Radiator bottom hose - which way round to fit?

[Rod1883]

A couple of simple question, hopefully....
My radiator ('74, MK2) is due back from the recorer tomorrow so I'm doing a few other things whilst access is good - new drive belts for example, cleaning the area up, and getting new hoses and a replacement stainless steel coolant pipe ready.

The hose from the top of the pipe to the water pump has both legs the same length, but the new bottom hose seems to have one 'leg' longer than the other - is this right, and if so should it be fitted long leg to the radiator, or to the pipe?
When I refit the radiator, would it be a good idea to use a thin rubber 'gasket', perhaps a piece of old bicycle inner tube, as an insulator/shock absorber underneath the radiator where the captive bolts go through the cross member?

Thanks again all.
Rod

[Always wanted a Stag]

Hi Rod
I always put the short length onto the radiator so that the stainless steel pipe is kept close to the radiator and CLEAR of the alternator otherwise the alternator fan has a habit of clipping the pipe's jubilee clip. Make sure that you bear this in mind when fitting the pipe's jubilee clip so that it also gives the alternator a wide berth.
Best regards
Paul

[Rod1883]

Thanks Paul.
The old hose had clearly been in contact with the alternator when I took it all apart.
Hopefully the combination of a new alternator belt, a new stainless pipe and new hose elbows, and your guidance on which way round to fit, will solve the problem.

An issue I might have is the long bolt that holds the pipe clip onto the front of the engine has clearly 'picked up' on the thread so I don't know how well it will hold when I put it all back. I have cleaned it all up, and I intend to use some Loctite type threadlock to hold it all securely.

[dasadrew]

I found that it was necessary to slightly shorten mine by cutting off about 1cm so it fitted nicely and cleared any potential obstruction.

Drew

[ukbiggles]

I found that it was necessary to slightly shorten mine by cutting off about 1cm so it fitted nicely and cleared any potential obstruction.

Drew

Me too!!

[Rod1883]

Thanks all for the advice.

Does anyone know the size and thread of the bolt that holds the pipe clip onto the front of the engine, and the part number for it? I might be better getting a new one and I can't find it listed on any suppliers sites.

[stag8manod]

While the rad is out Heli-coil the damaged thread and use a new bolt.
Cheers Ian A

[richardthestag]

Thanks all for the advice.

Does anyone know the size and thread of the bolt that holds the pipe clip onto the front of the engine, and the part number for it? I might be better getting a new one and I can't find it listed on any suppliers sites.

never had that clip/bolt but it will be a UNC thread I feel sure.

I would concentrate on making sure that the hose and it's clip are nowhere near the alternator pulley. easy to do.

but more importantly that your new stainless tube has the flanges to stop the hoses shooting straight off it.

good luck Richard

[PJB]

my understanding is that originally there were rubber washers, both at the base of the radiator and the top mountings each side of the air inlet. May well be wrong but cant see it's hurt.

[PJB]

To add - the washers I've used are the ones also used for the body to bumper mounting brackets.

[Rod1883]

Thanks again all.
The bolt is a 5/16" UNF, 4" long - it is one of the timing cover long bolts (same as used on the alternator bracket), part number BH605321.
I'm not sure about the helicoil approach as the bolt has a long plain shank with a threaded end, and the threads in the block are a long way in - I imagine doing this would involve removing the timing covers etc etc.
I'm going to get a new bolt and hope that with care, and some thread lock I can make it work to hold the clip sufficiently.

[Goldstar]

Depends what helicoil you use Rod. If you use a 2D helicoil you will be the best part of 5/8” in to the hole (probably closer to 3/4) you can pleasure the plain shank and make your mind up from there if you need to helicoil. Tbh it’s not a crime if you don’t fit that clip as long as everything is routed ok

[dasadrew]

"pleasure the plain shank?" Ohh, you are awful!!!

[Goldstar]

"pleasure the plain shank?" Ohh, you are awful!!!

No need to finish that quote Drew

[Goldstar]

Depends what helicoil you use Rod. If you use a 2D helicoil you will be the best part of 5/8” in to the hole (probably closer to 3/4) you can measure the plain shank and make your mind up from there if you need to helicoil. Tbh it’s not a crime if you don’t fit that clip as long as everything is routed ok