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

[Dako]

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

 

[major50]

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

 

[Dako]

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

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.

 

[2059]

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

 

[MoparMitch]

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

 

[YY1]

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

 

[WileE]

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 !

 

[Dako]

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.

 

[MoparMitch]

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

 

[Dako]

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?

 

[Red63440]

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.

 

[Dako]

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.

Unfortunately none came close to what I needed...