Water Manifold Rail Coolant Hose too Big?

[UPFINN]

I just replaced the two little coolant hoses for the water manifold rails on top of the engine. I used 1 3/4 hose. For the gaskets, I cut them out of a sheet of blue rubber coolant gasket material.

When I took the hoses off and scraped off some of the old paint, it said they were 1 5/8.

Has anyone used 1 3/4 hose with success? I really don't want to buy a foot of 1 5/8 for just 4 inches of hose and take the manifold rails off again. The 1 3/4 hose was hard to get on and imagine the 1 5/8 will be worse.

Also, what is the torque on the bolts? I'm pretty sure it is around 14 ft/lbs judging by a bolt size torque chart.

 

[cattlerepairman]

I just did mine - you are right, they are 1 5/8. The 1 3/4 will fit and the clamp will be able to keep it sealed (several members have done that). If you decide to re-do it, I have some leftover new 1 5/8 blue hose and I can cut you two pieces if you can wait for the mail to arrive.

 

[Jeepsinker]

That's funny. I was going to make the same offer. I replaced all my hoses except the lower radiator hose with blue silicone hose. Expensive, sure. Will it last longer? Absolutely.

 

[UPFINN]

I went to town to get more hose. NAPA and Auto Value were closed but Auto zone and Orileys were open.

The last time I bought hose at Orileys I got it cut to size. I had a coolant leak which I patched with a beer can on the way home hauling lumber. It was an emergency and I measured the hoses on the truck and bought the 2" hose for everything else and 1.75" for the manifold. It was standard gates "yellow stripe" hose. The next hose up in quality was the green stripe hose, then silicone which was twice the price.

They will not cut it anymore, you have to buy the whole 3ft piece for $44. Napa and Auto Value sell it too but won't cut to size. I ended up getting the hose.

Now I need to decide if I should run the truck like it is, use the hose I bought (it matches), or have someone send me silicone hose, even though it won't match the yellow stripe stuff in the rest of the system.

 

[gimpyrobb]

If you re-do the hoses, take the valve covers off. You will not believe how easy the coolant manifolds go on.

 

[UPFINN]

If you re-do the hoses, take the valve covers off. You will not believe how easy the coolant manifolds go on.

I was thinking of doing that. Will I need a replacement gasket for it? Actually, my valves should be adjusted soon anyway.

 

[Jeepsinker]

You should be able to reuse your valve cover gaskets. They are quite resilient. You will need more water manifold gaskets though.

 

[UPFINN]

You should be able to reuse your valve cover gaskets. They are quite resilient. You will need more water manifold gaskets though.

I already replaced the hoses and cut new gaskets. I am just worried the 1 3/4 hoses will leak. It is bolted on now. If I redo it, the gaskets should be ok.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Once the motor warms up(and coolant) those hoses will leak. Save yourself the mess and change them now.

 

[UPFINN]

I was able to get two short pieces of 1 5/8 hose at auto value and changed them this evening. Soaking the hoses in hot water and lubricating with silicone made them go on easy.

The gaskets looked ok when I pulled the manifolds off. One ripped because I pinched it while wiggling the manifolds off, but I had an extra.

Is it safe to re-use the rubber/cellulose manifold gaskets? I had just cut and installed them a few weeks ago. They looked a big squished and wet but were not cracked or peeling.

 

[Jeepsinker]

I wouldn't reuse them. Too easy and cheap to replace with new. Don't burn up a motor for $1.00 worth of gasket.

 

[UPFINN]

I wouldn't reuse them. Too easy and cheap to replace with new. Don't burn up a motor for $1.00 worth of gasket.

Around 700 miles later and everything is fine

 

[jkcondrey]

old post I know, but with my truck that I got recently these hoses are needing to be replaced. How much coolant do you need to drain off in order to pull the manifolds without making a huge mess?

 

[gimpyrobb]

Just setup your shopvac in wet mode and vacuum while pulling them off.