Radiator top hose, installed humped or flat?

[nograin]

I've seen the radiator top hose on the AMC v-8 installed two ways.
Humped is where the hose goes high above the fan and then down to the radiator inlet.
Flat is where the hose turns to runs flat halfway across the rear of the AC compressor (if equiped) and then two 45 degree turns flat to radiator inlet.
Most of the aftermarket hoses I've had will fit either way.

So which is factory correct?
I have an opinion, but what I'd really like to see is some proof. Proof like a photo in factory literature (not the vague line drawings of the MR 253!) or photo from an engine compartment thats never been serviced...

Side view showing hump (note this hose is not a great fit, the Dayco is better)


Front view of high humped install


Front view of flat install

[SOLSAKS]

top radiator hose

good question

mine is a flat install
it clears the fan shroud

i have ran into this with other vehicles.
( diff bends with diff hose companies )

both will work but
usually one is a better fit

[Heep-J4000]

Have a universal ribbed hose on mine and there was no problem with fitting it on!

[ShagWagon]

If the auto part stores only put an arrow on the thing we wouldn't have this problem....

[nograin]

Ya mean like this.

OK. The arrow is not on the hose in real life...but that would be cool.
I suspect the hoses have multiple applications which is why some fit ours better than others.

The illustration is from the 1977 Service Manual.
This makes me think the factory install was flat.
Also having the hose go higher than the top tank just seems wrong. If there is an air pocket anywhere it should be at the fill cap.

[nograin]

Here's an '85 GW sold by B-J with only 55K miles. Definately original unrestored; of course that doesn't mean hoses and belts weren't replaced but until we find some new engine bay photos...

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1985-JEEP-GRAND-WAGONEER-WAGON-81257

[rang-a-stang]

I would think it should be flat. The humped way looks like it could come close to rubbing on the bottom of the hood.

Mine is flat also, though it was like that when I bought it, and I have no idea how many miles are on mine.
(this is my engine when I bought it, don't hate on the spaghetti that is all over the place. I have cleaned up my wires, vacuum lines, hoses, but don't have a better picture showing the lay of the upper hose.)

[WrenchMonkey]

Interesting debate. Mine is definitely universal ribbed flex line that has a definitive hump. Clears the fan, does what it needs to do but I agree with whoever said that it just doesn't seem to make sense to have any of the coolant lines above the level of the radiator.

[rang-a-stang]

The more I think about it, I think flat makes the most sense. Someone call me wrong (because I think I am):

I would think you want the "highest" part of your cooling system to be the top of your radiator so if any air/steam pockets form, they will form at the pressure release and be vented to the overflow tank. I would think if there is a hump in your hose, it would collect there. Or would the flow coming out of the TStat neck push any air pockets to the radiator? Hm....

[nograin]

Gonna call you right Rang-a-stang and wrench monkey too.

Also having the radiator fill cap as the high spot makes it easier to fill and refill the system without trapping air. Some cars today are a real pain to refill after servicing anything related to cooling system.

I just tried to write the first post in a way that would allow the humped hose advocates a place to make their case. Apparently there aren't any (yea I know not very scientific and all that)

This all started because I let my buddy's shop install an engine I had rebuilt. A bunch of things didn't look right including the humped radiator hose and the way they then had run ignition wires both under and over it...

Anyway, its kindof fun to figure out how it originally looked regardless of whether we choose to replicate it or not. In this case, I'm going back to flat and I think that's what AMC did.

[JeepJeepster]

Yup, it goes flat. Ours is humped and its hitting the hood

But do you have the pris rubber sleeve that goes over the hose to protect it laying on the compressor. I do!

[WrenchMonkey]

lol, what compressor?

[nograin]

I've seen pictures with that sleeve and others without. But no, long gone if it ever was. Just looked in the parts book and its not showing as a seperate item. Maybe it only came on '87 and up.

[Fireball327]

The hose was flat ,the sleeve came on the original hose from the factory and was not a seperate replaceable service part. If you bought a replacement hose from AMC it was sometimes on the hose and sometimes not.

[JeepJeepster]

I grabbed a sleeve from an 89 in a JY to put on our 89 that didnt have one.