Do I have an aftermarket radiator?

[Bryan]

I attempted to replace my lower radiator hose last night and the replacement hose I bought didnt fit. I took it back to a different NAPA this morning and he looked it up again and told me I had the right part!! It just flat out doesnt fit nor did they stock anything even close to the one that came off!! I ended up cutting about an inch and a half off the hose and got it to fit, although not too well. The problem is that my lower radiator outlet doesn't stick straight out at a 90 degree angle from the radiator, it points up at about a 45 degree angle. Is this standard? I have to think that this is an aftermarket/replacement readiator or something??

[Marvins_Dog]

Must be an *incorrect* aftermarket Bryan. Both my original and 4 core replacement have a straight 90 deg. outlet on the lower.

[Bryan]

thanks for confirming my suspicions Nick. Although my radiator is in good working order I have been tossing around the idea of a 4 core. Anyone looking for a good (although odd) radiator?

[ibnfe]

Both my stock and new 4 core replacement radiators have the 45 degree lower hose fittings. I have the new hoses too, and will be installing the rad and hoses this weekend. If I run into a problem I will post it, but it looks like they will fit no problem.

[Lindel]

All 3 (the 2 I presently have, and the one 87 GW in the sky) had/have the 45 degree outlet, and any replacement (2) radiators have also had the 45 degree outlet.

[nfroio]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bryan:
I took it back to a different NAPA this morning and he looked it up again and told me I had the right part!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It could also be that the NAPA guy is incorrect about what part you really need, there was a discussion about NAPA and other big box auto parts stores, with the consensus being that they generally have their heads up their butts....

but, a 4 core would be great as well, but if you're radiator is in good shape, I would try to go to a small local store, they may have a better clue as to what you are looking for, and may actually save you alot of time and money..

just a thought..

[gbarrett]

I replaced all the hoses and belts on my 84 GW before our trip. The counter person brought me the wrong hoses and alt. belt. He told me that I must be mistaken, after all his computer told him that what he brought me was correct, then tried to convince me that Wagoneers didn't come with a 360 or 5.9l engine. I called for the manager or someone over the age of 18 to assist me. Turns out the first counter person pulled up "Wagoneer" not "Grand Wagoneer" - there is a difference.

[Mud Thrasher]

My old and new rad. has the 45 degree angle but I ran into some trouble when I bought a new lower hose about a week or two ago. The one they gave me was too long. Instead of going back and fighting with them I just took out my trusty knife and cut the sucker till it fit. In cases like this sometimes it's better just to handle it yourself.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

All FSJ's with any AMC motor bottom radiator fitting came out at a 45 degree upward angle, from 1970 to 1991. The only radiators that had a straight 90 was Jeeps with the Buick, and I believe the Vigilante, Hurricane, ect engines ;)

[Bob Barry]

I've seen the 45º bottom outlet on my '78, '79 and '88.

Usually the hose is too long to fit; I believe it is designed as a "cut-to-fit" replacement part. After all, it's simply a hose with a single 90º bend, so I'm sure Gates and the others cover a bunch of different applications that would use such a hose with a single part number.

[Bryan]

In my experience the NAPA guys are the best of the box store bunch, but your right they often dont know anything beyond what their trusty computer tells them. So, the question now is: What is the correct part number for this hose??? As I said before I cut the other one untill it fit but it does have a slight kink in it. I would like one that has no kink in it and that fits exactly. Does anyone make such an item??? I really hate to call the dealer because they will probably charge me $50 bucks or something just for the hose!!