radiator hoses

[coreyc]

Where has everyone sourced the rad hoses? Are you using universal hoses or are there ones I can ask for from a specific car?

Thanks,
Corey C

[Rick Parker]

Take a stiff wire such as a coathanger and bend it carefully and accurately to simulate the path needed for a formed hose. Take it to a good parts house and begin your search. It will probably be necessary to use more than one hose for upper and for lower hoses. If so use a short piece of stainless or aluminum tubing to connect pieces and form the desired shape(s). Try to avoid the flex hoses.

Hose, House, it's all the same.....they hose you

[Paul F]

Rick meant to say take it to a good parts store, but you probably figured that out. Yep, I did the same thing. Was never really satisfied with what I found. If I did it again, I'd do it with custom bent stainless tubing and short pieces of straight hose for connections. It will look better and then you won't have to try to find that same hose everytime you need to replace it.

[MrMagoo]

Just out of curiosity, what's the downside of flex hose?

[Rick Parker]

They create stress on the points where they are attached (the solder joints at the radiator specifically.)
It may not be a big issue on an aluminum radiator that has the tubes welded, I'm just not a fan of them (JMO).