Frankie the Fink

What sizes are the heater hoses on a stock 270HP '61 ??
I can see that they are different and I can't seem to find the sizes easily. Front engine mount has nearly rubbed a hole in one hose and I have to replace it.

Are they 5/8" and 3/4" ??

FTF

mike coletta

You got it!!!!! 5/8" and 3/4"

AZDoug

I took a piece of 3/4" hose, about 2" long, and split it,and used black gorilla snot to glue to the heater hose in the rub area. You can't really see it,and it keeps the hose from wearing.

Such a fun job changing the hoses where they go thru the firewall.

Doug

Frankie the Fink

Great minds think alike - that's what I did not 1/2 hour ago!
But I'll get the hoses anyway and replace them as the one has a pretty nice wear spot on it. How hard is it to change the heater hoses inside the cockpit while I'm at it ??

Probably time - haven't touched the hoses since I got the car in '07..

62Jeff

It's not bad, just remove the package tray and the trim panel to which it attaches.

Frankie the Fink

Jeff are those 'inside the cockpit' hoses different sizes as well ??

1snake

Do you have the correct fitting in the water pump? It should be curved and installed so it angles the hose forward to clear the mount.

Jim

62Jeff

Yes. And if I remember correctly, one of the inside hoses is a formed "L" hose, not just standard hose stock.

Frankie the Fink

Good point but yes the fitting is there and correct....I just think somebody didn't cut the hose long enough and/or routed it poorly. I WAS missing the aluminum strap around the two heater hoses near the generator bracket (as an NCRS judge at Old Town kindly pointed out) so I've fixed that now too...

And Jeff - I ordered the whole radiator/heater hose 'kit' from Zip so I'm hoping it includes any strangely shaped hoses, etc..

AZDoug

About that hose thru the firewall thing.

It is a F***** PITA, as the old hoses never want to come off the fittings,a nd room is limited,a nd you are working on your back, hanging half out the door,

Now, what I did, when i had to change hoses last time was cheat a bit, as the hose at the firewall never sees any real heat, so i cut the hose about 6" in front of teh firewall,a nd spliced the new hose on with a piece of copper pipe and two hose clamps.

Not exactly NCRS, but it was quick, and you can't see it unless you have a mirror..

When i have the need to remove part of my interior and change the stuff inside the car, i am going to get some of that blue silicone forever hose,and use it inside, where i can,a nd also for the piece thru the firewall, so i can just change the engine compartment hose at the splice after that.

Did I mention that when I had the clogged heater recored and changed all the hoses back about 1989, that the little heater shutoff valve started leaking all over the new carpet about a month later?

BTW, I used the split hose protector on my new hoses, also. It isn't just a fix for a half worn thru hose.



Doug

Frankie the Fink

Murphy's Law of course

toms silver 60

Might as well pull and inspect your windshield wiper cables. They've probably been cycled a good 10 times since you worked on them..

Old Blazer

From my experience, Murphy was an optimist!

A few years after I bought my car my Dad was riding with me when he started yelling and pulling his feet back from under the dash. He was getting dowsed with hot water. In my case it wasn't the hoses that went bad but the heater core. I bypassed the heater and it is still that way ump-tine years later!

Ironcross

the cores are copper....be very careful and use a knife to trim the hoses off the nipples...pulling on them is not a option, it might brake the nipples from the core ...soap them up to make them slide on easier too...for what its worth, Gates hose makes an assortment of heater hoses with 90 degree bends in almost any length necessary...you might want to see if a local parts store carries them before you purchase anything......

I dont think the Corvette parts stores are smart enough to have them....

tach drive 61

hello frank , I do remember getting that under dash 90 degree hose at autozone of all places ! as far as changing yes a back breaking job But when i noticed a drip on carpet , I was very happy to see it was just the hose & not the valve ! now up front water pump/ the angled fitting as well as spacer shim on balancer leave just enogh room for non rub , still to close , i always keep eye on that hose !Not to change subject on thread but while your there be carefull of fresh air vent hose I ripped mine last year and am wondering who maked the correct factory Replacment , the one in my car seems very original, like a cloth, not some cheap dryer vent black plastic . any info there ?

1snake

Zip -#M-2400, Corvette Central - #451017, Dr. Rebuild - #8850115, Paragon - #575, Eklers - #58199 and on and on.
I guess they're smarter than you think.

Jim

Frankie the Fink

Thanks folks -- not my first rodeo. This is a good job for the frigid Florida February weather. If I can stand to work in the 72 degree garage...brrr..

wmf62

WOW... i see a cardboard distribution box.... i can't believe they did that as OEM...
Bill

wmf62

no, it's a copper tubing fitting, almost like you can get at the hardware store (which is exactly what i did when i was using the standard heater..)
Bill

Frankie the Fink

Sounds right - that is what Zip shows in their catalog on-line. I'm assuming my copper elbow is OK so I didn't order it. Also assuming the heater control valve is good but I'll examine it when I get under there....we'll see...