Lower Radiator Hose with Vette Radiator

[Jimmybeam]

Question for you guys running with a stock SBC water pump and a Corvette Radiator. That's the setup I'm running. My stock Radiator hose from the 4.3 Engine has the perfect length and curvature but the opening for the radiator is way too big. I'm interested in any solutions or if there is a specific radiator hose from a different vehicle that will fit the bill.

[Mike]

get a hose that fits the radiator and cut you a piece thats long enough to cover the radiator inlet, then put the bigger hose over that and clamp

[355V8S10Tahoe]

If you use a stock aluminum Corvette water pump with the Corvette radiator in the forward position you can use a Gates #21172 lower hose, cut to fit, no spacer or shim hose needed... That's what I did, keep in mind though, this is a bunch more work to do than the easy way that Mike mentioned... The hose I mentioned above more than likely won't work with a stock SBC or 4.3 pump, the inlet of the Corvette pump is higher up to the side and a stock SBC or 4.3 pump points more downward with a larger hose bib connection... The L98 C4 Corvette pump is a short aluminum reverse rotation pump and I have had great success using it on mine but I had to make it fit by modifying the right accessory bracket to clear the hose connections and use spacers between the pump and the block...



Here is how my hoses connect at the pump...

<hr width='200'><img src='images/jpg.gif'>: <a href="http://s10v8.com/members/355V8S10Tahoe/HeaterHose4.JPG" BORDER="0" target=_blank><font size="-2">image will open in new window</font></a><hr width='200'>




Here is how my hoses look in my engine bay...

<hr width='200'><img src='images/jpg.gif'>: <a href="http://s10v8.com/members/355V8S10Tahoe/CoolingSysDone.JPG" BORDER="0" target=_blank><font size="-2">image will open in new window</font></a><hr width='200'>




I originally did this setup to help with fan clearance problems I had with a stock position 4.3 radiator but when I changed to the forward position Corvette rad I just kept the setup and bored a hole in the bracket for the return heater hose connection at the pump... I think it didn't turn out to bad myself... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[Jimmybeam]

I must say, that is a very pretty setup you have there 355. But yeah, I'm using a 4.3L pump. I'm going up to the yard tomorrow so I'll just keep an eye out for a hose thats in good shape and the right width to fit over the radiator and under my current hose.

[355V8S10Tahoe]

Thanks Jimmy, I have another suggestion, when I'm hunting for a hose that fits I go down to my local auto parts store and ask them if I can go in the back and look at all the hoses to find something that would fit, you should also explain to them that it's a V8 conversion in an S10 or vehicle you have that is not an OEM setup... If you have a store that will work with you like that, it's about the best way to find what your looking for, just take your 4.3 hose and mach it up, and if you cant find the exact bends and diamiters you need, as a last resort you can find two hoses that you can cut and splice together, that's what I had to do on my upper hose... Good Luck!...

[riotpolice75]

originally i went down to auto zone and told em what i was doin and that i had no idea what hose would fit it. they were nice enough to let me pretty much take like 20 hoses with me and figure out what fit. the top hose ended up coming off of a mid 80's dodge pickup and the lower hose was a universal.







smith

[Jimmybeam]

My upper hose is actually the one that came stock on the 4.3, fit perfectly. I stopped at the yard today and grabbed a few different hoses and found one on a buick skylark that I cut and slipped between my stock hose and the radiator like Mike suggested. Seems to be holding up fine now.