Radiator Hoses

[brianzero]

Hi All,

Im 'attempting' to install two radiators in my MCI-9, and  Im wondering if anyone used heater core hose for those upper return lines. It seems overly expensive and perhaps overkill to use hydraulic hose for those return lines (stock configuration). Can somebody weigh in with an opinion?

[Geoff]

I don't know why anyone would use hydraulic lines for coolant, they are actually not "proper" as they rust and are overkill.  I have small ones going to my water filter but that is because they have fittings.  The best coolant hose is silicone, then gates green stripe straight hose or equivalent, then heavy duty heater hose up to 1 1/2".

--Geoff

[brianzero]

Those things are seriously overkill. Im considering using a hose barb on the top of the radiator and using a hose barb on the coolant reservoir. Put in a section of coolant hose and be done with it, unless there is a requirement for hydraulic hose...

[Geoff]

There is no "requirement", I'm sure somebody put it on because it was handy.  What size hose are we talking about?

--Geoff

[brianzero]

Looks like 24" maximum.

[luvrbus]

Those should be Aero/Quip Aramid hose with the re usable Areo/Quip aluminum fitting on a MCI,unless they have been changed by the PO.Geoff I think those are number 10 or 12 it's been a while since I made new ones   

[Iceni John]

Hi All,

Im 'attempting' to install two radiators in my MCI-9, and  Im wondering if anyone used heater core hose for those upper return lines.

How come your radiators' return hoses are "upper" (in the top?) ?   Unless it's a crossflow radiator, the inlet is the upper and the return to the engine is the lower.   Were the old radiators installed correctly?

Yes, silicone hose is not cheap (OK, it's stunningly expensive), but it will be the last hose you'll ever have to replace.   You're only doing this job once, so use the best you can.   Just remember to use good stainless constant-tension hose clamps on any silicone hose, especially important in cold climates.

John

[brianzero]

I went to freightliner, and they had the premade coolant hoses on hand. They were $28 per hose. I lucked out.