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Using the stock 91 TPI radiator their hose is only flared on one end which means it will either fit over the radiator or the water pump but not both. Had they simply flared it on BOTH ends it would fit fine.
Their first response. "Have to Lube her up or a little heat will do the Job"
Their second response "Most of the time we use an Aftermarket Radiator and the OD is different from stock only use the Flared end and the Thermostat housing"
There is NOTHING in the description about using an aftermarket radiator and if someone did why would you expect it to have a smaller opening necessarily?
Last time I made my own hose because these aftermarket options didn't exist, but now that they do and I pay more for them it would be nice if they actually worked.
I have always had to make my own. I typically ask the parts store if I can wander through the forest of hoses in the back and find one that can be cut to fit my needs. In fairness to them though, not all lower thermostat housings have the same OD. Some LS came with 1.5" and some 1.25". If you can't find a hose, you may want to swap housings. None the less, hawks should provide more details.
The flared end fits over the T-stat housing just fine. They say the flared end is supposed to go over the water pump side so even with the different size housing that's fine.
It's the fact the other end, which in this case I am showing against the t-stat housing, because it's easier to take the pic and the radiator inlet is the same size, is too small for a stock 91 TPI radiator because according to them they designed it for an aftermarket radiator with nothing about that in the notes when you buy it. Also how would they know what size aftermarket radiator inlet you might use, much less why would you design it for an arbitrary aftermarket radiator and not the stock one?
I used my own hose. Partly off a Ford back in 2008 when I did this. I thought by now paying extra for 'custom' parts they would just work.
Just for clarity I took a pic of the end that's supposed to go over the radiator, just not a stock one apparently.
Did u guys ever check to see if Gates makes the hose that u require? Check it out on rockauto.com That is here I purchase the rad hoses & heater hose for my '84 Trans AM 305
Upper radiator hose seems to be straightforward, but I have never seen a true fit lower hose for a water pump with side-facing thermostat housing stub. There is some kind of compromise in any case.
The forward-facing thermostat housing stub is a different story though. I have seen a fantastic hose combo with that. I don't have an example off top of my head but I will dig through my old bookmarks.
The forward-facing thermostat housing stub is a different story though. I have seen a fantastic hose combo with that. I don't have an example of top of my head but I will dig through my old bookmarks.
Sorry, apparently I don't have a bookmark for forward-facing thermostat housing stub. It was really good fit though. I wish I had kept track of where I found that.
I just came up with a good fitting lower that I cut out from a gates hose I eyeballed in the parts store. I actually had to ditch from the front mount housing back to a GM side angle. The front style interferes with some front accessory setups.
I just came up with a good fitting lower that I cut out from a gates hose I eyeballed in the parts store. I actually had to ditch from the front mount housing back to a GM side angle. The front style interferes with some front accessory setups.
Got a part number and general locations of cut?
Does it clear the steering idler bolts? That's the compromise with the Jeep Cherokee hose... it's kind of difficult to keep it from touching the bolts.
Does it clear the steering idler bolts? That's the compromise with the Jeep Cherokee hose... it's kind of difficult to keep it from touching the bolts.
Yes, I'll get all this info soon. I will preface this by saying I did have to use a -16an adapter since my radiator is plumbed that way. This is probably the 3rd different hose routing config I've come up with and is likely the best (for my application). However, The hose I found likely could be used for a stock style radiator (just cut in a different spot). Info coming soon.
Ok, I'm a total liar. Looks like a used something I had on hand with a 1.5 OD. I used a modified gates 22328 for the upper (1.25 OD) and now am questioning what I used for the lower. I also forgot that I have a 90deg outlet adapter coming out of the lower radiator to avoid the DSE wonderbar set up. Let me sort all this out because I completely botched any help I was offering.
The early LS vettes use the same hose as 4th gen LS equipped models. Ive got one of those on my car and the lower is the cherokee piece w/ the ends trimmed back.
I had the same issue and got the same response. Heat definitely helped and I was able to get it to stretch over the water pump. I don't have it connected to the radiator in this picture (that's why it looks a little kinked).
02-01-2024, 07:16 AM
