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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Radiator Hoses

I am looking at what to do about radiator hoses. I has bought(at horrifying expense) a RV8 style radiator hose but because my engine is furthur back and my radiator is furthur forward than usual I am going to have to add an extension of about 10cm's. I was thinking that one of those universal hoses (made in the US) might be a neater solution, it actualy seems to have a more even/gradual line to it than the RV8 one. Has anyone ever have problems with these as regards airlocks etc?.
Peter

Peter. When i had to find suitable hoses for my sbc conversion, i just went into the local auto parts shop and they let me go through all of the other factory hoses that they had in stock. After a while, i found one that was close enough to fit with a little cutting. Perhaps this route may work for you if all else fails.

Alan.
Alan Raddatz

Peter
Do you mean one of those concertina type universals?
I had one fitted to a Gilbern Invader for a while, but it proved to be flimsy in construction and split catastrophically one day. It dumped the whole contents of the cooling system in the road in about 20 seconds! I replaced it with two hoses, actually, a V8 top + bottom hose connected by a short stright length of exhaust pipe. Not the prettiest solution, but effective.
Dave
Dave Wellings

You might try some of this stainless flex hose. I've no idea how you'd get it down under. Kind of pricy, but you probably would only have to buy it once. Here's a link to Jeg's Racing here in the states-

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=1129&prmenbr=361

If that doesn't work, get to Jeg's site and look for 'wysco'radiator hose

PED
Phil

The Jeg's/Summit universal SS hose is great. However, using it on the upper hose could have one drawback, in that you can't pinch the hose to expunge air, and so you'll initially have an air bubble. The best way to get around this is probably to drill a small hole or two in the thermostat, so that whether the ts is open or closed, you're pushing a bit of water into that air bubble. Tell ya one thing: you'll never buy another radiator hose. They last forever.
Ted

Peter

After cutting and shutting several hoses to make the bottom hose for my car, which looked very ugly, I was flabbergasted when my radiator man looked at it and said one thing!

"HQ bottom"

And he was absolutely right. My radiator is 50 mm longer (or lower) than standard (as most V8s are) and this fits perfectly, clearing the steering rack and oil pump easily. If yours is further forward you may need to add a short, straight piece however I cut about 65mm from mine at the bottom.

For the rest of the world, beyond OZ. HQ was a local 1970s GM product sold in the millions. You can probably buy parts on the Moon for them. $7.50 AUD.

My top hose is a different story, but a friend uses a Toyota Hilux which goes around the distributor better than Amway and lines up at the radiator outlet brilliantly.

cheers
Ian G Buckley

Peter,
I'm the 'Friend' that Ian Buckley referred to. The top hose that I used is the bottom hose off a Toyota Hilux and the part number is: 16572-71031 and the brand nzme is 'Mackay Silentruba'.

Kim.

Kim Porter

Many thanks guys, Part numbers and everything!
Peter

This thread was discussed between 20/12/2002 and 23/12/2002

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