Flex Hose radiator hoses

[cranetruck]

I have begun to look for new radiator hoses for the LDS465-2 engine and one shop suggested "Flex Hose", I'll have a sample available this afternoon. Has any of you any experience with this?

Upper : NSN 2930-00-045-1328
Lower : NSN 2930-00-045-1603

 

[m139h2otruck]

If you know the counter parts guys at your local auto/truck parts dealer (NAPA, etc.), make a rough wire pattern of the hose you need, with the nozzle size and ask if they will let you go out back and look over the hose rack. I have done this a number of times and been able to fit/cutup an existing formed hose from some other application to fit mine. It also will look much better than the cheap flex-fit-all box store hose.

 

[Barrman]

Don't use the flex hose. I had a brand new NAPA one fail with a little over a year of use and about 6K miles. I had it on the upper radiator to engine location.

It failed at one of the outter folds. Once I got it off, I was able to pull several of the outter folds apart with just my fingers.

 

[No.2Diesel]

Yeah that generic hose is poop. Yes it is good for simple applications like an old car or hot rod, but will not be able to hold the shape of multiple sharp bends.

Ditto on M139H20s remarks.

 

[cranetruck]

Appreciate you inputs.
This is the sample I have...no decision yet. Pretty costly at $19.00 for an 18" piece ($42.00 list).

 

[JasonS]

Mine seep at the inner diameter. They are also more expensive.

The local napa let me borrow their hose catalog which I photocopied. You can go online and check prices and pics for NAPA hoses.

 

[cranetruck]

What bothers me about the flex hose is the lack of specifications other than made by Gates in Mexico.
Weighed them, molded original hose: 27 oz
NAPA flex hose: 17 oz

This is what NAPA provides:
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPag...Number=FM59&Description=Hose+-+Radiator+Lower

Edit: Found this on a Gates site:

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=1493&location_id=1175

That looks a bit more reliable....

 

[acetomatoco]

Some of the MV dealers have nice oem hoses.. why not just replace them with the real thing.???

 

[cranetruck]

Yeah, if I can find them, Memphis has very few LDS465-2 parts.
Found out that Carquest handles the Vulco-flex hoses, about $20-25/ea depending on length.

Virtually the same part except I can look up the spec on the Gates hose..

 

[imported_Squirt-Truck]

Cranetruck,
What is so special about the 465-2 hoses that you can not use straight hose and metal bends, like the GMC's did, or the M-39 series gassers? Pre formed metal turns are a shelf item with most good hose manufacturers. Try going to Federal Hose for example. (By the way if you go with silicon hose you will never have to worry about repalacing the hard to get at ones.)
You will NOT be happy wit the flex hose....

 

[oifvet]

I run flex in my 1949 Ford with the flathead 6. It serves me well. The single bend is fairly gradual. I realize the application is different than what you are talking about. It would be good to find the flex hoses that do fit your truck. You could at least use them in an emergency, right? Keep them on hand in the BII box or someplace.
I've been told that the liquid passing through flex hose picks up turbulence and is slightly "restricted." I'm guessing it's like air/fuel mixture passing through a non-polished intake manifold. The smooth walls of the proper hose create better flow. Again, that may be more applicable and critical on high performance motors.

 

[Knucklehead]

Bjorn;

Have you considered stainless steel flex hoses.Cool-Flex and Mr. Gasket make them and once you form them they hold their shape. They come in different lengths and colors and are simple to install. I put a set on my M51A1 and I run them on my Ford Diesel PU. Check out www.jegs.com or Summitracing.com.

 

[DaveP]

dont know how good it is but my XM818 came to me with a flex on the lower radiator hose. i have put 12,000 miles on it and it's still holding. i would like to find the rite one tho.

 

[cranetruck]

Cranetruck,
What is so special about the 465-2 hoses that you can not use straight hose and metal bends, like the GMC's did, or the M-39 series gassers? Pre formed metal turns are a shelf item with most good hose manufacturers. Try going to Federal Hose for example. (By the way if you go with silicon hose you will never have to worry about repalacing the hard to get at ones.)
You will NOT be happy wit the flex hose....

The jury is still out on this one, I have no deadlines on this project, just checking the options and this forum is a perfect sounding board.

The upper hose should not be a problem, the lower one snakes its way down and then out to the radiator. The LDS465-2 is a little different in that it has the transmission oil cooler up front also. The lower hose is close to 20 inches long...

Edit: Both flex hoses have been returned and the search is on.