Big Block A-body A/C Radiator Hoses

[matthon]

Anyone have a/c in their big block a-body with the radiator inlet (upper) on the passenger side?

If so, part #s for hoses?

Anyone have a 23" tall radiator, bottom to top of cap, installed?

The skinny:
383 factory bb radiator, inlet offset on driver's side.

Ordering new aluminum b-body bb radiator with inlet on passenger side.

Width fits, horns already moved.
New radiator 23.5" tall.
Factory radiator 22.75" tall to the cap, but it doesn't sit all the way down.

This will enable the future addition of both power steering and a/c.

The factory placement of the compressor would interfere with the stock inlet radiator hose.

I looked up b-body hoses and found:
Gates 20630 w/ a/c upper
Gates 20609 lower

I took a few pics of a 67 Barracuda with a/c, but unable to find the part# 338 04 A.

I have all the factory a/c brackets, pulleys, and power steering, plus other bracket kits to put the compressor under the alternator, no mechanical fuel pump, or where the power steering goes, if desired.

Looking to see who has gone down this road already, and has part#s.

 

[Daves69]

No AC but if it can help, I'm using a '68 26" core B-body radiator in my Barracuda. The hose I came up with when a stock one wasn't available at the parts store needed to be shortened on the radiator inlet side...............

A '72 RR upper hose is what I was looking for back then. It's shorter at the thermostat. Maybe a better fit at the pump side.
A crappy scan picture from way back ..........

I believe my lower is a 60659. Really tight down there and I have it padded for rubbing on the K a bit.

 

[matthon]

I'm using a '68 26" core B-body radiator in my Barracuda.

If you have dimensions please share.
Height from the bottom to cap.
Where the inlet and outlet are the center, assuming the cap is centered.

I believe my lower is a 60659. Really tight down there and I have it padded for rubbing on the K a bit.

I saw your pic when searching here before posting this.

For a lower hose, earlier I was using a 69 Road Runner to look up hoses, and both 20609 and 60659 came up.

 

[lemondana]

The Continental 60659 should work on the bottom. Might have to trim it slightly.

 

[Daves69]

..................If you have dimensions please share..............

24" OA height with a flat cap.............

 

[CRUZE 418]

The inlet is actually the bottom hose.

 

[matthon]

I guess the inlet of the engine is the bottom, when talking radiator it's by the inlet/outlet of the radiator.

HOSE FITTINGSIN: 1 1/2" - OUT: 1 3/4"

 

[matthon]

24" OA height with a flat cap

At the bottom, is it mounted same as factory, just above the bottom of the radiator support, or is it sitting right on it?

 

[Daves69]

On it. Way back when I got the car the radiator was already in it.

 

[matthon]

24" OA height with a flat cap.

I know I hit the thanks, but these measurements are invaluable.
Thank you for taking the time to create a full on diagram with lines and arrows and inches and feet and different colors and labels.

 

[matthon]

For my b-body Champion radiator CC375B-BLK in my 67 Barracuda I bought:

Upper 60621
Lower 60659

The upper I trimmed an inch or two off both ends, and it fits ok, there is a very small kink right by the distributor.

71281 for the upper, everywhere I look it states one end is 1.5 ID and the other is 1.75 ID (except rockauto which only lists, End 2 ID 1.75).

I need 1.5 ID on both ends for the upper.

Anyone know of a hose that would fit just a hair better, no kink?

Lower fits fine, no modifications, clears the oil filter completely.

 

[CRUZE 418]

Just shorten the hose at the radiator end, twist and turn till it looks good. Do not remember one hose having different size ends on the same hose. Anyone else? Oh, my hose has been turned 180°.

 

[matthon]

Are you using 60621 on top?

I've shortened both ends, twice.

If I shortened the radiator side again it will be into the curve and not seat against the radiator.

The kink isn't on the side or the bottom, in-between

 

[CRUZE 418]

Looking at your picture, looks like if you twisted the hose at the thermostat counter clockwise would get rid of your kink? My top hose is 1 1/2" and the bottom is 1 3/4". My top hose is old, no number. The bottom is a Gates 20609.
Forgot which site that I was on, my pictures are from my Road Runner, but should be the same.

 

[Daves69]

FWIW, on that 71281 I cut off the fat end...............