radiator overflow hose - question

[FlatBlackBurb]

okay so i just got a new radiator. its about an inch and a half shorter than mine, but rarely do i ever work my truck too hard and it usually stays pretty cool around where i live so i dont think the 1.5 inches is gonna make that much of a difference. but we have a problem. all of the other hoses hook up fine to the system except for one. the hose that connects the overflow tank to the radiator right underneath the radiator cap.

the problem is, the hose is supposed to slide over a metal tube that is connected to the radiator. then a clamp is supossed to clamp down on the tube and hold tight. theres no tube to slide the hose over, there's just a hole the size of the tube that is supposed to be there. if you guys dont get what im saying i can always take pictures. anyways is there some kind of special adapter that will work for connecting these? it doesn't look like the tube broke off, it looks like it was meant to be that way. anyone got an idea?

 

[mofugly13]

Sounds like one must have made it past quality control. I'd take it back and exchange it.

 

[FlatBlackBurb]

bummer... i got it at the pick n pull with store credit... i guess ill go see what else they have tomorrow or something... so theres no way around it? its just faulty?

 

[mofugly13]

I do not know? I figured it to be a new radiator. Did it come out of a Chevy truck? Personally, I'd hate to trust my cooling ability on a JY radiator. But, also, I understand how the budget sometimes dictates the circumstances.

 

[FlatBlackBurb]

i figured not even to screw around with it... good thing too. went back to the junkyard and picked up a big one from an '87 3/4 ton silverado. its bigger than the one i got before and only has minor fin defects... otherwise looks to be pretty solid. so wish me luck im about to throw it in there and see whats up with it

 

[howdiy]

Is it an aluminum radiator? Take it to a radiator shop and have them tig a fitting on it.

 

[FlatBlackBurb]

new radiator slid right in perfectly! theres a slight problem though but im sure a gentle nudge or two with a hammer will straighten it out. the circular hole that the radiator cap tightens over is a bit mishapen... not anything serious though. i put my cap on and it tightened up fine. ill post back and let u guys know if she holds pressure or not!

 

[FlatBlackBurb]

yep the whole system works great. there isnt a single leak anywhere. i put water in it, ran it around town for a while, came back checked the fluid levels and checked for drips and leaks and there were none. drained the whole system and put coolant in there and it works great!