lower radiatior hose problem

I can't seem to find a lower radiator hose to fit my 225 v6 properly. The Gates 20355 kinks when cut and installed and this is the hose that is suposed to fit. The fact that you have to cut it tells me that it isn't really made for this engine, and when it kinks that tells me it's a poor choice. There has got to be people out there that have changed there lower radiator hose before. What did you use or how did you solve the problem.

 

Both of my hoses are flex. Sorry but dont have any numbers. Never had a problem with either.

 

The lower radiator hose is not supposed to be cut to fit. At least none of them I have ever bought did. This is for the 71 model with the 17" x 22" radiator though.

 

Many Gates applications need to be cut to fit. This allows fewer stocking numbers to cover more applications. The Gates book has instructions for cutting next to the look-up entry. The Gates web site has a look-up - you can check the application. No time to look it up right now, maybe later.

Typically the hose will have a paint stripe with a letter if you need to cut.

Any molded lower hose should come with an internal spring which also needs to be cut. The flex hoses do not have a spring, but they are rigid enough to not collapse. Nothing wrong with the flex hose, if it works for your application.

 

Was there a wire molded into the hose, in addition to a "spring" inserted in the middle?

All the flex hoses I sold had a wire molded into the rubber hose. They were not specific to top or bottom.

 

Gates number is a 20355 and you cut it at letter "A". The NAPA number is NBH7196 and you cut it at letter "A". If I remember right, Gates makes the hoses for NAPA.

 

I cut the Gates hose on the line as directed but couldn't keep it from kinking. When I compared it to the stock hose that's on the jeep now the angles didn't match exactly. The lower hose being so short has to match to fit properly, unfortunatly the old hose is so worn out I can't keep it from leaking. Rock Auto sells a goodyear and a delco hose as well but they also have to be cut. Has anyone had any luck with either of these hoses. I'm tempted to try a flex hose but the angles are so sharp and the hose is so short that I don't see it working very well. I would appreciate any further input from the members.

 

I have the Gates 20355 on my 70-works fine except it rubs on the end of the oil filter a little bit.The oil filters you can buy nowdays are a little longer than the stock ones were. I cut a sleeve out of an old radiator hose & slipped it over the new one to prevent chafing.

 

hey rossbos
i had the same problem on my '66. i bought napa and gates hoses and had the same kinking problem when installed as manufactured and after cutting them where i thought it might help, it did'nt. i now have a flex hose and it works fine, but would like a smooth molded one if it exists. please post if you solve the puzzle! good luck

 

I'll check to see if I still have a number on mine. I am running a 231 but I believe I bought the hose for a 225.

 

I used a Gates 20355 for my '71 model (good for '69-'71). My research shows a Gates 20473 for a '66-'68 model.
None of my FLAPS (and I checked 4 different regional suppliers) had a direct listing for a '71 CJ5 w/ 225 engine.
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/album.php?albumid=364&pictureid=2421
I had to trim about 2" from the lower end and about 1" from the upper end.

 

skip the book application
ask the FLAPS to let you walk down hose row and pick out a few.

 

Here's a pic of the Gates 20355 on my 70 CJ5