When you can't find a molded radiator hose...

• Oct 23, 2012

• #1

Dako

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So nobody lists a 'molded' upper radiator hose for my `66 Belvedere Poly 318...at least not one to fit around a dealer installed A/C unit. To get the car on the road, I installed a 'universal' hose.



With some time searching the Gates hose listings, I found a couple possible candidates. Ordered 2 likelys from Amazon and crossed my fingers. While each was close, neither would work without kinking somewhere.



But I did notice that each had sections that 'could be used...if I could find a splice.


Back to the web, and I found a 1 1/2" x 3" sleeve.


Using sections of the two hoses, I made one.


I think it blends in well. Total cost was about $40

 

• Oct 24, 2012

• #2

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major50

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napa show 7164 hose not sure it would be right for yours

 

• Oct 24, 2012

• #3

Dako

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major50 said:

napa show 7164 hose not sure it would be right for yours

Click to expand...

Yea, thats for a car w/o (without) A/C.

The old hose on this was another universal, only with a 90 degree at the radiator.


A factory style A/C would be a black, center mounted (V-twin style) compressor with a hose going around the driver side of it. Unfortunately these 'dealer'...or 'A/C shop' installed units back in the day didn't quite fit the same. Crazy me wants to keep the nostalgia of it instead of paying more out for a new system. As you can see the Clutch pack creates a clearance problem at the radiator. One of those stainless flex lines was not going to give me such a tight turn. This was my solution to avoid another universal hose using the 'custom' stand-off bracket (flat piece of iron with a clamp) pushing the hose away from the pump.

 

• Oct 24, 2012

• #4

2059

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That is a nice dog house! I can see why you'd want a formed hose. Good info.

 

• Oct 24, 2012

• #5

MoparMitch

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Back in the old days , before , no info at the Parts Counter , or just too many young people who didn't know s**t. You can just go back to where the hoses hang , and have yours , or a good idea in hand and find something that works. Sometimes you might have to cut a section out of a longer hose. but believe me , it worked. A formed hose always looks better!!. Find a real Parts Guy or a real Parts Store . JMHO

 

• Oct 24, 2012

• #6

YY1

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x2 on the above post, but I think you did a great job with an outside of the box solution.

 

• Oct 24, 2012

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WileERobby

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Nice job, looks good ! I cringe everytime I see a classic engine compartment with a flexible hose, a fugly radiator cap, & red heater hoses !! LOL !

 

• Oct 24, 2012

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Dako

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I actually was allowed to inventory the 'hose wall' at both, NAPA and Autozone...no luck. That's what drove this decision. Thanks for the comments.

 

• Oct 25, 2012

• #9

MoparMitch

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Hey Dako, You gonna be at MIR on Saturday? I'm sure I'm comin , carless though.

 

• Oct 25, 2012

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Dako

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I was on the fence, but 68sportsatelliteragtop challenged my 'man card'...specific words were, " Hey Dude are you going?" I figured if I didn't I would endure some serious hardtiming being that I live just down the road from MIR. Anybody else making it?

 

• Oct 27, 2012

• #11

Red63440

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If you take the time and do some research you will find that several mopars used the same hoses and engine combinations. Check out the upper hose for a 68 or 69 Charger with a 383 non-hp with a 22" radiator. I do all of my checking on Rock Auto...they have photos of the hoses and its pretty easy to see which one will work for you.

 

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• Oct 27, 2012

• #12

Dako

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Red63440 said:

If you take the time and do some research you will find that several mopars used the same hoses and engine combinations. Check out the upper hose for a 68 or 69 Charger with a 383 non-hp with a 22" radiator. I do all of my checking on Rock Auto...they have photos of the hoses and its pretty easy to see which one will work for you.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately none came close to what I needed...