Hey all, I just wanted to share something I found. When I put my engine in, I didn't like how I had to run the upper heater hose connection from the heater pipe on the side of the engine. I had to make a loop behind the engine in order to not kink the hose because of the sharp angles. I found a Gates part number that works well for this. It's almost a drop-in replacement; it was maybe a half inch to an inch short, but it was able to be easily attached with only a little bit of tension in it.

Gates p/n 19747, listed for a 1998-2003 Chevrolet S10/GMC Sonoma w/ 4 cylinder engine.

Hopefully this helps somebody clean up their engine compartment without resorting to NOS hoses! A cut length of straight hose worked well enough between the heater control valve and lower heater core port. It takes a little bit of twisting/positioning to make sure it doesn't kink, but works well!

Please note, zip ties around plug wires were temporary during transport of engine, don't knock 'em lol

 

Super good info - I've collected a few unmarked hoses with various bends over the past year hoping that one would work for this connection. Nice to have a specific one that fits.

 

I stumbled across a technique that works really well for this. You can get various sizes of springs that will fit well inside the hose. Bend it to the shape you need, holding it in place with zip ties, and then use a heat gun to get it nice and hot and let it cool then remove spring. It will take the shape you want extremely well.