Coolant Hose Issues...

Dodger · 09-21-2010, 07:05 AM

Ok so in my crazy International 4700 project I have come accross a bad radiator. I was considering getting it fixed, but the steel header tank is shot. So a buddy gave me a four core Frieght Liner FL70 radiator that fit just fine in my truck. The issue is that the radiator inlet and outlet lines are 2". My trucks upper outlet is 2.25" and the lower inlet is 3". The upper is not a problem, but how do I go from 3" to 2". I canont find a hose or coupling that size. Any suggestioins? Thanks?

Dodger

Bob86ZZ4 · 09-21-2010, 07:15 AM

These are all inside diameter of the hose, right? I'll make some calls and see what I can find.

Doc Weaver · 09-21-2010, 07:16 AM

On a smaller scale, some of my hot rod buddies use aluminum pipe with rubber hose on each end. If you did this, you could possibly use a 2.5" pipe with a 1/2 inch up on one side and a 1/2 inch down on the other. I haven't tried it personally, but maybe you could perfect the idea.

blizzardND · 09-21-2010, 08:55 AM

Back in my kit-car engineering days, we would make a "radiator tube" out of a coat hanger, then take it to the muffler shop and have them bend us a prototype out of galvanized muffler pipe to match the hanger, then a 4" hose connector hose with a pair of hose clamps on opposite directions (don't forget to rough up the tube with sandpaper) and bingo instant transfer line.

Now days muffler shops stock stainless steel so for a few dollars more you never have to worry 'bout rust out.

upon re-reading your OP

They can expand one end or the other to upsize a short "adapter" for you.

I also have been known to take my original rad hoses back behind the counter at the NAPA store and "shop" for something that works even if I have to chop both ends off.

-blizz

volvoman · 09-21-2010, 07:09 PM

may want to think about how much coolant flow loss going down to 2" hoses. what engine did freightliner have?

Radman · 09-21-2010, 08:36 PM

Blizz,

“Kit Car Days”...see it is a sickness. The truck conversion is just a much larger version of a Kit Car. It never leaves your body; it sometimes goes dormant for a few years and the shows up again in a slightly different flavor. Maybe restoring and racing vintage motorcycles or something like that, but who knows?

Bottom line...I love the Kit Car - coat hanger story...been there and done that too.

Rad

Doc Weaver · 09-22-2010, 06:01 AM

I never thought of it as a big kit car. Very insightful.

Dodger · 09-22-2010, 11:10 AM

Ok, thanks for all the great advice, I went to midas, and for 20 bucks they made me an awsome upper and lower pipe. I have to bring the lower pipe to have it bent a little more. As far as proper coolant flow, my truck has a DT360, and the truck the radiator came from was a 5.9 Cummins. My upper engine outlet is only 2.25" OD, the radiator is 2" ID, so they are almost the same size. For what ever reason International made the lower engine inlet 3" OD. From what I understand it can not move anymore coolant than the upper outlet can move.

Dodger

09-21-2010, 07:05 AM	#1
Dodger Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 80	Ok so in my crazy International 4700 project I have come accross a bad radiator. I was considering getting it fixed, but the steel header tank is shot. So a buddy gave me a four core Frieght Liner FL70 radiator that fit just fine in my truck. The issue is that the radiator inlet and outlet lines are 2". My trucks upper outlet is 2.25" and the lower inlet is 3". The upper is not a problem, but how do I go from 3" to 2". I canont find a hose or coupling that size. Any suggestioins? Thanks? Dodger __________________ 1994 International 4700 powered by a DT360 (soon to be the new home for my ambualnce box), 1991 E350 7.3l IDI Diesel Road Rescue Ambulance towing my 24ft Trail-lite camper

09-21-2010, 07:15 AM	#2
Bob86ZZ4 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 908	These are all inside diameter of the hose, right? I'll make some calls and see what I can find. __________________ '03 Freightliner FL112, 295" wheel base, with '03 United Specialties 26' living quarters, single screw, Cat C12 430 h/p 1650 torque, Eaton 10speed , 3.42 rear axle ratio

09-21-2010, 07:16 AM	#3
Doc Weaver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 380	On a smaller scale, some of my hot rod buddies use aluminum pipe with rubber hose on each end. If you did this, you could possibly use a 2.5" pipe with a 1/2 inch up on one side and a 1/2 inch down on the other. I haven't tried it personally, but maybe you could perfect the idea. __________________ Doc Weaver '98 Freightliner FL60 pseudo toy hauler

09-21-2010, 08:55 AM	#4
blizzardND Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Fargo ND Posts: 252	Back in my kit-car engineering days, we would make a "radiator tube" out of a coat hanger, then take it to the muffler shop and have them bend us a prototype out of galvanized muffler pipe to match the hanger, then a 4" hose connector hose with a pair of hose clamps on opposite directions (don't forget to rough up the tube with sandpaper) and bingo instant transfer line. Now days muffler shops stock stainless steel so for a few dollars more you never have to worry 'bout rust out. upon re-reading your OP They can expand one end or the other to upsize a short "adapter" for you. I also have been known to take my original rad hoses back behind the counter at the NAPA store and "shop" for something that works even if I have to chop both ends off. -blizz __________________ 2001 GMC 6500 Topkick, 22' box, dropped frame, designed to fit into a 9' garage door. 3126 CAT 6spd Man Lo-Pro 19.5's w/ 3.07 rear axle ratio

09-21-2010, 07:09 PM	#5
volvoman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Rockford Il Posts: 241	may want to think about how much coolant flow loss going down to 2" hoses. what engine did freightliner have? __________________

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09-21-2010, 08:36 PM	#6
Radman Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MO Posts: 93	Blizz, “Kit Car Days”...see it is a sickness. The truck conversion is just a much larger version of a Kit Car. It never leaves your body; it sometimes goes dormant for a few years and the shows up again in a slightly different flavor. Maybe restoring and racing vintage motorcycles or something like that, but who knows? Bottom line...I love the Kit Car - coat hanger story...been there and done that too. Rad __________________ T2000 Complete (but never finished)

09-22-2010, 06:01 AM	#7
Doc Weaver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 380	I never thought of it as a big kit car. Very insightful. __________________ Doc Weaver '98 Freightliner FL60 pseudo toy hauler

09-22-2010, 11:10 AM	#8
Dodger Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 80	Ok, thanks for all the great advice, I went to midas, and for 20 bucks they made me an awsome upper and lower pipe. I have to bring the lower pipe to have it bent a little more. As far as proper coolant flow, my truck has a DT360, and the truck the radiator came from was a 5.9 Cummins. My upper engine outlet is only 2.25" OD, the radiator is 2" ID, so they are almost the same size. For what ever reason International made the lower engine inlet 3" OD. From what I understand it can not move anymore coolant than the upper outlet can move. Dodger __________________ 1994 International 4700 powered by a DT360 (soon to be the new home for my ambualnce box), 1991 E350 7.3l IDI Diesel Road Rescue Ambulance towing my 24ft Trail-lite camper

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