Adding to my issues with replacing my radiator on my '66 Toronado is that I'm finding that the "lower" hose neck on my original radiator is 1 1/2" but new hoses are 1 3/4". I have had 2 new hoses now, the first one, a corrugated Dayco, was 1 3/4" and the 2nd hose, a continental elite molded hose, was also 1 3/4". The old one I took off was a corrugated hose and was also 1 3/4" and the neck had a small 3" section of 1 1/2" hose on to accommodate (take up the difference), of the bigger 1 3/4" old hose. My question now is, why are the new hoses larger at the neck end or is it that my original radiator, has been repaired at some time and a smaller lower neck added for some unknown reason?

 

Manufacturers of replacement parts want to minimize costs so they can maximize profits. There is very little profit in parts for cars that are over half a century old, especially ones that are not popular to restore, so they try to make one P/N accommodate as many different applications as possible. In this case, a readily available bushing solves the diameter problem.

 

Ok, great, so where can I get one of these bushings?,,,

 

Type radiator hose bushing into Google.

 

Toronado lower hose diameters are different at radiator end between 66-69 and 70-77. Bushing is your best bet. It's a workaround and another leak point, but you do what you must.

You might also want to check with www.fusick.com and see if they can furnish a correct reproduction hose instead of fooling with that one-size-fits-none flex hose mess.

 

Yes, the continental molded hose i got is of good quality but needs the bushing/reducer. Gates makes them but none of my local parts places, auto zone, advance, auto, NAPA, O'Reilly, etc. has it in stock, not a common asked-for item I would guess. but thanks to the dying mom and pop parts stores that are still in business, I found one that had it on the shelf and for a lesser price than the competitors online and I don't have to wait to get it shipped,,,

 

The hoses (top and bottom) on my 68 are from fusick. No fitment issues.

 

The top hose on my '66 Toronado is fine, both the radiator and the intake H2O fitting are the same at 1 1/2", I found it easy to buy that hose off the shelf at most parts stores,,,

 

I have a 70 W30 car.Someone changed the water pump, and put on a 71 pump, which is the smaller hose, maybe someone put a different year pump on?