Hello all, I hope you are doing well. I need to order radiator hoses for the 68 Olds Delmont 88 (455 in). . I also want to replace the small hose that runs from the water pump to the thermostat (or vice versa). The closest thing on Rock Auto that I see is what is called a "Bypass Hose". Is this it? It looks like it but wanted to double check. The hose I have is around 6-1/2" long and 7/8" inside diameter.

 

The bypass hose is a "J" shaped hose that goes from the themostat housing to the water pump. Imagine the "J" being upside down. Both my '66's have them. Your measurements sound about right. They aren't particularly exotic in my experience, but are Olds-specific.

Olds eventually went to a pipe for the major (135 degree?) bend due to in service failure rates. I believe the switch to the pipe was in the early 70's so emissions may have played a role in the failure rates. If you're not all that concerned abotu originality, you might buy yourself a bit of durabilty there, just FYI. However, I've never had a bypass hose failure with the original J hose design.

When you're doing hoses, its usually a good idea to do all fresh hose clamps too. Also be very gentle with the hose connections to the heater core. They are very soft brass and love to crack at the pipe connections during hose replacement. Somewhere around here I put a hose replacement post, just in case it helps. The other might-as-wells would be a new coolant temperature sensor and fresh coolant, maybe after a flush process.

Hope that helps
cf

 

Continental 63602, a little over $2 at RockAuto.

 

Thank you. I ordered the hoses and all is well but figured out have bigger problem now. One male- type water pump connection that connect to this hose has partially rusted off - need new water pump.

Hate to ask how hard is this job for a newbie? And how much should a mechanic charge?

Lastly , are there any short term fixes that I can do in the interim so I can at least start it please?

 

Changing the water pump is easy. The hard part is GETTING the correct pump. We must get one question a month about water pump length, pulleys don't line up, blah, blah. blah. There are three different Olds water pump lengths, and nearly every vendor catalog lists them incorrectly. Be SURE to match up your old one with the new one. Also, there are two different size bolts on the pump. The smaller 1/4-20 bolts are self-tapping into the sheet metal front cover. DO NOT over-tighten them. If you strip those threads, you'll be hating life. 12-13 ft-lbs is the correct torque on the small ones.

 

Not too difficult to replace water pump; but, there are several special bolts and spacers that must be in there exact designed locations. Go SLOWLY and methodically, take pictures. Put every bolt and spacer back exactly where it was. Mark the belts to which comes of first/goes on last etc.

There are small bolts that hold the pump to the front cover, they strip easily, don't ovdrtighen them. Match/confirm the gaskets old to new.

If it's a nice restorable car, keep the old pump if it is an original vs returning it as a core.

Replace the thermostat and flush the cooling system at the same time.

Good luck!!!

 

Joe,
Are you a rocket typist? Left me in the exhaust plumes!

 

Thanks Joe - my Dad when he was alive said that he changed the pump at least 4 or 5 times. The last time was probably 20- 25 years ago however.

I checked Rock Auto and they only have only one pump available for a 68 Delmont 88 - 455 engine. I will see if the dimensions are available and correct versus your diagram..

 

Why keep the old water pump? Nah it isn't original - probably the 5 the pump.

Dumb question , for removal, where do I even start after removing the hose? Remove the radiator then fan?

 

Check the numbers cast into the pump. If its a GM pump there will be a number on the front. Some of the pumps are harder to find and desirable. If you have one of those I'm sure someone here will buy it for more than what your new one costs. Always worth checking!