Who sells good repop heater hose? Few other hose questions too

[Some Car Guy]

I read an old post that some of the resto heater hose with the factory markings didn’t fit properly. Post was from 2019. I drive my car every chance, so I need good stuff on there. It obviously used to be good as my car has 20 something year old repop hose on it now. I’ll go with generic modern stuff for these if repops cause trouble, like repop belts do. Been there, done that.

Also what is the best way to cut radiator hose squarely? I have Gates cut to fit hoses coming for that. Don’t want to chance a problem on the bigger hoses at all.

I’d like to put a new spring in the bottom hose. Is that something you have to order or do I need to endure an interaction at Autozone?

 

[toolmanmike]

I guess I have never bought repop heater hoses but I can't see why they wouldn't fit properly. Most Mopars use 5/8" hose, some use 3/4" as well. Mega Parts USA has coded heater hose.

Cutting radiator hose squarely can be a bit tricky. You can use a hack saw carefully. They do make hose cutters like the Gates #91143 but you have to smash the hose flat to cut it and often the blade isn't long enough to cut completely through the hose.

As far as the spring goes, You will probably have to order that. I doubt if AZ has one in stock.

 

[SgtSuperbird]

If I remember correctly, about 5 years ago I installed Year One repops on my '70 B-Body. They were really difficult to get over the fittings and heater core. I thought I read somewhere that this is what you get, nowadays. They eventually went on and have lasted these 5 years without a problem.

This isn't a slam on YO, since I'm sure most of the heater hoses come from the same supplier.

I have recently bought a set for my '69 B-Body. I'm a little scared to try to install them, since I'm afraid to damage the old heater core, since quite a bit of force is needed to insert them (even with some lube).

 

[R413]

@toolmanmike What year of mopar uses 3/4" heater hoses?


I use the cutter shown above. If you need to cut off 2 inches of hose you can cut one inch off first to practice and see what works to make a straight cut.

What is the engine size you are working on? BB has a 1.75" lower hose, SB has a 1.5" lower hose. Need the correct size spring to fit the lower hose. Most hoses don't come with a spring these days.

 

[toolmanmike]

@toolmanmike What year of mopar uses 3/4" heater hoses?

Some of the C bodies do. I see it listed for a 65 New Yorker for example.

 

[SgtSuperbird]

'69 B, Big Block are the same size (5/8"). '70 B, Big Block are two different sizes (1/2" & 5/8").

And I discovered where I read about the difficulties in installing. I just saw in YO's description, the inner diameter is the same as the fitting sizes. No wonder they are so hard to install.

 

[Macdon221]

Isn't the factory heater hoses for BB 11/32?

Maybe I am wrong

 

[Some Car Guy]

69 440

List size is 5/8

Sounds like I need to just get some good modern hose and avoid an issue. Was going to chance it on the heater since you can recover alongside the road easier than a big hose problem.

I’m thinking of trying to get a pipe into the hose and cut with a razor. Just a thought at this point. I figure as was posted a cutter would smash it flat and be hard to get square.

Rockauto doesn’t list a spring. Is there a good source for these?

 

[BigFlo]

The search function on this site is your friend. Many posts about this. The first post gives a source from a Ford Mustang site, which is where I ordered mine. The spring for the lower hose. TMM

 

[Dave6T4]

A little trick to ease heater hose installation is to dab some Vaseline or silicon grease inside tubing. Another tip is to NEVER use Armorall to shine up heater hoses. It degrades the rubber, and they will eventually sweat antifreeze. Ask me how I know!

 

[dadsbee]

Isn't the factory heater hoses for BB 11/32?

Maybe I am wrong

11/32 is PVC hose..

 

[Jeff Peterson]

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[Some Car Guy]

View attachment 1881277

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Thanks, but I don’t have faceybookey so can’t see the full link. I do see that is closing in on 40 years old though. Good for a show car, not for what I do with mine.

Thanks though.

 

[bandit67]

I believe the best fan belts on the market are made by Dayco. I also buy hoses made by Dayco where ever possible. But I go thru so much I buy the 10-15-20 foot rolls sold in bulk off ebay.