Upper radiator hose substitute
 

Searched on the forum for a possibly correct (molded) radiator hose for a '65 GMC. However, the Gates 20496 hose is now discontinued. The lower 20498 is still being made.

Does anyone have a good substitute for a molded radiator hose for a radiator with the upper opening on the right side? And the regular style coolant crossover (not the later version)

Thanks.

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

Is this any help?

https://6066gmcclub.com/showthread.p...=radiator+hose

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

Unfortunately not. This is for the later style water crossover.

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

Would this one work?

https://www.amazon.com/Continental-E...MC+1500+Series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OUQX2A...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

I took my old upper hose to my local NAPA store and we pulled three or four similar hoses. Found one that worked with a small amount of cut off. Near perfect fit and has been on with no issues for several years now. Unfortunately I did not record the part number. Might try this method.

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

James: unfortunately not, it (Continental) is too large for the radiator. ACDelco hose discontinued. T-stat housing is 1.75", radiator inlet 1.5", Length of the current hose is about 19.4"

kknotts: might be my best bet. Unfortunately, I'm in the EU though. Most parts are for non-US cars.

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

Update: I've just ordered a radiator hose on Rockauto. They had the correct lower hose for the V6, for the upper hose I chose CONTINENTAL 60702, which is a lower hose for a 1968 El Camino with a 350. I came across this hose by using Summit Racing's excellent product filter. Regarding dimensions and shape, it looks to be close, but we'll see.

I'll update this thread whenever I have the hose.

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

Close... almost a sigar :)

The Continental 60702 is a close fit, but needs an extra slight twist on the radiator side. The length and the other bend look to be a good fit. I have no idea whether my thermostat housing is original. It is aluminum and has a 1.75" neck if that helps any. Can't find any markings on it.

Will see if I have to cut the hose to fit a small section of pipe in to offset the hose for the added twist or if it fits as is, without the hose twisting up. In the second picture I've manipulated the hose to create the extra twist (the first picture is as is)

Looks promising so far.

The lower radiator hose AC Delco 20028S looks to be a proper fit (as is expected)

More to follow, right now it is freezing here.

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

Looks real good! Happy that is working out for you.

Re: Upper radiator hose substitute
 

Good news!

I've gone ahead and test-fitted the radiator hose today. The hose fits almost perfectly, with a slight twist. Nothing that will restrict flow, though. The hose needs to be shortened approx. 7/16" to fit properly in my GMC. You could shorten it more but you will lose a portion of the 1.75" section, which needs to fit over the thermostat neck.

Attached are the pictures. The tape is where I've shortened the hose. I used tape for a straight cut and fitted a large socket to keep the hose from deforming when cutting. A standard Stanley knife was used to cut the hose.

In summary: for an upper radiator hose for the 66 and earlier models, use the CONTINENTAL 60702, and shorten the 1.75" section to approximately 7/16".

Hope this works on your projects, too. Put the Flexi hoses where they belong: in the dumpster.