What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Diesel Radiator Swap - hose problem

nvrenuf

nvrenuf

Holy crap, it's running!
 Premium
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Jan 7, 2002
Posts
22,135
Reaction score
12,119
Location
Mobile, Al.
Ok, I've got a 454 and one of the big CUCV diesel radiators in my K5. I bought rad hoses to fit an '83 K30 w/454 and HD cooling. The hoses are the right shape and fit the engine but aren't even close to fitting the rad, the hoses are too small for the rad nipples (both hoses almost go inside the rad nipples).

Any magical secrets or applications to get the right hoses?
 
buy the right hoses for the rad.

then extra clamps .

then do like older tractors do. hard pipe filler in the middle and correct ends on each end.

but i bet someone here will chime in with the better faster way to do this.
 
I know nothing about 6.2's, does anyone know if the water outlets on the 6.2 are located/pointed similar to a 454?
 
Water outlets on a 6.2 are: water pump/lower outlet points 45 degrees downwards and towards the passenger side. Upper outlet/Thermo housing points directly at the drivers front corner. I think this is pretty standard orientation for the GM V-8's whether small or big block and of course the 6.2.

Rene
 
I looked at some google pics of the 6.2 and the outlets on the engine look pretty big compared to a gasser. I guess I'll try to find someone with the hoses in stock so I can compare without special ordering. Worst case I can do like SweetK30 suggested but I'd rather have an off the shelf hose.
 
I think you're gonna have to adapt no matter what...

Rene
 
Don't know what you want to spend, but these guys may be able to help you
It wont allow me to post a url yet, but if you google search for custom radiator hoses or for flexfab. look under products.

flexfab.com/Products
 
If the radiator is new or in good shape and you'll be keeping it for awhile i would have a radiator shop change the fittings to the correct size for you.
 
All good suggestions and info but I'm still curious - has no one else done this? :ears: :D
 
Never done this,but I bet the diesels hoses will work,they have the same "bends"--if they are too big for the water outlet and pump ends,just cut a "bushing" out of your old hose and slip it inside the new diesel ones..(Parts store might have both the gas and diesel hoses on hand,you can see if the gas one will fit snug inside the diesel ones..)..use NO RTV,just install them "dry" or use Indian head gasket shellac if you feel you must use sealant,none in really needed ....

I've done this on gas radiators when I found one nipple was "too small",after bolting it in!..(doah!)..
 
Well, I checked and I do NOT want the local rad shop to work on this. At first he tried to say the rad was toast and when I argued it was good he start talking about how he'd have to "tear the necks out of the tanks" and then weld in a patch to put the smaller necks onto. Good grief... :doah:x eleventybillion Sadly, this is supposed to be the best shop around and they do great work for our dealership. :dunno:

I should be able to make a bushing for the lower hose as suggested but the top looks to be a good bit different from a gasser hose. Not sure what I'll ultimately do but I'll probably get a flex hose to start with just so it'll hold water for start up. ( :mad: I hate flex hoses :mad: )
 
nvrenuf said:
Well, I checked and I do NOT want the local rad shop to work on this. At first he tried to say the rad was toast and when I argued it was good he start talking about how he'd have to "tear the necks out of the tanks" and then weld in a patch to put the smaller necks onto. Good grief... :doah:x eleventybillion Sadly, this is supposed to be the best shop around and they do great work for our dealership. :dunno:

I should be able to make a bushing for the lower hose as suggested but the top looks to be a good bit different from a gasser hose. Not sure what I'll ultimately do but I'll probably get a flex hose to start with just so it'll hold water for start up. ( :mad: I hate flex hoses :mad: )
Click to expand...

That is exactly how it is done correctly. The tanks get removed, they remove the large nipples, make a patch with the correct size nipples then solder them into the tanks and then resolder the tanks back on.
 
I was really hoping/assuming (I know) there were some magical reducers like exhaust stuff that could be brazed on to change the neck size.
 
Had the same delima going on when i swapped the 6.2 for a gasser. After the rad. shop quoted me way to much ($150.00) to have the tanks taken off, patched and nippled said the heck with it spent $200.00 and got a brand new aluminum rad. Of course my trans cooler lines were on the drivers side so i had to bend up some new ones to fit the pass. side of rad.........i feel your pain bro
 
When we put the 383 in my K5 in place of the 6.2 we ended up with a piece of steel tube in the middle of the upper hose. Not sure what we did with the lower but I think a hose bushing was the solution. It worked for a long time (8-9 years as my daily) till the rad was pulled for other reasons. Not super clean but it was super effective. If you want to make it fancy use some alum tube for the the extension and some silicone elbows for the ends. You could even put a bend in the tube to make it look more official. This is common for rear radiator stuff and works just fine. So does a piece of steel tube and some tack welds around the end to hold the hose clamp.
 
I had this exact same problem with my radiator swap a long time ago. Instead of pulling tanks and patching they had a neck that reduced down. it just so happened that it fit tight inside the oe neck on the tank. they just pushed it into the oe neck, soldered it up and that was it. only downside (but not really) is that it pushed the hose connection away from the tank due the the reducer being at the end of the oe neck. If all that makes sense. It was a very easy fix and took very little money.


Trey
 
I have a redone 84 diesel cucv rad in my stepside with a 350 and i bought some flex rad hoses, summit/ jegs sell them. They use em in street rods and for special purpose, my local autoparts store had them although not near as cheap as the stock hoses. They come with adapter, in 2 dif lengths and dif colors. I cant think of the brand name tho, i hope someone chimes in...
 
pm clarkjw24 he has one in his truck

100_4518.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom