coolant hoses......what are correct

[Mister T]

dumb question. my tee has a 68 302 and I am searching for new coolant hoses. What is correct for this motor ?engine came out of a fairlane or torino if that helps. radiator has top opening for hose on left side and bottom is on right side. Thanks

 

[oscar1955]

My T also has a 302. I picked up the hoses at NAPA, I was able to look thru their hose inventory and pick out the correct lower hose. My thermostat housing has the hose outlet straight up and made the top hose out of two 90 degree 1 1/2 ID hoses. I connected the two with a piece of pipe and a heat shrink type hose clamp. If you have the hoses off of your car you might be able to take them to a auto store and match up to new ones. I can also look at my reciepts and get parts numbers .

 

[Mister T]

I thought it might come to that. Just match them up best I can. The bypass should be a stock hose for that engine. Looks like the previous owner modified a hose to fit the top. Im surprised speedway motors doesn't carry these. I don't want the ribbed flex hoses.

 

[bobs66440]

There are no "correct" hoses. You just need to match one up as mentioned. I may end up using one of those stainless flexible ones...I used one on my Model A hot rod and it worked well and looked ok.

 

[baddawgcustoms]

And don't forget to paint the hose part number on your shop wall so you don't have the headache next time once you find one!

 

[Screaming Metal]

What Bob and BadDawg said! Once you find the ones you need, grab a little NoteBook and toss it up in the top of your tool box for reference. Whatever your parts that you need, write down that part#, because 4 or 5 years down the road, you'll be needing them. Especially seals and bearings....without those #'s, your up the creek so-to-speak.
After I get a motor tuned on the dyno, I issue a dyno sheet, but, I had index cards on each motor stating Plugs, Valve lash, temp., humidity, oil wt., type of coolant, air temp and motor temp, altitude. That way I know everything....but on my own personal cars, I have a fat little notebook with the part #'s in them. I even keep a copy of all my plugs, hoses, belts, bulbs, etc., in my wallet, for each car....that way, I don't need to carry the old greasey, tore up stuff with me....
Also, make sure the lower hose has a support spring in it, I've seen some motors collapse that lower radiator hose. The older hoses that are universal have a accordian appearance to them....(they usually don't need a spring, but the newer, lighter straighter ones have them)....they are old school. The boys that they have in the parts stores now don't know to check them (for support springs), some of them CAN be pulled out....

 

[Mister T]

I keep a big envelope for each vehicle with every receipt and bit of info for reference. Its not me forgetting the info its other people who might inherit the cars in the future. Yes my lower hose has a support spring in it which will be pulled out if new one doesnt.

 

[Keeper]

Take a piece of wire hanger (or left over brake/fuel line) and make a template of the hose you need.

Take the measurements of the hose diameters for each end.

Then head to your local parts shop and go through the "wall of hoses" until you find one that matches the size and profile you need.

Do not be afraid to buy a hose that is longer then you need, its easy to trim the ends and the ends you trim usually have the part# sticker attached, so its easy to store for future reference!