Custom Radiator Hoses
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 280
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From: Colorado Springs
Custom Radiator Hoses
Have any of you guys used those stainless steel or braided flexible radiator hoses? If you have, what brand did you go with and how easy were they to work with? Also, have you had any leakage problems with them?
The reason I ask is that I will surely need a custom bendable lower hose to work with my radiator and to clear the PS pump on my 302 Ford. The PS pump sits on the drivers side of the engine bay and the water pump also exits out that side and the hose will need to snake around in order to go under the PS pump pulley and make the connection between the radiator and water pump.
Thanks in advance... this is on my 1950 F3 with a '91 5.0.
The reason I ask is that I will surely need a custom bendable lower hose to work with my radiator and to clear the PS pump on my 302 Ford. The PS pump sits on the drivers side of the engine bay and the water pump also exits out that side and the hose will need to snake around in order to go under the PS pump pulley and make the connection between the radiator and water pump.
Thanks in advance... this is on my 1950 F3 with a '91 5.0.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,152
Likes: 4,750
From: Burbank, WA
Braided stainless hose or the really cool ribbed steel hose (chrome or stainless) do not have nearly the flexibility of a generic, universal rubber flex hose. If you have really cramped quarters, the rubber will be much easier to make work.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
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I have the same setup and was able to find a rubber hose that worked. I just used a welding rod to get a rough idea of the shape I needed and looked through all the hoses at the parts store until I found one that was close.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,203
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From: Southern SC.
I have the same setup and tried the rubber hose but the bends kinked it. Went to the stainless a d it works well. Not on road with truck yet but have run it to full temp with no leaks. Think it was from speedway or Mac's.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 291
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From: Ft Lauderdale USA
I have used the stainless ribbed hoses on may cars, easy to use, just bend and cut to length. I have used ones from summit and some no name kits from vendors at car shows, I have not had any bad luck yet, just pick them up and make sure they feel like a quality part. real tight bends could be a problem.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 914
Likes: 71
From: Lavergne, Tn.
I'm using the ribbed stainless hose on my build. I picked them up at the Hot Rod Reunion several years ago from one of the vendors. He had marked them down due to a small chip in the chrome. Not gonna be a show truck so the chrome deal didn't bother me.
Very easy to form and fairly easy install.
Very easy to form and fairly easy install.
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