I just installed a new radiator in my 65 with a 390. The upper inlet happens to measure almost 2" while the old radiator measured 1 3/4" and the current hose fit that. Now I need a hose that is 2" at both ends and if it is as hard to find that one as the one that was on there?!?

The closest I can find seems to be a Gates 20589 with 2" ID on both ends. Not quite the right bend since it is less than 90 degrees but no other seems to fit the bill. I'd rather shoot myself than put on an all purpose flexible hose.

 

Those accordion looking deals? Yeah I agree. Do you have the OEM part # ? That's where to start. If they aren't made anymore, you can probably find something real close that may just need some cutting for length.

 

Look for a rubber sleeve. When I put a new radiator in my '66, I used one for a truck with a 460 since that was what I had in there.
The inlet was too large, so I used a rubber sleeve. It came with the radiator, since there were several inlet size possibilities, but it might be available at a parts store?
Probably CarQuest or Napa over big box ones?

Hope this helps.

John - Banjo -

 

Call a radiator shop, they may have what you need...

 

C5TZ-8260-J .. Molded Upper Radiator Hose-2.00" diameter / Obsolete

1965/66 F100/250 352 A/T

MCDONALD OBSOLETE PARTS CO. in Rockport IN has 1 = 812=359-4965.

NOS PARTS LTD in Waxahachie TX has 2 = 972-937-2201.

NOS ONLY in San Jose CA has 3 = 800-667-6659.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 4 = 800-543-4959.

 

Just doubled check and it looks like I'm screwed big time. The radiator inlet is 2" and the thermostat outlet is 1 5/8". Can't believe a hose can keep the truck from getting on the road after 1 1/2 years of sitting.

The only hose I find that would work is a flexible hose with a 1 3/4" ID on one end and 2" ID on the other end. No moulded hoses that come close.

 

Mike, Did you take the hose with you to the parts house? I have found that you and a sales rep can look through the hanging selection of hoses and many times find something workable.


John

 

Yep, and struck out. The actual hose would need to be 2.12" and 1.75" and around 16" long to work. Not to mention the bend in the right location. We then used the Gates catalog because it had many more not hanging and we struck out there with all the moulded hoses So nothing by Gates will fit. There is only one flex hose at 16.5" and a 2.00"/1.75" openings.

I have emailed US Radiator about a design defect in their radiators for 1965-76 with the 352, 360 and 390 engines. With our thermo housing at 1.625" taking a 1.75" ID hose our upper inlets are also 1.625". Ergo the stock Ford upper hose at 1.75" ID on both ends will not work. Have to put up a warning about this so no one else runs into this problem of buying a radiator from them and not finding a hose.

 

Hope this helps - I just did a Google search for "radiator hose sleeve" and came up with a lot of hits. It might be possible to use the correct-shaped molded hose, using an adapter at one end to reduce the hose down to what you need on the engine.

Summit Racing - http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...and-extensions

Even the box parts stores had some options.

Also search for Spectra radiator hose adapter.

Other searches that came up with different brands:

Radiator hose sleeving kit
Radiator hose adapter

There are some that don't look right, some were braided, but there are at least a few that are inconspicuous.

Finally, I would check with the manufacturer about such adapters that should have come with the radiator purchase - my new radiator came with them.

John - Banjo -

 

Thermostat outlets came in two sizes, 1.75 and 2 in.


The aftermarket radiator in my 66 had a 1.75 outlest while the engine had the 2 in outlet.


I swapped the engine side for a housing with a 1.75 outlet and was able to buy a molded hose at Orileys that fit like a glove.

 

You went down which is easier than going up. I too thought there might be a housing with a 2" opening. Of course, looking around not a single housing available says what the size is as part of the specs whether eBay or auto store. Then I would need to get the hose listed above. Maybe I would find one but the problem is I am out of time. The truck must move by Jan. 1st or it must be flat bedded to it's new home.

 

Summit had an adapter to do down from a 2' hose to a 1.75" hose so I ordered that to be delivered tomorrow. Last resort is the 2"/1.75" flexible hose which is in stock locally.