Help finding Lower radiator hose

[illrad91]

I got a 1980 360 and cold case radiator. The top was fine but the bottom im having a problem finding. The water pump inlet is on the passenger side and the radiator lower is on the driver side. Do I have a wrong waterpump on it? Thank you

 

[HemiSSDart]

You can have a radiator shop change the outlet on the radiator...

 

[remytherat]

You have a pre 1970 radiator with a later water pump. Gotta change one of the two.

 

[Professor Fate]

^^Yup.
Wrong pump for the radiator, or wrong radiator for the pump-, whichever way you want to slice it, one or the other has to change.
Unless you want to Frankenstein something together with hose pieces and couplers, trying not to interfere with the fan, shroud and trans cooler lines... It can be done, but looks like a cobble-job right from the get-go- and longevity will be suspect with a piecemeal job.
Suck it up and change the parts, and chalk it up as a lesson for doing your homework next time.

 

[illrad91]

^^Yup.
Wrong pump for the radiator, or wrong radiator for the pump-, whichever way you want to slice it, one or the other has to change.
Unless you want to Frankenstein something together with hose pieces and couplers, trying not to interfere with the fan, shroud and trans cooler lines... It can be done, but looks like a cobble-job right from the get-go- and longevity will be suspect with a piecemeal job.
Suck it up and change the parts, and chalk it up as a lesson for doing your homework next time.

Slowly and slowly im realizing alot of the parts on this car are wrong. What kind of pump would I put because idk how I would change my radiator.

 

[HemiSSDart]

Slowly and slowly im realizing alot of the parts on this car are wrong. What kind of pump would I put because idk how I would change my radiator.

I guess you didn't read my comment, have a radiator shop change the lower outlet, it's done all the time. The shop I used cut out the outlet and cut a hole for it to be welded to the other side, then used the piece they cut out to weld the old hole shut, it never leaked...

 

[illrad91]

I guess you didn't read my comment, have a radiator shop change the lower outlet, it's done all the time. The shop I used cut out the outlet and cut a hole for it to be welded to the other side, then used the piece they cut out to weld the old hole shut, it never leaked...

No I read it im sorry im just looking for more options. Thank you im wondering wouldn't that void the warranty?

 

[lemondana]

Remember, when changing water pump-pulleys and brackets all have to change also. The 69 down rad has the 1 1/2 outlet and your waterpump has 1 3/4 outlet.

 

[HemiSSDart]

No I read it im sorry im just looking for more options. Thank you im wondering wouldn't that void the warranty?

If you worried about voiding a warranty then tell them what happened, send the radiator back and get the correct one. With shipping it will be a lot cheaper just fixing the one you have. Changing the water pump may cost more than that too!

 

[Professor Fate]

Slowly and slowly im realizing alot of the parts on this car are wrong. What kind of pump would I put because idk how I would change my radiator.

You'd need a '69 and earlier pump and the early bolt-on style timing tab (since the side of the engine with timing marks changes) and you would have to re-mark TDC on your harmonic balancer. The pumps are different heights, so your pulley alignments will be off, so would need to be replaced...
Honestly you'd be better off following HemiSSDart's advice and having the lower rad fitting relocated, or just trade in the radiator for the correct one.

 

[illrad91]

You'd need a '69 and earlier pump and the early bolt-on style timing tab (since the side of the engine with timing marks changes) and you would have to re-mark TDC on your harmonic balancer. The pumps are different heights, so your pulley alignments will be off, so would need to be replaced...
Honestly you'd be better off following HemiSSDart's advice and having the lower rad fitting relocated, or just trade in the radiator for the correct one.

Yea im leaning more towards it to be honest. Do you think cold case would change it for me?

 

[Professor Fate]

Yea im leaning more towards it to be honest. Do you think cold case would change it for me?

Only one way to find out- ask them.
See if they'll do an exchange for the correct radiator, like HemiSSDart said.

 

[illrad91]

I'm not gonna lie this is crushing me jeez everytime I try to put the car together something is either wrong or isn't correct. I'm so close to finishing it too.im starting to realize im way over my head. This forum is the only help I get thank you all. Seriously

 

[illrad91]

Only one way to find out- ask them.
See if they'll do an exchange for the correct radiator, like HemiSSDart said.

What about a flex hose? Or a braided steel hose?

 

[Professor Fate]

What about a flex hose? Or a braided steel hose?

If you feel like trying to snake one in there across the engine compartment without interfering with the fan, shroud, transmission cooler lines, pulleys and lower radiator brace, go for it. Or just do it right.

 

[George Jets]

☆☆☆☆☆

 

[lemondana]

Measure your bottom nipple, if you bought for a 69 down it will be 1 1/2". With the alum water pump you need a 1 3/4". Make sure you tell them-they should know?