Upper Radiator Hoses

[Henry/Kokomo]

Putting an 8BA in a '46 Tudor. One "issue" is the upper radiator hoses. Upper block outlets are 1.25" dia. and upper radiator connections are 1.75" dia. I know you can buy 1.75" water outlets for the late heads but I'd like to hear how others have solved this problem. Thanks in advance.

[Bruce Lancaster]

I did this many years ago with no money or resources. I had the parts man select the shortest (cheapest!) hose of the 8BA diameter in the store and cut both ends off and slipped them onto the outlets. I forget what I used for upper hozes, likely a flex hose of sutable length, but it was purchased in early diameter and was a perfect fit over the stumps of the smaller hose. Radiator hose as an adaptor is pretty hard, so I double-clamped the lower connection. Worked fine.
Now, you can buy hose adaptor rubber rings which are softer and ribbed, I think.

[G.M.]

Henry go with the 1.75 goose necks then you will have a full non restricted flow of coolant. You will get maximum cooling and you can see the effects of anything you do that will reduce the flow. Maximum flow equals maximum cooling in 90 degree weather. Make sure you have a good working pressure cap and fill the water up to the neck. Try with no thermostats and if you think you need them go with Prestone # 330-160 these don't restrict the flow but only fit the 49 to 53 flathead engines. G.M.

[Henry/Kokomo]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lancaster

I did this many years ago with no money or resources. I had the parts man select the shortest (cheapest!) hose of the 8BA diameter in the store and cut both ends off and slipped them onto the outlets. I forget what I used for upper hozes, likely a flex hose of sutable length, but it was purchased in early diameter and was a perfect fit over the stumps of the smaller hose. Radiator hose as an adaptor is pretty hard, so I double-clamped the lower connection. Worked fine.
Now, you can buy hose adaptor rubber rings which are softer and ribbed, I think.

Not familiar with the adaptor rings. Who sells them? Thanks.

[Henry/Kokomo]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Henry go with the 1.75 goose necks then you will have a full non restricted flow of coolant. You will get maximum cooling and you can see the effects of anything you do that will reduce the flow. Maximum flow equals maximum cooling in 90 degree weather. Make sure you have a good working pressure cap and fill the water up to the neck. Try with no thermostats and if you think you need them go with Prestone # 330-160 these don't restrict the flow but only fit the 49 to 53 flathead engines. G.M.

This was my first thought but wanted to see how others have done it. Thanks.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Go to your local plumbing supply or hardware store and there is a rubber plumbing reducer that I've used for years to resolve this problem. I even used the chrome drain pipe from the plumbing supply to complete the look!

I think you can seem them clearly in the pic ...

[Henry/Kokomo]

Thanks, Tom. That looks like a good solution to me.

[38 Hump]

I bought reducer inserts from my local NAPA dealer ready made for both sizes.

[donald1950]

when i put an 8BA in my 41 truck i put a piece, about 2" long, of the 8ba radiator hoses over the goose neck, put some sealant on the outside and then slipped the 41 hoses over the goosenece with the hose on it and clamped it tight. never leaked.

[Bruce Lancaster]

Whatever brand of radiator hose the store has will have adaptor rings...probably better than the hose cutoffs i used.