Radiator Hoses
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Radiator Hoses
I went to drain the radiator and take it out yesterday. I disconnected the top hose and went to pull it off. As with most things on this truck, since it's 31 years old, it just broke right off. The hose rubber was so weak it just ripped off without much effort.
Obviously, I need a new hose now. LMC Truck has the hose listed for $20. JBG has the hose listed for $15. 351,400 77-79 Upper Radiator Hose
My question is - is this some special hose or can I just buy a regular rubber hose somewhere else for way cheaper? The dimensions are right there - 15 inches long, 1.5 inch opening on one side, 1.75 on the other. If I can buy this somewhere local it will probably be about $5 with no wait. If I buy it from one of those online sites I won't get it any cheaper than $25 after shipping.
P.S. Is there any way to get those alternator brackets out without doing all this work? That main pulley is in the way of the bracket bolt. The fan is in the way of that pulley. The radiator is in the way of the fan. I'm doing a lot of work just to get that tiny bolt out!
Obviously, I need a new hose now. LMC Truck has the hose listed for $20. JBG has the hose listed for $15. 351,400 77-79 Upper Radiator Hose
My question is - is this some special hose or can I just buy a regular rubber hose somewhere else for way cheaper? The dimensions are right there - 15 inches long, 1.5 inch opening on one side, 1.75 on the other. If I can buy this somewhere local it will probably be about $5 with no wait. If I buy it from one of those online sites I won't get it any cheaper than $25 after shipping.
P.S. Is there any way to get those alternator brackets out without doing all this work? That main pulley is in the way of the bracket bolt. The fan is in the way of that pulley. The radiator is in the way of the fan. I'm doing a lot of work just to get that tiny bolt out!
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I also think it might be somewhere on this RockAuto site but I can't pinpoint it. (Not sure if this link will work) 1979 FORD F-250 Coolant Hose Under Coolant Hose in the 1979 6.6L 400ci category, they list a hose as 1.5 x 1.75 x 16.5 which is almost the same dimensions but the picture looks nothing like the stock hose. That is a Gates hose. They also list a Dayco hose 1.5 x 1.75 x 16.0 which is again similar but doesn't have a picture. I don't want to order the wrong hose so any help would be appreciated.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Hesperia, CA
Radiator hoses are molded to a particular application. That is why they are so darn expensive. I assume that you are on a tight budget with the posting of your question, but this is one place you cannot skimp. There is a tremendous amount of pressure, heating and cooling on these hoses and they have to be properly designed to handle these stresses. A blown hose can leave you stranded in some pretty bad situations and it wouldn’t be worth saving a few bucks on a cheap hose to spend more later trying to get out of a tough situation. I would try to buy it locally for convenience and the lack of shipping. Try to get a good quality hose made by a reputable manufacturer. Gates is the one I use.
I am not familiar with that engine so I can not comment on the alternator bolt, but I can say that engineers did not design cars with service in mind.
I am not familiar with that engine so I can not comment on the alternator bolt, but I can say that engineers did not design cars with service in mind.
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I found a Gates hose and a Dayco hose. Right now I have the Dayco #70871 hose in my shopping cart because it's the closest match but I'm not pulling the trigger yet until I have some more information.
Dayco 70871: http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,33,70871
Dayco 81251: https://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,33,81251
Gates 25528: https://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,33,25528
Dayco 70871: http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,33,70871
Dayco 81251: https://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,33,81251
Gates 25528: https://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,33,25528
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Hesperia, CA
I buy a lot of stuff from Rock Auto and have never had a problem, but wouldn't it be just as cheap to go to you local auto,parts store and purchase it accross the counter. The cost savings from the shipping would just about wash with the local store and you would have it immediately.
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I buy a lot of stuff from Rock Auto and have never had a problem, but wouldn't it be just as cheap to go to you local auto,parts store and purchase it accross the counter. The cost savings from the shipping would just about wash with the local store and you would have it immediately.
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As a side note, I'm not sure why, but when I received an upper hose from NAPA I could not get that thing to stay on. No matter how tight I made the clamp. Once the engine came up to temp POOF! the hose would pop off.
Got another from Checker Auto and it has worked fine, no other changes made. Go figure.
Josh
Got another from Checker Auto and it has worked fine, no other changes made. Go figure.
Josh
