m42 radiator guys, what top hose?

[FredK]

Guys that are running the M42 radiator, what top radiator hose are you running? It seems the stock M42 hose and the stock M50 hose are too large, and cutting them down will result in hose that is too small to fit over the fittings.

Are you just stretching the hose over the fittings?

[PiercedE30]

you could warm up the hose with a heat gun or possibly a blow dryer to help relax the rubber.

[FredK]

Yeah, it turns out that the stepped section is only around 2mm or so larger, so I think I could just stretch the rubber a little using a heat gun, and lubing the hose with some coolant before installing it. We'll see how it goes!

[e30_kid89]

for mine i had my dad "modify" the top e36 hose.....but try the m42 top hose it should fit good with some trimming

[mitch500]

so why cant you use the 87 325e rad and all the junk for the swap?

[1990m3]

i stretched my hose, it was a bitch. I hope i never have to take it apart again

[So Live]

Too bad i threw away the part number for the hose i used. Its a big L where the whole tube is the right size so it dosnt matter where you cut it. I got it at Autozone after about 20 min of looking around the back. (The guy there like bmw's too :) )

[FredK]

I stretched the E36 hose over the radiator fitting after cutting it down. Alas I cut the straight end that goes to the thermostat housing too short. FUCK.

I used half of the E36 expansion tank hose to connect the spider hose to the M42 radiator expansion tank hose.

[matt]

so why cant you use the 87 325e rad and all the junk for the swap?

Short answer: Hoses don't line up.

Long answer: You can. But none of us have, so you're on your own as to what hoses to use.

[KangamangusDriver]

I used all the stock M42 hoses.

Just a lil chowder and slip them on!

[FredK]

I used a Drive-Rite C70115 hose I got from Advance Auto. It has a 1.5" ID on both ends, and slips without using superhuman hand strength.

I did have to cut it down a bit though. Fits pretty well! The right angle bend has little to no stress on it, so the ID isn't compromised in any way.