does not have the spring reinforcement. I cannot get the spring from the original to feed through the new, narrower hose. I might try to make a new spring or find a spring reinforced flex hose to see if that will work. I know there is a lot of folks who feel the spring reinforcement is not necessary, but the hose feels awfully soft and it will only get softer with age. If nothing else, I want the reinforcement for my peace of mind.

[Auretrvr]

The is what the mechanic did for my 310: The Upper is a Gates 22086. The Lower is a combination spliced together from a NAPA 7370 and a NAPA 7463.

The bypass hose is a Gates 19670.

Because I am too old to attempt it for myself, I had the radiator recored and some other work done including replacement of air conditions hoses and oil gauge.

FYI the cost of the radiator recored (shipped between Iowa City and Des Moines, IA) was $690.

For the past 8 years I had carried a couple cross-referenced spares that never would have worked!

[Gregsch]

here is the link to the part #'s I used. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...mh-110442.html