Coolant Hoses

[87e30]

What are you guys using for coolant hoses?

My radiator hoses (e36 rad and m52) are good.

But I'm using the older m20 reservoir and it's currently just flopping around.
Also the hoses for the heater core are all messed up.

I seem to have a small inconsistant coolant leak and really need to get these things cleaned up.

What are your suggestions?

[Adrian_Visser]

Well I just found out that an e34 upper rad hose is too short to fit (after cutting the other end of it so I can't return it now) So that's out.

I plan on just buying 2 generic 1 1/2" dia. hoses with a 90 degree bend that are longer than needed and cutting them to fit.

As for heater hosing I used the e30 stuff which had the preformed bends and thermostat bypass thing (not really sure what the hell it does actually) and a little piece of 3/4" heater hose. I have no idea how it is going to work yet though.

[87e30]

What did people do for the reservoir? Where did you mount it, what hoses did you use, etc?

[Wh33lhop]

I've got an E30 325 rad (soon to be E36 mishimoto) with IIRC E36 upper hose and an E34 lower hose, stock up top and cut a bit in the bottom. I just ran the spider hose to the coolant reservoir, it baaaarely fit but the reservoir is just sitting there, it's not able to properly reach the correct position. To do it properly I'll have to get an extension or something for the spider hose, maybe a 90 degree elbow and extension.

[Adrian_Visser]

I used the e30 reservoir hose and mated it to the nipple on the OBDII metal coolant pipe that replaces the spider hose. My coolant reservoir is in the normal position it popped in no problem. Why not just go buy a 3/4" plastic barbed plumbing coupling and use some 3/4" heater hose to make it fit?

[87e30]

I'll have to look at how the reservoir ties into the coolant system. But you're saying I can just link it in anywhere and get the correct length hose to mount it anywhere I want?

Then go to a local parts store and find something that will work for the heater core pipes.

My rad hoses seem to work just fine, I may replace them just for the hell of it, but they aren't a concern.


So this really is very simple. Buy coolant, buy like 4 hoses, and fix it up.

[Adrian_Visser]

Well if you have a metal spider hose the original e30 hose from the reservoir will fit onto it if you chop a bit off. It isn't a perfect fit since there are several bends in the hose but it isn't kinked or anything and you will never see it with the MAF and filter on there so who cares.

... Wait I just clued in you don't have a late model cooling system do you? Is your coolant reservoir on the passenger side of the car?

[87e30]

I'm going to go take a couple pictures really quick... I'm using some late model, some early model, some obd1 m50.

I think I'm forgetting some details since I got the swap running.

[87e30]

Okay, I now see that the reservoir just attaches into a metal line. I could therefore get the appropriate hose and route it wherever I want. I'll have to look through some engine bay threads. I'm not quite sure how I would route it over to the pass side though, do people usually go around the back by the firewall? But then you have the exhaust in the way... I don't think I have room in the front.

Here is my bay, looks terrible. Advice to clean it up, go:

[Lakis]

which fan exactly is that?

That picture really helps me btw, so thanks.

I live at super high altitude, MUST have a fan. How is your setup working ? I mean, with the fan mounted to the left like that.

Can I also ask what sort of mounts did you use for the reservoir? Custom or did you buy a specific part.

Thanks
JOHN K

[etxxz]

i went to advanced auto parts. Found ONE $10 hose that had two separate sections with a 90deg bend each and bought it. Cut it at home and hot this:

[img]shit my host site is offline! lol anyways you get the idea[\img]