Upper Radiator Hose help for aftermarket radiator - 81 Camaro

[dgunther350]

I just upgraded my factory radiator (aprox. 26" wide) to Summit's SUM-384003 (aprox. 32" wide) radiator and I'm trying to find an upper radiator that fits. I believe this new radiator is essentially the same size as the RPO V08 option that came with the Z28. It looks as if the factory hose was just a few inches longer, it would fit, but it's obviously too short now. Has anyone done this swap before?

Other than the need for a new hose, the fit so far is pretty good with the factory lower hose fitting nice. I had to purchase a new upper support (Summit#:SUM-G3920B) which also looks like it'll do the job.

- Engine is a zz350 GM crate motor
- New radiator has a 1-1/2" upper inlet
- Thermostat housing is also 1-1/2"

Thanks!

 

[73Z L92]

On my LS swaps I always need "special" radiator hoses. I take a piece of card board and make a pattern for the hoses. Then I take it to Oreilly's and search thru their hoses. Most of the time I have to trim the hoses to fit.

 

[dgunther350]

Cool,

On my LS swaps I always need "special" radiator hoses. I take a piece of card board and make a pattern for the hoses. Then I take it to Oreilly's and search thru their hoses. Most of the time I have to trim the hoses to fit.

Cool, thanks for the tip!

 

[73 Z]

You just need the hose for a 2nd Gen Camaro 32" radiator, IE: Auto Zone, Dayco hose E70392.
Might as well do the lower new too.

 

[CorkyE]

What 73Z said.

Any A/C equipped 2nd gen should have the larger radiator from the factory. Just from memory, I didn't think you could mount a 32" radiator in a 26" core support. I guess it can be done, where there's a will, there's a way.

 

[Twisted_Metal]

^+1

My car has the 26” (core) radiator in it and the hood just barely clears the radiator cap.

It’s 32” overall but radiators are usually measured by core dimensions.

If the cap was outboard any further, (as it would be with a wider radiator) the hood wouldn’t clear it.

This is the hose I used because parts store hoses didn’t look or fit quite right.

OER 3970124 70-79 Camaro Small Block Upper Radiator Hose

Don't entrust the life of your engine to old hoses suffering from dry-rot and deterioration! Replace your old upper radiator hose with this quality molded reproduction. Each hose features the correct GM factory part # 3970124 markings. Appl ications: 1970-79 Camaro small block

www.speedwaymotors.com

Here’s the fitment:

 

[sandlapper]

^+1

My car has the 26” (core) radiator in it and the hood just barely clears the radiator cap.

It’s 32” overall but radiators are usually measured by core dimensions.

^^^THIS^^^