The Ford Barn

3739ford · 10-27-2019, 07:29 AM

Looking ahead and brought what I think is original 39 ford radiator into the barn to be cleaned up. I noticed the connector at the top of the radiator is 1 3/4 inches while the thermostat housing on the 8ba is 1 1/4. I'm building a 276 cu. in. and had Skip rebuild my water pumps. Does it matter at all if the radiator hose sleeve/reducer goes up at the radiator, or at the thermostat housing. One way gives me larger capacity hose the other reduces.

I live in the deeeeep South where triple digit temps are a norm these days. Just wondering what some of you are running.

oldskool · 10-27-2019, 07:37 AM

they sell 1 3/4 thermostat housings for the 8ba or you can just cut a piece of 1 1/4 hose and put it over you existing housings and clamp a 1 3/4 hose over it

3739ford · 10-27-2019, 09:04 AM

I've searched without success for another thermostat housing that will take a 1 3/4 inch hose. Can someone provide link.

tubman · 10-27-2019, 09:13 AM

That's probably not a problem, because the last time I looked, they were waaaay overpriced. There are cheaper ways to do it.

Here they are. https://www.bobdrake.com/FordItem.aspx?Item=HR-8592-A. Knowing "Back-order Bob", he's probably out.

marko39 · 10-27-2019, 09:22 AM

I have a set from Drake and although not cheap they are stainless steel and well made. I think they are back in stock.

51504bat · 10-27-2019, 11:02 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

When all the normal suppliers were out of stock for 1 3/4 inch thermostat housings for an 8ba I bought mine from Gene at Model Engineering. Excellent quality, good price, and reasonable shipping. JMO

10-27-2019, 07:29 AM	#1
3739ford Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Dothan, AL Posts: 325	Top radiator hose question Looking ahead and brought what I think is original 39 ford radiator into the barn to be cleaned up. I noticed the connector at the top of the radiator is 1 3/4 inches while the thermostat housing on the 8ba is 1 1/4. I'm building a 276 cu. in. and had Skip rebuild my water pumps. Does it matter at all if the radiator hose sleeve/reducer goes up at the radiator, or at the thermostat housing. One way gives me larger capacity hose the other reduces. I live in the deeeeep South where triple digit temps are a norm these days. Just wondering what some of you are running.

10-27-2019, 07:37 AM	#2
oldskool Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: shirley ny Posts: 992	Re: Top radiator hose question they sell 1 3/4 thermostat housings for the 8ba or you can just cut a piece of 1 1/4 hose and put it over you existing housings and clamp a 1 3/4 hose over it

10-27-2019, 09:04 AM	#3
3739ford Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Dothan, AL Posts: 325	Re: Top radiator hose question I've searched without success for another thermostat housing that will take a 1 3/4 inch hose. Can someone provide link.

10-27-2019, 09:13 AM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,316	Re: Top radiator hose question That's probably not a problem, because the last time I looked, they were waaaay overpriced. There are cheaper ways to do it. Here they are. https://www.bobdrake.com/FordItem.aspx?Item=HR-8592-A. Knowing "Back-order Bob", he's probably out.

10-27-2019, 09:22 AM	#5
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Top radiator hose question I have a set from Drake and although not cheap they are stainless steel and well made. I think they are back in stock.

10-27-2019, 11:02 AM	#6
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,018	Re: Top radiator hose question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When all the normal suppliers were out of stock for 1 3/4 inch thermostat housings for an 8ba I bought mine from Gene at Model Engineering. Excellent quality, good price, and reasonable shipping. JMO __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.