[39chevy]

My 2 hoses top and bottom of my Rad are a bit big, not much but I want to take up the slack! I am going to cut a piece of tire tube, any better suggestions? Great site as always, Dana

[DeathRattle]

I am assuming your talking about the inside diameter and not length?
If so how much slack are we talking about? If its that generous of an amount they make rubber reducers that will make it fit correctly for a more permanent fix.
If its not enough to put a reducer on I think your idea will be fine.

[poncho62]

Get the right size hoses................With a piece of rubber in there, they are liable to slip off, leak....or both.

[123pugsy]

I've bought hoses that came with a short rubber sleeve to fit more than 1 application.Never had a problem.

[cornfieldcars]

The rubber reducers do work, they use them at radiator shops. If you're going from a modern V8 to an older style rad where the neck sizes are different they come in handy.

Barry

[pasadenahotrod]

There are several different sizes of hose bushings which make it much easier to use a hose that is good except for ID size.

[GMCTRUCKS]

I agree with poncho62 buy the right size why chance it after you put all your hard earned money then for it to over-heat I wouldn't forgive myself with that were to happen and I knew about the problem.

[hotroddr]

I made the mistake of using silicone between the rubber bushing and rubber hose end on a coolflex hose. On a hot Texas day, bumper to bumper traffic, the hose backed off the bushing. Bad day. Bill

[hotcoupe]

When I tried to replace the hoses on my rod I went down to the local auto store and they let me search through their whole rack of hoses. I probably looked for an hour before I got the right set. It looks and works a whole lot better when they fit the right way.

[DesertrusT]

Originally Posted by hotcoupe

When I tried to replace the hoses on my rod I went down to the local auto store and they let me search through their whole rack of hoses. I probably looked for an hour before I got the right set. It looks and works a whole lot better when they fit the right way.

you nailed it hotcoupe, you have to persuade them to let you search out your own hose. they'll try to convince you that they can find it for you, just take the old hose back and compare. you will get the right hose every time.

[pasadenahotrod]

Sometimes a bushing is the best choice, if you're in a deadline situation, if the parts guy isn't that cooperative, if you want to ride today. Bushings should be installed dry, no lube and no sealer, just slide it in the hose and slide the hose on the water neck or radiator neck, then clamp in place as usual.
There is no danger in using a bushing.

[hotroddr]

39, Another thought,FWIW, is to make one if you can't get the correct fit. I bought a 180 ubend, stainless, beaded the ends and welded it with my mig- I had a shape/size I couldn't seem to match up. Bill

[66GMC]

This might help you guys that like to browse through the hose rack.
Dayco dimensional lookup

All you need is an approximate total length, and the ID of each end.
Armed with the resulting list of choices ... you can view the pictures for the correct bends.

When you get dow nto the "short list" ... you can phone around to see who has one in stock.